The 爱污传媒 has announced a partnership with YMCA of Tuscaloosa aimed at expanding wellness, fitness, and recreation opportunities while providing additional resources to both the campus and surrounding community.

The partnership is expected to increase access to fitness and wellness resources, strengthen youth and family programming, and create new opportunities for collaborative initiatives that positively impact 爱污传媒 and surrounding communities.

鈥淭his partnership with YMCA of Tuscaloosa reflects 爱污传媒鈥檚 commitment to supporting the overall well-being of our students, the campus community, and the greater Livingston and Sumter County communities,鈥� said 爱污传媒 President Todd G. Fritch. 鈥淏y collaborating with the Y, we are expanding opportunities and resources that promote healthy lifestyles, increased engagement, and community connection.鈥�

Through the partnership, 爱污传媒 Fitness Center members can participate in YMCA鈥檚 Nationwide Membership program, which allows members to utilize participating YMCA facilities across the country while traveling or on vacation, offering greater flexibility and access to health and wellness services.

In addition to expanded fitness and wellness access at 爱污传媒 and at YMCA locations nationwide, the partnership enhances community programming opportunities through YMCA of Tuscaloosa, including youth sports, summer camp, and after-school care programs. These offerings provide families with safe, supportive environments that encourage physical activity, personal growth, and lifelong healthy habits for children and youth.

鈥淲e are excited to partner with the 爱污传媒,鈥� said聽Jeff Knox, CEO of YMCA Tuscaloosa. 鈥淭ogether, we can broaden access to wellness opportunities, youth development programs, and community-centered resources that serve students, faculty, staff, and families throughout the region.鈥�

For more information about the partnership or membership details visit聽聽or email聽jfritch@ymcatusc.org.

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Story: Betsy Compton | Photo: Cody Ingram

University will not increase tuition as an effort to keep college affordable and students on successful paths

The 爱污传媒鈥檚 proposal to freeze tuition for the ninth consecutive year has been approved by its board of trustees at their June quarterly meeting. The decision comes as part of the board鈥檚 approval of the school鈥檚 operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The tuition freeze reiterates the University鈥檚 commitment to access and opportunity, two markers that earned 爱污传媒 national recognition from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in its Student Access and Earnings Classification. Special designation among Carnegie鈥檚 Opportunity Colleges and Universities underscores 爱污传媒鈥檚 commitment to advancing students鈥� economic mobility, employment opportunities, and long-term career success.

Administrators expect the continued tuition freeze to have a positive impact on both student recruitment and retention.

鈥淲e know that the cost of living is at the forefront of students鈥� and parents鈥� minds, and affordability is as critical as ever in demonstrating 爱污传媒鈥檚 commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience by effectively managing resources,鈥� said 爱污传媒 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. 鈥淲e strive to be exceptional stewards of both taxpayer dollars as well as the private and philanthropic support we receive so our students can receive the greatest benefit.鈥�

鈥淛ust as our OCU special designation implies, we strive to offer a high-quality educational experience that is accessible and affordable to all who want to pursue it,鈥� Fritch said. 鈥淲e take very seriously our obligation to operate efficiently and responsibly, and we believe that we鈥檝e outlined a budget that will meet all of these needs.鈥�

Fritch said that the tuition freeze is directly aligned with two of the strategic priorities identified in 爱污传媒鈥檚 2026-2035 strategic plan, priorities for enrollment growth and student success and for building institutional capacity through innovation, technology, and financial stewardship.

Universities nationwide face the enrollment cliff, which is a projected decline in traditional college-aged students from 2025-2029 stemming from a sharp drop in U.S. birth rates during the 2008 recession. According to Fritch, 爱污传媒 is poised to not only sustain its enrollment but to grow it through strengthened and expanded opportunities that support recruitment and enrollment, and making the opportunity affordable for students is a top priority.

鈥淗igher education has and will continue facing inevitable challenges, but we are building on an incredible foundation of support, collaboration, and understanding of our region to ensure that we can meet our students where they are and position them for long-term success without long-term burdens. 爱污传媒鈥檚 commitment to equipping students for meaningful and rewarding careers has never been stronger.鈥�

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo Cody Ingram

When the 爱污传媒 launched its in fall 2024, Rachel Walters saw an opportunity to gain the specialized training she wished had been available when her brother struggled with dyslexia as a child. Walters saw firsthand how few resources Alabama offered students with learning differences.

