Delivering on a Bright Future for Online Education at the U of A

March 27, 2026
To: University Employees
From: Office of the President
Subject: Delivering on a Bright Future for Online Education at the U of A
Date: Mar 27, 2026

University President Suresh Garimella sent a message about the bright future of online education at the University of Arizona to all faculty, staff and designated campus colleagues on March 27, 2026. The beginning of the message is below and the full message is posted on the Office of the President website.

Dear colleagues,

Online education is an essential component of the University of Arizona’s mission and a core strategy for advancing our strategic imperative of success for every student.

I’m pleased to share that we are embarking on a new era for online education to better serve all learners, consistent with our land-grant mission. As a public research university, our responsibility is to provide all qualified students with the opportunity to continue their academic journey in ways that fit their lives, careers, and circumstances. We also must respond to external factors driving the need for change in online education, including the aftermath of the pandemic, the emergence of AI, and federal and state regulations. 

Today we are taking a major step toward optimizing our online portfolio through our online modernization plan. This effort will give all qualified students access to the excellence of one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities regardless of their life circumstances. It will also strengthen our role as a national leader in social and economic mobility by providing flexible, lifelong pathways to career success.

This work is grounded in a clear strategic framework that aligns with our academic strengths, expands access, and positions the university for long-term impact.

Our Online Modernization Plan

Our plan for online education is anchored in two complementary and clearly defined pillars, each serving a distinct purpose and population.

  • Arizona Online (AZO): AZO is the primary gateway for learners seeking online access to flagship academic programs at the U of A. To enable such access, every AZO degree is powered by the same faculty and curricula as our residential campus. AZO will focus on delivering flagship academic programs aligned with the university’s strengths. Further, AZO's mission will expand to recognize the online modality as a core component serving all U of A students and not just students enrolled in its online degree programs. This approach will create consistent online flexibility to support all students in progressing to on-time degree completion.
  • University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC): UAGC will serve as our primary vehicle for career education and workforce development through upskilling and cross-skilling. It provides the accessible and supportive environment required to serve working professionals. UAGC also provides educational pathways for veterans, active-duty, and National Guard service members, and their families who would benefit from a distinct, targeted, and highly flexible pathway to a degree.

Read more about the implementation of the plan on the Office of the President website.