By Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. Dianna Cooper-Bolinskey admits she was hesitant about teaching social work online at previous universities.
But then she came to CU in August 2019 to teach social work and saw how well the university's Carver School of Social Work was teaching online courses.
Recently, Cooper-Bolinskey received the Campbellsville University Online Faculty of the Year Award.
“I'm proud to say that Carver School has figured out how to do it well, and I'm honored to be part of it,” Cooper-Bolinskey, associate professor of social work and Master of Social Work (MSW) program director, said.
“When I think about the level of expertise in online teaching among us, I'm simply humbled to have been selected for this award.”
Dr. Michelle Tucker, dean of the Carver School of Social Work, nominated Cooper-Bolinskey.
“Dr. Cooper-Bolinskey is a great asset to the Carver School of Social Work,” Tucker said. “She is committed to providing quality online education and continuously seeks ways to improve the online learning environment for students.”
Tucker added, “As the MSW Program Director of the MSW program, Dr. Cooper is actively engaged and focused on student needs both inside and outside the courses she teaches.
“She routinely communicates both in email and phone calls frequently to answer student questions, help them navigate life and academic challenges and even advocates for accommodations through university administration.”
Cooper-Bolinskey received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Virginia's College at Wise in 1996 and her Master of Social Work from Radford University in 1999. She also earned her Doctorate of Health Science in 2017 from Indiana State University.
Dr. Shane Garrison, dean of Campbellsville University Online, said Dr. Cooper-Bolinskey “works hard to bring the very best to her students.”
“She is creative and innovative in her instruction and goes the extra mile to see fully-online students meet their academic and career goals,” he said. “Campbellsville University Online and the students in the Master of Social Work program have greatly benefited from the tireless efforts of Dr. Cooper-Bolinskey.”
According to Garrison, CU Online has 1,700 fully-online students from 44 US states and nine international countries. CU Online supports more than 80 academic programs at the certificate, associate, bachelor and graduate levels.
“We hope to see 2,000 fully-online students by the end of 2024,” Garrison said. “Online education is growing rapidly. The vision of CU Online is to become the largest Christian online educational provider in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
“Outstanding online faculty members, like Dr. Cooper-Bolinskey, are helping us reach that vision.”
Cooper-Bolinskey has served in Social Work departments at Capella University, Indiana State University and the University of Southern Indiana. She has social work field experience dating back more than 20 years.
She is partner and provider at Wabash Valley Therapy in Terre Haute, IN, where she resides with her husband, Kevin Bolinskey.
Cooper-Bolinskey has two children, Amanda Landers and David Vowell.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.