Online Academic Leader of the Year
Building Big, Bold Online STEM Programs That Work
The University of New England (UNE) is a leader in health sciences and online education. With a bold commitment to flexible learning and academic excellence, UNE Online delivers accredited, rigorous science and healthcare programs to working professionals and nontraditional students across the country. At the heart of this effort? Leaders like Dr. Beth Taylor-Nolan, who knows how to scale smart without losing sight of what really matters: students.
“Our online students aren’t just numbers on a screen. They’re future health professionals, and they deserve a world-class education.”
Dr. Beth Taylor-Nolan says this with the calm confidence of someone who’s helped hundreds of them get there.
As Dean of UNE Online’s College of Professional Studies, Dr. Taylor-Nolan oversees a portfolio of science-heavy programs designed for adult learners with big ambitions and busy lives. From pre-health science tracks to public health and beyond, she’s orchestrating programs that are fully online, fully accredited, and fully built for the real world.
In 2025, she was named Golden Goggles Online Academic Leader of the Year, recognized for steering UNE’s online programs with a mix of clear-eyed strategy, cross-campus collaboration, and what one colleague called “ferocious follow-through.”
Centering the Student Experience: How a Thoughtful Course Design Builds Belonging and Success
Creating a great online course isn’t just about content. It’s about care.
From day one, Dr. Taylor-Nolan focuses on one big question: What do students actually need to succeed, not just academically, but as whole human beings?
The answer? It starts with backwards design. Every course begins by mapping clear goals and aligning content, assignments, and labs to those outcomes. That kind of intentionality builds consistency across sections and helps instructors stay focused on what matters most: learning that sticks.
But great design isn’t enough if it doesn’t flex. That’s why this team makes sure policies match the realities of today’s students. Flexibility isn’t a perk; it’s baked into everything from assignment pacing to the mix of learning experiences offered throughout the semester. It’s also why students don’t just get one style of instruction. They get variety; structure when it’s helpful, autonomy when it’s needed, and support all along the way.
And perhaps most importantly, this is a team effort. A strong bench of instructors creates consistency across the program, which means students aren’t playing the luck-of-the-draw game when it comes to getting a good professor. They’re getting a unified, thoughtful experience, delivered by people who care
Her team partners with faculty, instructional designers, and industry leaders to ensure UNE’s science curriculum is:
- Rigorous enough for future clinicians and researchers
- Flexible enough for full-time professionals and parents
- Interactive enough to feel real and keep students engaged
Students don’t just complete their credits. They gain experience with real lab techniques using Science Interactive’s at-home kits, build foundational competencies for grad school or licensure, and emerge with the confidence to keep going..
That care comes through loud and clear in the student feedback:
“I just want to thank you sincerely for everything that you did to see me succeed. I am very humbled and appreciate you more than you know.”
“Thank you so much for being there for me. I truly cherish your support, encouragement, understanding, and kindness.”
Students notice when an instructor goes the extra mile, and in this program, that’s just the norm. Whether it’s holding review sessions, responding with warmth and empathy, or making the extra effort to personalize communication, the team shows up. Every time.
“We’ve built a system where quality, accessibility, and innovation don’t compete; they support each other.”
It’s Not Just Tech. It’s Trust.
One of Taylor-Nolan’s core insights is that online education isn’t only about the tools. It’s about trust between students and faculty, between departments, and between institutions and the communities they serve.
That’s why UNE Online builds every course with faculty involvement from the beginning. It’s why they invest in support services and student success coaching. And it’s why they continually refine programs to reflect what’s really happening in the workforce, especially in healthcare, where every detail counts.
Dr. Taylor-Nolan leads all of this with clarity, grace, and the ability to zoom in on a scheduling problem or zoom out to a five-year academic plan without missing a beat.
Dr. Taylor-Nolan’s Top Tips
UNE Online graduates go on to med school, PA programs, leadership roles in public health, and more. Their success isn’t just a metric; it’s a testament to the intentional, student-first design Dr. Taylor-Nolan and her teams have built into every corner of the program.
And yes, other institutions are watching. UNE’s model has become a roadmap for schools looking to scale online STEM without sacrificing integrity. Here are Dr. Taylor-Nolan’s top tips:
- Use backwards design to ensure consistency
- Make things flexible and fair
- Provide a variety of experience types throughout the semester
- Match your policies to your students needs
- Foster a strong team of instructors
If you’re thinking about building or improving your online science programs, take a cue from UNE: start with strategy, listen to your learners, and don’t skimp on quality. Science Interactive can help you bring that vision to life with the tools, support, and people to make it work.
For more tips and best practices on supporting student success, check out our Peer Learning webinar on demand.
