T.D. Jakes and Regent Forge International Educational Collaboration

June 10, 2013

As part of its mission to deliver quality educational programming, Regent University has entered into a multi-faceted educational collaboration with The Potter's House, the 30,000 member church in Dallas, and TDJ Enterprises, a for-profit entity led by T.D. Jakes.

"What a privilege for Regent University to join with The Potter's House and TDJ Enterprises," said Regent president, Dr. Carlos Campo. "This relationship with T.D. Jakes provides us with an incredible opportunity to powerfully connect with a broad-based international community, and we look forward to working together on many projects."

Regent's reputation for excellence in academic programs and its capacity to manage the business side of educational programming was attractive to the leadership under the aegis of T.D. Jakes. Both The Potter's House and TDJ Enterprises currently offer an extensive array of non-credit courses, which Regent's division of Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) can now certify. "Regent University provides world-class Christian educational resources to complement our premier conferences, seminars and other content delivery systems," said Jakes, CEO of TDJ Enterprises. "This collaboration offers our faith-centric audiences a gateway to professional learning tools that advance the work of the ministry while also supporting those laymen looking to enhance their corporate leadership and entrepreneurial credentials."

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the collaboration begins with five initiatives:

—The Potter's House will be a Take 2 Through College partner. Take 2 is a scholarship, mentoring and leadership program designed to increase college enrollment and graduation rates for high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes, especially African-American and Latino men.

—Bishop Jakes will serve as a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at Regent. He will visit campus each semester for intensive leadership programs and activities in several of Regent's schools.

—Regent will provide registration and certification for The Potter's House educational programs. The Potter's House launched the first certificate offerings at its International Pastors & Leadership Conference (April 25—27) in Dallas and will continue to build its onsite presence at the highly anticipated MegaFest event also in Dallas, Aug. 29 to 31.

—The Potter's House will make Regent's online programs available to its network.

—Regent will provide Corporate Partner benefits to The Potter's House. These benefits include a tuition discount on Regent programs for Potter's House employees.

To move the collaboration forward, representatives from The Potter's House and TDJ Enterprises attended Regent's launch of Take 2 in mid-April and also met with staff from Regent PCE to begin forming plans for educational offerings.

PR/NEWS CONTACT: Mindy Hughes, Public Relations Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888 E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

School of Law Leaders Travel to New Nation of South Sudan

University of Juba.
Photo courtesy of newsudanvision.com

By Brett Wilson
July 10, 2013

When the violent storms of the 22 year-long Sudanese Civil War settled, the world's youngest nation was born. This week, as the Republic of South Sudan celebrates its two-year anniversary as an independent nation, it faces another challenge: rebuilding its identity.

South Sudan's efforts to dismiss former judicial practices steeped in Muslim faith and Sharia law and to adopt English as the official language begins at the educational level. Regent University School of Law's Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law is seeking to aid the University of Juba—a public university in South Sudan's capital city—in its beginning stages of adopting and instilling English common law into its judicial practices.

Common law is the body of law based on custom and general principles that, embodied in case law, serves as precedent or is applied to situations not covered by statute. Common law has been administered in the courts of England since the Middle Ages and is also found in the U.S. and in most of the British Commonwealth.

"The nation faces significant challenges as it seeks to build a legal system based on common law and the rule of law," said Dean Jeffrey Brauch. "We are hopeful that Regent can come alongside the University of Juba and Christian lawyers in South Sudan and support them in their efforts."

Brauch, along with law professor Craig Stern, traveled to South Sudan in June to meet with University of Juba representatives as well as members of the United Nations, the U.S. State Department and various legal non-profit groups in order to encourage the growth of the common law movement in the nation's legal education system.

"For us to have a role in this is a tremendous and marvelous thing," said Stern. "Our brothers and sisters in South Sudan are really trying to do something that our nation has had the benefit of for centuries already."

Though the relationship between Regent and the University of Juba is still in its exploratory and informative stages, the opportunities for aiding the school are vast. Stern explained that Regent's role as an international advocate will likely entail supporting the university's networking opportunities, helping teach English courses, and encouraging alumni to assist in the nation's transition.

"We don't want to be there just for the sake of being there; we want to help the University of Juba develop their ownership of common law," said Stern.

Stern explained that the future of Regent's relationship with the University of Juba will rest solely in showing solidarity as the Lord directs. Though the transitional process will be long, Stern attests that the nation's commitment to this process is "awe-inspiring."

