Thriving in Challenging Times

During a time of economic and public health challenges, the University of Pikeville, in partnership with Bit Source, offered a free online course that provided valuable insight and knowledge on how to thrive in challenging times. This experience was designed to help community members strengthen skills for workforce success while earning college credit, free of charge.

“I believe the Thrive course gave participants a sense of hope in the midst of such challenging times,” said Assistant Professor of Communication and Assistant Director of the First-Year Experience James R. Briscoe, Ph.D. “No one could have predicted that the world would be engulfed with a pandemic, let alone our region be affected by something with a magnitude such as this.”

Uniquely, the four-week course aimed to expand the knowledge of participants in skills that are particularly important in today’s business climate. In addition to a hallmark course in digital literacy, participants could choose three of the four remaining modules, which included interviewing basics, leadership, personal finance and career planning and exploration to complete the three-credit-hour course.

The course was met with better-than-expected success, with 213 people enrolling before class began in May. Of the active participants enrolled, 66 percent were from distressed counties in Kentucky. The course provided opportunities for participants to engage with materials and exercises that fostered skill sets that will assist them in pursuing their vocations and betterment of lives. “

We had participants from across the region and in various other states as well. Throughout the course’s term, we received numerous messages from participants sharing their stories on how the course helped them during these troubling times. It is my belief that if we were able to assist and bring a sense of purpose to even one participant, then we fulfilled our goal for this course,” said Briscoe.

As an institution of higher education, UPIKE focuses on educating not only prospective high school students and graduate students, but also community members and advocates for the commonwealth. The course was designed for students of varying educational backgrounds, community members and leaders, and anyone who would like to grow professionally and personally during a challenging time.

“We believe it is extremely important to fulfill our role as part of the Pike County family,” said UPIKE President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “We have the ability to help our neighbors improve their skills while they are away from regular work; it is important that we do so. We believe in Eastern Kentucky and believe that education at every level will help us rise together.”

Offered through UPIKE’s College of Arts and Sciences, the course was free to the general public, with participants earning a certificate upon successful completion, along with course credit that is transferable.

“I am grateful to have been part of this initiative and am proud to work at an institution that cares about the wellbeing of the community,” said Briscoe. “These practices exemplify the spirit of the UPIKE family.”