Christopher Lawrence serves as the director of online education and a teaching professor of history in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, teaching undergraduate students at University Park and Penn State World Campus.
Since 2018, he has played a central role in shaping the Penn State World Campus Bachelor of Arts in History program, helping expand access to high-quality history education for students balancing careers, families, and other life commitments. The online bachelor’s in history is offered by the Department of History in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts.
In recognition of his work, Dr. Lawrence received the College of the Liberal Arts Award for Excellence in Online Administration in 2022.
Learn more about Dr. Lawrence in the Q&A below.
What courses do you teach or have you taught online for Penn State World Campus?
I have taught HIST 20, HIST 21, HIST 101, and HIST 120. I also developed the online version of HIST 101: The Roman Republic and Empire, specifically for Penn State World Campus.
What is your approach to online education?
My teaching philosophy centers on helping students develop critical skills and foundational knowledge they can apply both academically and in everyday life. Skills such as source analysis, critical reading, and constructing evidence-based arguments are essential in virtually any career. Studying human history also provides important context for understanding and addressing complex global challenges.
What do you enjoy most about teaching history online?
I enjoy meeting and working with nontraditional students. I strongly believe in the Penn State World Campus mission to extend educational opportunities to individuals whose life commitments prevent them from attending classes in person.
Many of our students are serving in the military, caring for family members, or working full-time, and they deserve access to high-quality education. Being able to help them achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding.
What challenges have you faced in teaching online, and how have you addressed them?
One of the biggest challenges is the need for flexibility. Our students often have demanding schedules outside of course work, which can make it difficult to meet strict deadlines. The instructor’s role is to support student retention by ensuring students don’t fall so far behind that they feel discouraged. I encourage instructors to actively reach out to students, offer flexibility when appropriate, and provide additional support to help them succeed.
How do you support student success in your online history courses?
Communication is key. Our history instructors and I regularly reach out to students, offer guidance when assignments become challenging, and provide additional time or support when needed. Our goal is to ensure students feel supported throughout their academic journeys.
In what ways do you build community and foster engagement among your online history students?
I’ve worked to integrate Penn State World Campus history students with resident students across Penn State campuses. World Campus students are eligible for annual History Department awards at University Park and regularly participate in Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. We also stay connected with students to offer guidance on academic and career goals.
How have you contributed to curriculum development that enhances online learning?
As director of online education, I have overseen the development of the Penn State World Campus undergraduate history degree from its foundation. I set course standards, guide instructors, and collaborate with instructional designers at the Filippelli Institute for e-Education and Outreach to incorporate innovative tools such as 3D environments, light boards, and other engaging educational technologies. Our courses also feature recorded lectures from leading scholars, ensuring students benefit from both advanced technology and academic excellence.
Can you share examples of student success that have made you especially proud of your work as an online faculty member?
Several Penn State World Campus students have earned History Department awards for academic achievement, and many graduates have gone on to pursue graduate studies or advance professionally in their careers.
One moment that stands out to me involved a former student who reached out for guidance after excelling in HIST 101 and expressing interest in graduate school. Although life circumstances initially prevented her from returning to school, we discussed ways she could remain engaged in the field.
She followed that advice and was later accepted into a graduate program. Knowing she felt comfortable reaching out and seeing the positive impact of that guidance was incredibly meaningful to me.
A Penn State education online
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online since 1998 and is consistently recognized as one of the top institutions for online learning in Pennsylvania and the country.
Today, Penn State World Campus offers a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degree and certificate programs.
Faculty like Christopher Lawrence are the foundation of the diverse variety of programs and academic excellence.
Explore the Bachelor of Arts in History that is offered online through Penn State World Campus.
