In this edition of our Facilitator Spotlight Series, we chatted with Dr. Bettyjo Bouchey on the important topic of staying current on changes as leaders in digital learning and what she’s been learning this summer. Dr. Bouchey facilitates several workshops in the Center for Professional Learning and serves as faculty in the Institute for Emerging Leaders in Online Learning Program (IELOL).
Q: Are there particular topics in the teaching and learning environment that you explored this summer?
A: Absolutely! Like many others these days, I’ve been diving into the world of artificial intelligence, and it’s been a game-changer. Specifically, I’ve been using a system that leverages multiple large language models (not just ChatGPT) to review and refine my feedback before sharing it with learners. I created a framework for this evaluation process, ensuring the feedback aligns with the context of the assessment and incorporates key principles I value—like balancing constructive criticism with a growth mindset. It’s been incredibly insightful and feels like having a personal coaching assistant. This process has not only improved the quality of my feedback but also given me a fresh perspective on how to better support my students’ learning journeys.
Q: As faculty in a variety of CPL’s offerings, including Evaluating Online Faculty, Retention Strategies, and IELOL, are there overarching themes you carry across all of them?
A: One overarching theme I carry across all my work is the profound importance of what we do. Our efforts impact learners, teams, institutions, and sometimes even extend to state, national, or global audiences. While online education has reached a level of maturity, there’s still a lingering perception that it’s not as valued as traditional teaching methods. However, in the current volatile landscape of higher education, the significance of our work cannot be overstated. It’s about more than just delivering content—it’s about creating meaningful, accessible, and impactful learning experiences that meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
Q: What do you enjoy most about facilitating and engaging with the OLC professional learning offerings?
A: What I love most is connecting with fellow leaders in online education. It’s inspiring to hear about their projects, challenges, and successes. These interactions are more than just opportunities to teach about a specific topic—they’re moments for mutual learning and collaboration. I enjoy the exchange of ideas, the shared problem-solving, and the celebration of victories, big or small. It’s a privilege to be part of a community that’s so passionate about advancing online education and supporting one another in the process.
Dr. Bouchey is Chief Officer of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at University of Vermont. As one of the longest-standing PACE units in higher education, the team serves the institution offering high-quality online and hybrid non- and degree offerings in collaboration with the university’s academic units and institutes, workforce development, and lifelong learning opportunities to Vermont residents and beyond. She was most previously Associate Professor and Vice Provost of Digital Strategy and Operations at National Louis University where she was responsible for standards of quality and service for online programming across the institution, alternative graduation pathways, learning experience design, and academic innovation, overall.
Dr. Bouchey holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University at Albany, an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University. She is a co-founder of the CORAL Research collaborative focused on online leadership and scholarship; her personal research interests include the nature and future of organizational structures of online units in institutions of higher education, as well as inventive and high-impact pedagogical practice in online teaching, inclusive of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
