Richmond’s IU campus has been named one of the Best Value Online Schools in Indiana in a recent ranking, and professional tennis players are among those who might agree with that assessment.

The ranking comes from Best Value Schools.

To be considered, each school must enroll at least 15 percent of its student body in some or all distance education coursework. Schools were ranked based on average undergraduate graduation rates and in-state tuition rates. Schools then were based on range and variety of online class offerings, stability and the university’s overall effort to promote and/or expand virtual classroom initiatives.

IU East was recognized in part for its selection of online bachelor’s degrees, which blends career-focused programs such as criminal justice and business administration with liberal arts classes such as English literature, political science and mathematics.

One of IU East’s newest graduates, Alla Kudryavtseva, finished her bachelor’s degree in communication studies online in December. Kudryavtseva is one of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) players studying at IU East through an agreement between the campus and the women’s professional tennis organization.

She came to campus to receive her diploma from Executive Vice Chancellor Michelle Malott and School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Ross Alexander. While in town, Kudryavtseva toured the campus and met with students, faculty and staff that she had become acquainted with during her time as a Red Wolf. She enrolled at IU East in January 2014.

Kudryavtseva also spent the morning talking with IU East student-athletes about balancing life between professional tennis and her studies. In return, the students shared some of their on-campus experiences with her.

“Being a professional tennis player requires lots of sacrifices: you barely see your family and friends, you shouldn’t party and you are constantly on the move. I want to thank IU East and the WTA for making sure education doesn’t have to be one of those sacrifices,” Kudryavtseva said in a news release.

Alexander said Kudryavtseva’s professors consistently lauded her stellar work, professionalism and the global perspective she brought to all her courses.

IU East and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association reached an agreement about five years ago establishing IU East as the primary provider for baccalaureate online degree completion programs for WTA players. IU East has a similar agreement with the ATP, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit.

The agreement provides the opportunity for players to professionally train and play tennis while completing their bachelor’s degrees online. IU East offers 13 online options for students to earn a bachelor’s degree or certificate.

Kudryavtseva is the second WTA player to receive her diploma while visiting the IU East campus. Venus Williams graduated in August 2015. Another December graduate of IU East’s online programs is WTA player Irina Falconi, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

In addition to the three graduates, 21 WTA players are enrolled in IU East online degree completion programs.