Changing Modalities of an Unchanging Identity
Over the past five years, the Eastern community has experienced remarkable growth as we’ve ventured further into the online world. The University now offers more than 70 online programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Our student body has tripled since 2019, largely due to our growth in online programs. “Affordable excellence” has become the banner of our innovative LifeFlex programs, which have made a high-quality, faith-based education more accessible to thousands of students.
While growth is exciting, several important questions ground us with every new enrollment milestone we exceed: How are we maintaining Eastern’s identity, faith, and values in the online space? How do we remain true to our founders’ vision of a Christ-centered, world changing education, no matter the format?
The six ministers who founded Eastern envisioned an institution that was “conservative, yet progressive.” This spirit—faithful to the gospel, yet forward-thinking in its approach—is exactly what shapes our online expansion today.
Far from diminishing our mission, online learning has challenged us to reimagine new ways to bring faith to life in our digital spaces. As instructors design online courses, they walk through training and attend creative workshops that focus on principles of faith integration.
“At Eastern, instructional design goes beyond simply deciding what to teach. It involves a deliberate and thoughtful approach to integrating theological thinking and diverse theological perspectives into course content. In the online space, this looks different from program to program. Some instructors create standalone faith integration videos that dive deeper into theological concepts related to their fields of study. Others weave together concepts of their discipline with concepts of the Christian faith in every lecture. Students often report that these videos are some of the most meaningful moments of reflection and purpose during their time at Eastern.”
Dr. Eloise Meneses, Chair of the Faculty Committee on Faith Integration, shares, “Our committee runs several workshops a year to discuss creative ways faith can be integrated into our on-ground and online spaces. This approach has strengthened our faculty’s commitment to faith integration and highlighted their care for their students’ faith development.”
“I’ve loved connecting with faculty, staff, and fellow students through great discussions and networking events. I think these opportunities definitely increase the feeling of connection for me as an online student at Eastern.”
As our commitment to faith integration continues to shape the classroom experience, Eastern is also creating online spaces beyond the virtual classroom where faith and purpose meet. Many of our community’s personal, spiritual, and professional development opportunities have been adapted into formats that serve online students, such as the streaming and recording of weekly chapel services, university-wide daily morning prayer offered over Zoom, and an invitation for students around the world to send digital prayer requests to the Office of Faith and Practice.
Additionally, the Center for Career Development hosts a variety of networking events for online students that encourage relationship building, vocation exploration, career development, and connection to the Eastern legacy. Many of these events take place on a gamelike platform that allows students to move freely about a virtual space and participate in group or one-on-one conversations.
“Each interaction offers our online students a personal connection to the Eastern community. These experiences help grow our students' professional networks, which not only support them in the long run, but shape Eastern’s great legacy in the workplace and world.”
Expanding into the online world has opened the door to a wealth of diverse stories, perspectives, and communities that go beyond our founders’ vision. This past year, Palmer launched new cohort programs in both Cuba and South Korea, and since fall 2025, our online learners represent more than 58 countries. Through our global online reach, Eastern’s vision, mission, and values are being lived out across nearly every continent, uniting students through a shared commitment to faith, learning, and community.
As Eastern continues to grow in reach and impact, our foundation remains the same. Each new online student, course, and program is not a departure from who we are, but a fuller expression of the mission our founders set in motion. Online learning has not compromised Eastern’s identity, but rather, has expanded, deepened, and strengthened it.