An online graduate program at UD just ranked among nation's top-20: Education roundup

Kelly Powers, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·5 min read

Death, school taxes, University of Delaware in the news.

These could be considered the new constants. Tuesday is set to bring Brandywine School District to a referendum vote — the first of six school districts headed to the polls this spring alone, looking to increase revenue, fuel projects and keep pace. We made a breakdown for keeping track of upcoming school funding referenda.

Over in Newark, the University of Delaware is celebrating new rankings for its online programs.

This joins a turbulent last week of announcing new budget tightening measures, alongside bracing for discussion of a possible "per-student tax" and lease tax on UD being considered by the city of Newark.

In other news, the state is looking for sponsors to help feed kids in need this summer. And, DCAD students just landed an impressive new technology center.

In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on these and other education updates you may have missed:

[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.]

University of Delaware online graduate program ranks among nation's top 20

From left, Emilia Cortale-Vallejos and Patrick Tiamson, residence life and housing assistants, take inventory during first-year students move-in weekend at the University of Delaware's South Academy Hall in Newark, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. More than 4,000 first-year students arrived on campus for Move-in Weekend and the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.

Several graduate programs at UD just landed top spots in national rankings of higher education — and this time they're all online.

The university's online master's in education ranked No. 19, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best Online Programs, showing out among over 300 schools. Its online MBA programs moved up four spots to No. 29 out of 345 programs, "eclipsing other Philadelphia region business schools," the university said in a recent press release.

In a new ranking for Delaware's largest university, UD’s online master’s in information technology programs ranked No. 50. UD's online master’s in engineering programs ranked No. 65, and the online master’s in nursing programs ranked No. 133.

"A graduate degree is a valuable and desirable credential in many fields," said Louis Rossi, dean of the Graduate College and vice provost for graduate and professional education, in a statement.

U.S. News' general methodology has come under fire as of late. Last year, more than a dozen medical schools and more than 40 law schools ranked in the span of a few months announced they would no longer provide information to the outlet, which has ranked such programs since 1983. Debate there continues.

Regardless, as Rossi's statement continued: "It's great to have our efforts recognized in this way. … We expect to see our rankings continue to rise as we continue to devote ourselves to online learners through exceptional programs that serve them where they are.”

More UD: Newark wants to collect taxes on University of Delaware students in the city

ICYMI last week: Want degrees from Delaware State and UD? Engineers take notice: Education roundup

Delaware College of Art and Design marks grand opening of student tech center

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"Connecting exploration and education, fostering collaboration and experimentation" — the Delaware College of Art and Design has launched its new Student Technology Center.

And from 3D printing to laser cutting, to computers, cameras and VR with gravity sketch modeling software: It sounds like a creative's paradise.

"The Student Technology Center is a testament to DCAD's commitment to providing cutting-edge resources for our students, cultivating a dynamic environment for creativity, collaboration and innovation," President Jean Dahlgren said in a press release ahead of the recent opening, also noting the project's fuel in a grant from the Crystal Trust Foundation.

A multifunctional space, including "The Vault," is set to serve as a gathering spot for students, with furniture, a large smart TV, an Oculus 3D VR system and open computers. A writer’s studio area also joins several features looking to foster some creative expression.

Gallery open: He didn't just usher in Black Studies at UD. James Newton leaves an artistic legacy

Department of Education seeks sponsors, sites for feeding kids this summer

Summer means no school, right? But for many students, school is also the one place for consistent meals.

One program targets children in lower-income areas each year, aiming to ensure they have meals during these warmer months. Right now, that Summer Food Service Program is seeking sponsors and meal sites to provide them.

Sponsors are reimbursed for all meals served free at approved sites, per the federally funded program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture nationally.

Who should hear this?

  • Sponsors: Sponsors can be units of local government, camps, schools or private nonprofit organizations.

  • Meal sites: Individual sites like camps, housing complexes, community centers, parks and homes are eligible. Sponsors would prepare and deliver the meals to the site (some locations may be served by a food truck, depending on availability). A site supervisor is required.

  • Children: Those 18 and younger can receive free meals and snacks. Meals and snacks also are available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs.

Sponsors and sites will receive training and continued support from DDOE. More details on eligibility are available online.

Next read: Next steps unclear for Delaware nonprofit aiming to give students 'Shoes That Fit'

Milltown school shows up for Delaware in national vocabulary competition

More than 380,000 students, from some 2,100 K-12 schools across the United States and Canada, battled for "word domination," in the 9th-annual Vocabulary Bowl in late 2023. St. John the Beloved Catholic School proved to be Delaware's state champion, mastering over 6,000 words throughout the competition, according to Vocabulary.com.
More than 380,000 students, from some 2,100 K-12 schools across the United States and Canada, battled for "word domination," in the 9th-annual Vocabulary Bowl in late 2023. St. John the Beloved Catholic School proved to be Delaware's state champion, mastering over 6,000 words throughout the competition, according to Vocabulary.com.

More than 380,000 students, from some 2,100 K-12 schools across the United States and Canada, battled for "word domination," in the ninth annual Vocabulary Bowl late last year.

Now, the results are in. St. John the Beloved Catholic School in Milltown proved to be Delaware's state champion, mastering over 6,000 words throughout the competition, according to Vocabulary.com.

The platform tracks the progress of participating teachers and students. Students enrolled in classes sign in online and master as many words as they can through learning activities on the website. As the site sees it, the Vocabulary Bowl allows educators to "personalize instruction, boost literacy skills and inject competitive spirit into education."

The next bowl is already in season.

Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: University of Delaware online grad programs boost in national rankings