Rick Upchurch elected president of ACCESS

Huntington, Ind.-Rick Upchurch, director of the EXCEL Adult Degree Programs, was elected president of ACCESS at the organization's March meeting at Regent University in Virginia Beach.

ACCESS, the association for Christian distance education is an organization of Christian adult education professionals, dedicated to "extending education to Christians that is 'access-ible,' given their commitments to family, work, community and ministry." In existence since 1971, the organization is known for its annual conferences which are held at different locations around the country and provide an excellent opportunity for professional networking and sharing of best practices in Christian distance education.

Dr. Upchurch has been the director of EXCEL since February 2008 and previously directed an adult program at Ohio Christian University in Circleville.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).