Claflin Online Prepares for Expansion and Program Development with New Director

When Elizabeth Mahaffey started her new position as director of Claflin University’s Online Programs in July, she inherited a program that was being redefined through transformational partnerships and program expansion.   

In June, Claflin received approval by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to launch its RN (Registered Nurse) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.  The approval led to partnerships with neighboring Orangeburg – Calhoun Technical College and The Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties to provide a pipeline for RNs and nursing graduates to earn their bachelor’s degree at Claflin in 18 months or less.

Claflin next gained approval by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) to promote and market its online program in more than 40 states across the country. A partnership followed with the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) that offers a seamless pathway for associate degree graduates to matriculate at Claflin to earn Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Science degrees.

“Claflin already has a really strong brand,” Mahaffey said. “The curriculums and majors in our online programs were developed to meet industry needs creating a perfect fit for people who want to advance in their current careers or non-traditional first-time students. One of my priorities will be to increase enrollment and continue the growth and development of the online program.”

Mahaffey came to Claflin after spending almost two years as dean of the online program at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. Her duties included online program development, advising, recruiting, retention, marketing, and promotion. Mahaffey joined Shorter in 2013 as director of student services. She later became the director of online services before being appointed dean. She received an associate’s degree in arts from Trident Technical College, a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and religion from Charleston Southern University, and her master’s in business administration from Shorter.

“The SARA approval and the SCTCS partnership are significant in that both offer exponential growth opportunities for our online and on-campus programs – across the nation and in the State of South Carolina,” said Mahaffey. Both agreements provide us access to a wider audience of students who will be attracted to Claflin’ s affordable, flexible and nationally-ranked academic programs and the RN to BSN is the only bachelor’s in nursing program of its kind at a HBCU in South Carolina.”

Claflin Online launched in the summer of 2014. The program celebrated its inaugural class of online graduates when six students earned degrees last May at Claflin’s 2016 Commencement Convocation. Claflin’s fully online undergraduate degree program consists of the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management; Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; and the RN (Registered Nurse) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Claflin’s online graduate program consists of the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) and Master of Business and Administration (MBA). 

Claflin’s online degree program offer flexibility and accelerated graduation opportunities that allow students to graduate in 18 months or less. Scholarships are available and the program is designed to meet the needs of mostly non-traditional students who are balancing full-time employment with family responsibilities.