SMARTHINKING Announces Director Of StraighterLine

SMARTHINKING, Inc. (www.smarthinking.com), an award-winning market leader in providing online tutoring and academic support to students, has named Ryan T. Busch director of the company’s new online education division, StraighterLine. StraighterLine launched in spring 2008 and provides students a high quality, better supported, and lower cost online solution to obtaining college credits through regionally accredited colleges and universities. The new division focuses on the following entry-level curriculum courses: College Algebra, English Composition, Economics 101 and Accounting 101. As director, Busch will have daily oversight of all mission critical elements of StraighterLine.

Busch began his career in education at Axia College of the University of Phoenix. As Marketing Analyst, he oversaw media development and placement decisions for the university’s 190+ local campuses, both nationally and internationally. At the University of Phoenix, Busch held the position of learning products marketing manager. He played a pivotal role in the extending of University of Phoenix resources to over 50,000 virtual high school students, as well as to researchers in China working to support educational opportunities to migrant labors under the auspices of a Ford Foundation grant. Later as learning content project director, Busch directed new content acquisition and development projects, with a focus on stakeholder interaction and adding value to the University of Phoenix business ventures. Among his notable projects was the content digitization of Insight Schools, an online high school.

Busch earned a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University in 2000, graduating Cum Laude, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix in 2007. He has maintained memberships with the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). He is currently Adjunct Faculty for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Phoenix.

Additional information on Ryan Busch and the StraighterLine program can be found at www.straighterline.com or by visiting the StraighterLine blog at www.mmimarketing.com/blog/?author=straighterline.

Related Links:
www.smarthinking.com
www.straighterline.com
http://axia.phoenix.edu
www.phoenix.edu
www.insightschools.net

Quotes:
"We are pleased to announce Ryan Busch as director of StraighterLine," said Burck Smith, CEO and co-founder of SMARTHINKING. "His extensive and innovative background in the online education industry makes him a natural fit to lead our newest division."

About StraighterLine:
StraighterLine provides students with a new online option for obtaining required college credits from accredited colleges and universities. StraighterLine’s affordable courses are the first to include up to 24/7 live, on-demand instruction. StraighterLine offers entry-level college courses including College Algebra, English Composition, Economics 101 and Accounting 101, with many more under development. StraighterLine students may choose to receive credit from StraighterLine’s regionally accredited partner colleges. Student-earned credits may also be transferable to non-partner colleges that recognize StraighterLine’s partner’s courses as equivalent programs. There are no set due dates for StraighterLine courses. Students may start and stop at any point with up to six months of access. For more information, visit www.straighterline.com or call 202-507-7020 or 1-877-str8erline (1-877-787-8375).

About SMARTHINKING:
SMARTHINKING, based in Washington, D.C., is an award-winning, market leader in providing online tutoring and academic support to students. Schools, colleges, universities, libraries, government agencies, textbook publishers and other education providers partner with SMARTHINKING to increase student achievement and enhance learning. SMARTHINKING connects students to e-structor® certified tutors for assistance in math, writing, science and business at anytime, from any Internet connection. SMARTHINKING currently works with over 500 school clients and businesses, including the U.S. Army, Capella University, University of Texas Telecampus, and Houghton Mifflin. Our unique standing in the e-learning market has allowed us to attract an outstanding management team and staff of over 700 professionals and educators. For more information, visit www.smarthinking.com

Tags:
SMARTHINKING, StraighterLine, Ryan Busch, Burck Smith, Online Education, Online Tutoring, Education Technology, Online Academic Support, E-structor, e-Scholars, McGraw-Hill, Blackboard, Whiteboard, Online Learning, College Accreditation, Axia College of the University of Phoenix, University of Phoenix, North American Council for Online Learning, Direct Marketing Association, Insight Schools

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
919-233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

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