Dr. Omayra Caraballo Pagán is Assistant Vice President of Distance Education at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, a nonprofit higher education institution known for its distance academic offering.
Doctor Caraballo has had an outstanding career in higher education and online learning. She has two master’s degrees, one in Human Resources and one in Management Information Systems, and a doctoral degree in Education in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. During the last decade, she served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for distance education at the university’s Ponce Campus. While in this role, she was responsible for two academic departments (one undergraduate and one graduate), as well as for many of the processes related to online learning, such as instructional design, multimedia production, and technical support. Under her leadership, the division achieved the design of over 350 online courses and served a population of over 3,500 students. Some of doctor Caraballo’s achievements in this role include the creation of the Associate Deanship of Academic Affairs for Online Learning, the development of the Center for Innovation and Creativity in Education and the Health Science’s Department Center for Clinical Simulation Scenarios, and the implementation of the Project for Online Faculty Development (PEAFAL).
Doctor Caraballo is known for promoting a critical, adaptive, and entrepreneurial leadership model for academic management, as well as for promoting the quality, effectiveness, and integrity of online learning. Several of her novel initiatives and projects have been recognized by local and international entities. She currently collaborates as an evaluator in licensing and program authorization processes for private universities in Puerto Rico. In addition, she facilitates lectures and workshops in many areas related to her expertise.