Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University has begun a working partnership with Leeds United College and Longford International College to explore collaborative educational opportunities ranging from guest speakers to internships to full degree programs. LUC and LIC are included in the educational division of Leeds United Football Club, which is based in Leeds, England.

“Ouachita has a long history of international engagement, including our first partnership with an overseas university in the 1970s,” said Dr. Stan Poole, Ouachita’s vice president for academic affairs. “We’re especially eager to explore how this partnership can provide access to exceptional high-impact learning experiences that deepen our students’ classroom knowledge and understanding.

The institutions anticipate a collaborative working partnership drawing on the strengths of each establishment for the benefit of students. Access to facilities and educational content are among the resources each institution brings to the relationship as future programs are considered.

“We’re really pleased to launch this new and exciting partnership,” said Spencer Taylor, director of education at Leeds United. “It will be great to see the relationship progress over time, with all parties working together to create opportunities for young students to study and learn whilst also developing important research and initiatives.”

“We believe in the power of [soccer] and education together and how it can break down cultural barriers, bring people together and make a positive difference to the lives of many,” added Professor Vincent English, president of Longford International College. “Longford College is also delighted to be part of an innovative approach to education where the rigor of academia is balanced against the practical approach.”

LIC and LUC currently offer accredited diplomas and master’s degrees in such fields as business leadership, football business and sports performance.

“We also look forward to collaborating with our partners to consider unique graduate-level programs that take advantage of the strengths of our diverse institutions,” Poole added.

“We are encouraged by the opportunity to partner in new, creative ways as we seek to expand the reach of our mission globally through unique partnerships and programs,” added Dr. Monica Hardin, associate vice president for graduate and professional studies. “As higher education continues to evolve in a globalized world, international partnerships are vital and we look towards a bright future with LUC and LIC.”

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Ark., is in its 135^th year as a Christ-centered learning community. Its seven academic schools enroll about 1,600 students and include business, Christian studies, education, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. The university features 15 intercollegiate athletics teams, including men’s and women’s soccer, with more than 25% of the student body competing as student-athletes. For more information, visit www.obu.edu.

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• Academics
• Graduate and Professional Studies