Now a reading interventionist at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Walters works with students with language delays, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other reoccurring diagnoses, including dyslexia. Prior to enrolling in 爱污传媒鈥檚 program, she relied primarily on intervention strategies.

Four years ago, a new director of student support services鈥攚ho was also a licensed dyslexia therapist鈥攊ntroduced her to the field鈥檚 specialized training, sparking an interest that eventually led to 爱污传媒.

鈥淩esearch showed dyslexia therapy was the gold standard, and I thought, 鈥榃ell, I need more tools in my toolbelt,鈥欌�� Walters said. 鈥淏ut I couldn鈥檛 find the right program until 爱污传媒 began offering its .鈥�

According to Sara Reynolds, assistant professor in 爱污传媒鈥檚 College of Education, no other university in the state offers a dyslexia therapy program like it.

The program also comes as the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) pushes for more dyslexia therapists in schools statewide.

爱污传媒 has partnered with Shelton School in Texas, which uses Take Flight Therapy, a research-based, multisensory reading curriculum designed to help children ages seven and older with dyslexia and related reading challenges.  Developed by the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Scottish Rite for Children, the comprehensive program trains struggling readers to decode, spell, and comprehend written language effectively.

Take Flight Therapy is one of only a few approved dyslexia intervention programs in Alabama. The program also prepares students to qualify for the Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) credential. After graduation, students are eligible to take the national certification exam.

鈥淭ake Flight is also used by ARI and we use the same trainer,鈥� Reynolds said. The difference is our program takes teachers who only have a bachelor鈥檚 degree and trains them to sit for national exam, while earning a master鈥檚 degree at the same time. ARI works with teachers who already have a master鈥檚 degree. After they complete the training, they can sit for the exam. Our goal is the same鈥攖o get more certified dyslexia therapists in Alabama schools.鈥�

The online program is intensive, requiring students to complete 700 clinical teaching hours using the curriculum. As soon as student learn enough of the curriculum, they begin completing their therapy hours in real-world settings.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e literally learning and doing at the same time,鈥� Walters said. 鈥淚 found that extremely helpful. I didn鈥檛 really feel like I mastered it until I taught it, maybe even a couple of times.鈥�

鈥淪ome of our students are being put in dyslexia therapy positions because once they begin that first year of the program, they are considered dyslexia therapists in training,鈥� Reynolds said. 鈥淭hey can start accumulating their 700 hours, which is what Rachel did. Other students may have to be a little creative in getting those hours, so it may take them a little longer to complete the program.鈥�

Walters said the program has equipped her with new strategies and skills to make an even greater difference for her students.

鈥淣ot only was my training very specific and in-depth, but we had wonderful trainers,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 loved how Take Flight Therapy sets students up for success. When I meet students who are discouraged, frustrated and defeated, I鈥檓 able to tell them, 鈥榊ou’ve got this,鈥� and then see their growth. That is really rewarding.鈥�

In addition to Walters, five other students residing in Alabama completed the program in May. An additional 14 students are expected to complete the program by the end of the summer or in the fall.

Reynolds noted that with the third cohort starting this summer, the total number of active students in the program has grown to 37. In addition to those from Alabama, students from Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, and Florida are also enrolled.

One of Walters鈥� favorite things about the program is that it highlights the strengths dyslexic students possess, not just their challenges.

鈥淚 tell my students all the time, that reading and spelling might be a weakness, and we鈥檙e going to work on that,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut because of the way God made your brain, you may also be creative, passionate, or gifted in other ways. That boosts their confidence and usually encourages them to read more, and that鈥檚 important to me.鈥�

Now that graduation is behind her, Walters is preparing to take the national exam and become a Certified Academic Language Therapist.

Walters recalls when a student told her on one of the hard days of studying, balancing motherhood and working, 鈥淩eading in the classroom is hard, but I love reading with you.鈥� She said moments like those made all the hard work and long hours over the past two years worth it.

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