"What impressed me the most was the need of the situation; there is a lot of room for help," said Stern. "There is a lot of opportunity to assist the youngest nation in the world and to honor their desire to have a common law system—it's really a lot of work to do."

Learn more about Regent University School of Law and the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law.

PR/NEWS CONTACT: Mindy Hughes, Public Relations Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888 E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Law School Launches Uganda Summer Program

Uganda summer program participants with local children.
Photo courtesy of David Velloney

By Brett Wilson

July 17, 2013

For Regent University School of Law students longing to fulfill the Biblical charge of "seeking justice" and "encouraging the oppressed," changing the world begins in Uganda.

This summer marked the pilot summer program as Regent partnered with Uganda Christian University (UCU), located just outside of the nation's capital city of Kampala. Students participating in this month-long program earned four credit hours toward their law degree as they studied courses in the East Africa Legal Environment and Human Rights in Africa.

"We wanted to develop a summer program for our students who want to work in East Africa," said David Velloney, School of Law adjunct faculty member and developer of the summer program. "We've seen an increase in undergraduates and older students coming to law school who are interested in social and international justice issues. This program will help all of our students be better trained in that."

Velloney credits simple awareness of the many international social justice issues—such as slavery and sex trafficking—as the catalyst for the program. Students, while learning within the East African context, have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to combat these issues that are prevalent in many East African nations.

"God is in the business of reconciling the world to Himself," said Velloney. "These are hurting, oppressed people—and helping them is on the hearts of our students because it's on the heart of God."

During the program, UCU provided administrative and logistical support, offered areas for students to study, and coordinated guest lecturers and visits to the nation's legal institutions.

"We look at Uganda Christian University as a great school to be affiliated with because they're doing things right in terms of their influence within society and their influence in training leaders for the country," said Velloney. "And they're doing it in East Africa."

Progress for the program began in February 2012—the start of the 18-month long process of beginning and accrediting the summer program. Velloney's 20-year tenure in the U.S. Army as a lawyer and his experience as a law school professor, along with his own passion for aiding oppressed peoples, prepared him for the initiation of the program.

And while it is essential for students to have a strong calling to alleviate major social justice issues in the world—whether in the United States or overseas—Velloney explained that true opportunities to make a global impact is to have the patience to learn basic legal skills.

"Develop a heart and vision for the world, but also develop your skillset now and work hard," said Velloney. "It will pay dividends down the road."

Learn more about Regent University School of Law and the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law.

PR/NEWS CONTACT: Mindy Hughes, Public Relations Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888 E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Counseling Team Serves in Ukraine

By Brett Wilson
July 25, 2013

"People have the same kinds of problems in the Ukraine that that they have here in the United States," said Regent University School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC) assistant professor Dr. Olya Zaporozhets. "But there really are no counseling services in the country."

This summer, Zaporozhets—a Ukrainian native—traveled to Tavriyskiy Christian Institute (TCI), a growing private educational institution located in Southeastern Ukraine. There, she and assistant professor Dr. Linda Leitch-Alford, piloted SPC's first training and supervision missions program for ten of TCI's undergraduate counseling students.

"It was really a growing experience for our team, to see them step out and assume supervisory roles in a cross-cultural setting," said Zaporozhets. "That was really amazing to me."

Zaporozhets and Leitch-Alford were accompanied by five team members, composed of former and current SPC students. The team spent a week with the Ukrainian students, teaching them basic counseling skills. Zaporozhets explained that this endeavor is helping to fulfill a need in the Ukrainian culture.

"Every one of them recognized that counseling skills are needed within their churches—TCI students are pursuing this education with the very slim chance of having a secular position or making any money with this degree," said Zaporozhets. "All of them are looking at applying these skills as a ministering opportunity—without getting paid."

At the week's end, the five Regent team members were assigned two TCI students each to supervise their continuing education in the counseling field throughout the 2013-2014 school year. Leitch-Alford and Zaporozhets will guide Regent's participating team members as they touch base with their supervisees once a week via Skype.

"No one has really done this before," said Zaporozhets. "Some people didn't even think that this would work out in a cross-cultural setting."

Though these long-distance supervisory methods are new, Zaporozhets explained that the enthusiasm of the Ukrainian students will sustain the program and likely encourage the genesis of similar missions programs in the future.

"They were really eager to learn and excited that someone was taking the time to train them one-on-one and explain these skills," said Zaporozhets. "They were really very appreciative."

