NOVA Online Up Close: NOL’s Role Within NOVA’s Organizational Structure

Have you ever wondered, “how does NOVA Online fit into NOVA’s Academic Structure”? If so, you are not alone! NOVA Online (NOL) is not a campus, and, as such, it does not have its own provost, academic deans or faculty. Instead, it operates under the Office of Academic Affairs and functions as a distinct administrative entity within the College. NOL’s primary role is to provide specialized expertise and resources that support NOVA’s six campuses and the Information and Engineering Technologies (IET) Division, offering asynchronous, online education solutions that meet the diverse needs of our Nighthawks.

Collaboration with Pathway Deans
Although NOVA Online is not a campus, its role is deeply integrated into the overall academic structure of NOVA. A key aspect of this integration is NOVA Online’s collaboration with the pathway deans, who oversee course content and the development of course templates in partnership with discipline groups. Pathway deans play a critical role in ensuring that online courses align with the VCCS’s Common Curriculum and academic standards of each pathway. Pathway deans, in collaboration with discipline chairs, select both the courses for redesign and the faculty course developers, designating experienced, trained faculty to work closely with NOVA Online. This process ensures that courses maintain academic rigor, meet student needs and achieve consistency across campuses.

Collaborating with Academic Deans and Associate Deans
In addition to course content, NOVA Online works with academic deans and associate deans to create class schedules and ensure proper staffing for online courses. This collaboration is essential in making sure that the online course offerings are consistent with the on-campus schedule, and that faculty are available and trained to teach in the online environment.

The responsibility for staffing and scheduling ultimately rests with the academic deans and associate deans, who make the decisions on course offerings, faculty assignments and the allocation of resources. NOVA Online provides the necessary infrastructure and support to enable these decisions to happen smoothly, ensuring that all online courses are staffed appropriately and meet the needs of students.

Collaborating and Supporting Faculty
NOVA Online works hard to foster a positive and supportive relationship with faculty, extending beyond just providing resources and infrastructure. Through coaching, guidance and training, NOVA Online equips faculty with the tools and support they need to thrive in the online teaching environment. Faculty feedback and input are essential in shaping NOVA Online’s work, helping to ensure that the support and resources provided align with faculty needs for delivering high-quality courses effectively. While accountability for faculty performance remains with their direct supervisor—just as it does on NOVA’s campuses—NOVA Online collaborates closely with faculty to promote their success.

Stay tuned for the next NOVA Online Up Close, where we will explore the history and future of NOVA Online’s Policies and Procedures, examining how these guidelines have evolved to support our online community and what’s on the horizon to enhance the online learning experience further.

Submitted by:
Dr. Cynthia Pascal, Assoc. VP of NOVA Online, CPascal@nvcc.edu