Training and Help

This year, Andrews University celebrates 15 years since Griggs University and Griggs International Academy moved to Andrews. The collaboration has strengthened Adventist distance education while expanding opportunities for thousands of students from more than 50 countries.

“For more than a century, Griggs has served students whose circumstances make traditional education difficult or impossible. Whether separated by geography, work, family responsibilities, political barriers or limited access to educational opportunities, students have found a pathway to learning through distance education,” says La Ronda Forsey, principal of Griggs International Academy.

In 1909, Seventh-day Adventist education embraced an idea that was ahead of its time. Church leaders recognized that many members and workers around the world were unable to attend a traditional school due to factors including geography, work responsibilities, family obligations and distance.

In an effort to remove these barriers, the Fireside Correspondence School was founded in Maryland by Adventist educational pioneer Frederick Griggs. Lessons were delivered by mail, allowing students to study wherever they lived. The early years were marked by steady growth and adaptation, and the institution became the Home Study Institute in 1931.

A significant milestone came in 1990 when the Maryland Higher Education Commission granted permission for the institution to offer degree programs. This marked the beginning of Griggs University and expanded the school’s impact beyond K–12 education. While Griggs had served learners at multiple educational levels throughout its history, this decision opened a new chapter of higher education opportunities for Adventist students worldwide.

As technology advanced, Griggs continued to evolve. The K–12 division became Griggs International Academy in 2003, reflecting its growing international reach and commitment to serving students beyond traditional geographic boundaries.

Another transformative chapter began in 2010. After an extensive study by a General Conference commission on distance education, church leaders recommended that Griggs University become part of Andrews University. The recommendation reflected a growing recognition that distance education would play an important role in serving the worldwide church.

After careful planning, Griggs officially relocated from Maryland to the Andrews University campus in Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 2011. Then in 2015, Griggs University became fully integrated into the Andrews University structure through the School of Distance Education, while Griggs International Academy continued to operate independently within the same school. This strategic partnership brought together the experience and heritage of Griggs with the academic resources and global influence of Andrews University.

In March 2024, the Andrews University Board of Trustees voted to reorganize the School of Distance Education into the Andrews University Global Campus. The new name reflects a broader vision for online learning, international partnerships and innovative educational delivery for students from kindergarten through higher education.

Today, students connect to the Global Campus from cities, local schools, villages, mission fields, military bases and homes around the world. Through direct enrollment, partnerships with Adventist schools and innovative online learning models, they receive a fully accredited, faith-based education regardless of where they live.

“As Adventist education looks toward the future, new technologies will continue to reshape how education is delivered. Yet the most important elements remain unchanged: caring teachers, meaningful relationships, academic excellence and a commitment to helping students develop a deeper connection with Jesus Christ,” says Janine Lim, dean of the Global Campus.

For 117 years, Griggs has served students with dedication and care. While the classroom may look different from what it was in 1909, the vision of the Andrews University Global Campus remains the same: preparing students around the world for lives of service today and for God’s kingdom tomorrow.

This year, Janine Lim, dean of the Global Campus at Andrews University, received the 2026 Hall of Fame Higher Education award from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

USDLA awards are given out annually to acknowledge organizations and individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements using online learning techniques, innovation and video technologies. The Hall of Fame award, specifically, requires participation in USDLA and significant contributions to global distance learning.

Throughout her career, Lim has been deeply engaged in developing and promoting distance education. In 2008, she won the USDLA Outstanding Leadership Award and soon after began to serve on the USDLA board. “I loved doing it, because I learned so much from other institutions and what they’re doing. [USDLA] is a really interesting group because they have K–12, higher education, corporate, government and health care distance education.”

Before joining the Andrews community, Lim worked as an instructional technology consultant at the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency for 14 years, where she focused on online asynchronous instructional technology and distance education. During this time, she taught courses for the Adventist Virtual Learning Network and oversaw a video conferencing system with around 35 units across local public school districts. She was also able to coordinate video conference projects, such as open-heart surgeries from the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, and an annual international reading event across multiple states and four countries. Lim shares that this work created a strong foundation for her time at Andrews University.

Lim earned her BA in communication, MAT and PhD in leadership from Andrews University. In 2011, she began serving at Andrews as associate dean for online higher education. During this time, she was responsible for improving the quality and design of technological and online tools that aided the University. She was also responsible for faculty and course development, and she promoted collaboration across multiple Adventist institutions of higher learning. Lim began serving as interim dean of the Global Campus in March 2026, before becoming dean on July 1, 2026.

As dean of the Global Campus, Lim oversees the Adult Degree Completion Center, the School of Leadership, the Center for Continuing Education, the Center for Digital Learning & Instructional Technology, the Office of International Student Services and Griggs International Academy. She hopes to continue her work of “deep collaboration, where each person understands the intent and design of what others bring,” noting that “to fully integrate and learn from each other’s ideas creates really great interactions.”

Lim shares, “I feel that working at Andrews in distance education is something that God created and knit me together to do. He gave me the experience, and I am committed to Andrews because I know God wants me here. … For me, this award is a confirmation that God is leading, and He needs me to do something more besides what I’ve done so far.” 

This training session is geared toward new faculty members who need an introduction to LearningHub. We will cover the basics of navigating the site; setting up assignments, forums and quizzes; linking and uploading resources; and setting up your gradebook. You will also have the opportunity to meet members of the Center for Digital Learning & Instructional Technology, who are ready to assist your online learning endeavours. Sign up here.