While Leitch-Alford also acknowledged the enthusiasm of the Ukrainian students, she was impressed with the caliber of dedication from the supervisory team from SPC.

"I was watching them work, and I just kept saying to myself, 'I can't believe what I'm seeing, I can't believe I'm here, and I can't believe these students are doing these incredible tasks!'" said Leitch-Alford.

While Leitch-Alford hopes this yearlong supervisory experience will be valuable for the participating SPC students and alumni, she is also pleased with the opportunity to continue to encourage the counseling students in Ukraine.

"They're so full and rich-spirited, and they're ready—I've been telling people that the fields there are ready to harvest, but the fruits are going to rot in the field," said Leitch-Alford. "This is something that we have to do."

Learn more about Regent University School of Psychology & Counseling.

PR/NEWS CONTACT: Mindy Hughes, Public Relations Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888 E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Professor Partners with Operation Blessing in South Sudan

Children living in South Sudan.
Photo courtesy of Tyson Sadler

By Brett Wilson
August 7, 2013

Dr. Benjamin Keyes, assistant professor in Regent University's School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC), is a man who keeps his promises. When Keyes discovered the state of the nation during his travels to South Sudan in December of 2012, he vowed to return. This summer, he did—bringing $13,000 of food supplies along with him. Keyes, in partnership with Operation Blessing and Abuklui—an organization dedicated to building high schools in the nation—reached out to the women and children living in the desert-land of the Langcok Military Camp, about five kilometers outside the city of Rumbek. "Families are starving to death," said Keyes. "I saw a lot of distended bellies on small children—they were really at the serious end-stages of starvation," said Keyes, who also serves as director of Regent's Center for Trauma Studies. Keyes explained that those left behind at the camp, some 400 people, were families of the nation's military personnel. As the nation of South Sudan struggles economically, politically and socially, the members of its military have only been compensated for two months' wages throughout the past six months. They live—quite literally—one day at a time. And though the crops are growing well in soil surrounding the camp due to a season of abundant rain, Keyes explained that harvest time is still months away, and there is no source of food to keep its inhabitants alive in the meantime. "South Sudan is a country that is still walking wounded—still dealing with the atrocities of war," said Keyes. With the funds provided by Operation Blessing, corn flour, rice, beans, soap, biscuits, tea, sugar and other staples were delivered to the left-behind women and children of the camp. "You would have thought that the heavens opened up and God poured manna from the sky," said Keyes, recalling the first day of food distribution at the camp. "They sang, they praised God, they danced, they beat drums, they hugged, they kissed—it was quite amazing." This was a part of a three-day journey Keyes took around the country with the members of the Catholic diocese where he stayed, visiting leper colonies and prisons, offering prayer, counsel and food whenever possible. Despite the history of the new nation's suffering and its economic hardships, Keyes explained that the South Sudanese are a people who hold onto their faith. This is what inspires him to offer aid, and his goal is to return to South Sudan along with other members of the Trauma Team. "I love the faith that they have and that they believe they can create a better life for their children even though they have nothing," said Keyes. "Nothing except that belief, that hope that they firmly place in God." Learn more about Regent University's School of Psychology & Counseling and the Center for Trauma Studies.

PR/NEWS CONTACT: Mindy Hughes, Public Relations Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888 E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Regent Professor to Spend Semester in China

Dr. Bramwell Osula.
Photo courtesy of University Marketing

By Brett Wilson
August 14, 2013

As Regent University professors make the more traditional preparations for the upcoming school year, Dr. Bramwell Osula, associate professor in the School of Business & Leadership (SBL), has packed his suitcase and set out for an international journey. Osula will spend the fall 2013 semester abroad as he teaches at the China Youth University for Political Science (CYUPS) in Beijing, China. "This is an important cultural and teaching opportunity—a first for Regent in many ways," said Osula. "And I'm pleased to be a part of the development as the university links with the nation of China." During his semester at CYUPS, Osula will teach several courses on qualitative research methods and the sociology of youth and leadership. His efforts will be a part of Regent's division of Professional & Continuing Education (PCE), which continues to make progress in partnerships with other colleges and universities around the world. CYUPS is a higher educational institution that provides academic programs for high school graduates, as well as strategic training for political leaders in China. Regent has hosted students and faculty from CYUPS each summer for the past three years at leadership institutes on campus. Learn more about Regent University's Professional & Continuing Education.

PR/NEWS CONTACT: Mindy Hughes, Public Relations Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888 E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu