Empowering Distance Learners through Appreciative Advising
Introduction Over the past decade, distance learning has seen a remarkable expansion, altering the landscape of education delivery and accessibility. While it has opened doors for millions of students, it also challenges establishing meaningful connections. With its intentional, strengths-based approach, Appreciative Advising stands out as a solution. It fosters engagement, trust, and success in online […]
Shaping Change Through Intangible Leadership Influence
Are you aspiring to become a leader or to lead a great team? Matthews (2005), in his book Aim for the Heart, reminds us that to have our wildest dreams come true, we must first have wild dreams. My first wild dream was to be part of a leadership cohort, and it came true when […]
Hacking Leadership: Leveraging Audiobooks and Your Daily Commute
What if one of the biggest pain points of your day could become your greatest professional development opportunity? As the Executive Dean of Online Learning and Faculty Development at D’Youville University in Buffalo, NY, I’ve discovered that one of the most impactful tools for professional growth isn’t found in the latest research or newest technology—it’s […]
Making Virtual Vibes Real: How to Build a Strong Classroom Community Online
Having spent years in the online learning space, I get really excited when I get to talk about ways educators can make students feel more connected and engaged in virtual classrooms. It’s not always easy, especially for those new to online teaching. Virtual learning does bring flexibility and accessibility, but it sometimes misses that natural […]
Utilizing Shared Governance in Effectively Balancing Unit and Central Authority In Online Administration
Shared governance is the intricate dance between academic ideals and administrative realities. For administrators, engaging in this process can sometimes feel like herding cats (albeit very well-read ones), especially when there’s no consensus about what “shared governance” actually means (see Minor 2004). Moving initiatives forward, particularly those related to the fast-moving world of online education, […]