PART I: Personal Information and Demographic Data / Información personal y datos demográficos
Applicant Full Name / Nombre completo:
Kylen Clark
Applicant Title / Título:
Associate Director of Instructional Design
Institution or System / Institución o Sistema:
SUNY Empire State University
Address for Official Correspondence / Dirección oficial donde recibe su correspondencia:
7 Persse Ave. Johnstown, NY 12095
E-mail / Correo electrónico:
Kylen.Clark@sunyempire.edu
Mobile Phone / Número de celular:
518-736-1463
Work Phone / Número del trabajo:
518-736-1463
Track of interest / Área de interés:
English track
Which platform do you prefer the Academy to be offered on? / ¿En qué plataforma prefiere que se ofrezca la Academia?
Cualquiera de las dos / Either one
Languages / Idiomas:
English
Have teach an online course in the past three years / ¿Ha enseñado un curso en línea en los pasados tres años?:
No
Have taken an online course in the past three years / ¿Ha tomado un curso en línea en los pasados tres años?:
No
Have you been in charge of an instructional technology initiative / ¿Ha liderado alguna iniciativa de tecnología instruccional?:
Yes
Have you been in charge of a distance education initiative / ¿Ha liderado alguna iniciativa de educación a distancia?:
Yes
Years of experience in Higher Education / Años de experiencia en educación superior:
11-15 years
Gender / Género:
Female
Age Range / Edad:
31 to 40
Are you Hispanic / ¿Es usted hispano?:
No
Race Category / Raza:
White
PART II: Education / Educación
Highest Earned Degree / Grado más alto de educación obtenido:
Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education Administration
College/University / Colegio/Universidad:
Stony Brook University
Field/Major / Campo de estudio/Especialidad:
Higher Education Administration
Other Degrees Earned / Otros grados obtenidos:
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology; Minor in History – Skidmore College
PART III: Experience / Experiencia:
Present Responsibilities (up to 150 words) / Resumen de responsabilidades (máximo de 150 palabras) *
• Oversee all aspects of the instructional design processes, services and personnel within Empire Online. Ensure our office applies a service-centered approach in our interactions with the university’s diverse community.
• Work with the Empire Online Leadership and cross-functionally to set a strategic vision, innovate, define, lead, and optimize the resources and processes required to deliver best online learning experiences
• Provide leadership and coordination of introducing various innovative instructional design projects/initiatives.
• Support efforts to develop and maintain quality standards for online courses.
• Provide instructional design, e-learning experience, and project management skills in the design and development of online courses.
• Design and conduct presentations, workshops, discussions, and other training
• Work on special projects related to critical Empire Online or college-wide initiatives
• Keep abreast of emerging best practices for teaching and learning
• Contribute to the analysis and adoption of tools, strategies and approaches to course management, course design, and learning delivery.
Academic and Professional Distinctions and Honors (up tp 150 words) / Reconocimientos y premios académicos y profesionales (máximo de 150 palabras)
• Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education Administration; Stony Brook University
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology; Minor in History; Skidmore College
• Office of Enrollment Management Service Award
• Selected and Nominated to serve on University wide committees and to attend conferences based on my extensive skills, aptitude, and knowledge.
Civil and Community Activities (up to 150 words) / Actividades civiles y comunitarias (máximo de 150 palabras)
[296]
Professional Goals (up to 150 words) / Metas profesionales (máximo de 150 palabras):
My Professional Goals include: (1) Lead my team with innovative strategies for optimal learning experiences, (2) Design initiatives in promotion of student success in my instructional design field by incorporating best practices in instructional technology, distance education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (3) Articulate my experience and perspectives while integrating the ideas and voices of others into my work for the greater good of our department and institution.
Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA (up to 150 words) / Explique lo que espera adquirir al participar en la H-LTLA (máximo de 150 palabras):
I lead and supervise ten Instructional Designers while also supporting and guiding other team members in my department. I’ve demonstrated my strong, thoughtful, transformational leadership style in my current role. I believe in motivating and inspiring my team through leading by example, encouraging collaboration, welcoming input and professional development, and working on behalf of the best interest of my full team. In doing so, I strive to “promote and facilitate the adoption of teaching and learning technologies,” which is H-LTLA’s focus. Our department is now supporting online programs offered in the Spanish language, and I plan to utilize this opportunity to the fullest in thoughtful response and preparation for our new Spanish programs.
PART IV: Professional References / Referencias profesionales:
Professional Reference #1 (Include name, title, institution, phone, and email) / Referencia profesional #1 (incluya nombre, título, institución, número de teléfono, y correo electrónico):
Nathan E. Gonyea
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
SUNY Empire State University
nathan.gonyea@sunyempire.edu
518-587-2100, ext. 2263
Professional Reference #2 (Include name, title, institution, phone, and email) / Referencia profesional #2 (incluya nombre, título, institución, número de teléfono, y correo electrónico)
Christine Paige
Executive Director of Empire Online
Office of Academic Affairs
SUNY Empire State University
Christine.Paige@sunyempire.edu
518-587-2100
Professional Reference #3 (Include name, title, institution, phone, and email) / Referencia profesional #3 (incluya nombre, título, institución, número de teléfono, y correo electrónico)
Robert Sanders
Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Excellence
SUNY Empire State University
robert.sanders@sunyempire.edu
1-800-847-3000
Upload a letter from a president, chancellor, or administrator stating the nominee’s qualifications for the program, leadership strengths, and development opportunities. NOTE: If at the moment of sending the application you don’t have a signed nomination letter, please upload a document with the evidence that it is being processed (for example: a print screen of an email requesting the letter) along with the contact information of the person in charge of completing it. (Accepted format: pdf) / Someta una carta de un presidente, decano o administrador que indique las cualificaciones del candidato para el programa, sus fortalezas de liderazgo y oportunidades de desarrollo. NOTA: Si al momento de enviar la solicitud no tiene una carta de nominación firmada, por favor suba un documento con la constancia de que se está tramitando (por ejemplo: una pantalla impresa de un correo electrónico solicitando la carta) junto con la información de contacto de la persona encargada de completarlo. (Formato aceptado: PDF)
PART V: Initiative and Mentor / Iniciativa y mentor
A letter describing a project that you will consider implementing at your campus or organization with the name of the Mentor of your preference. Your Mentor can be different from your references and should be a staff with experience in the area selected. The Mentor information will be submitted with the signature to confirm the availability to guide the implementation of your campus initiative. NOTE: If at the moment of sending the application you don’t have the signature of your Mentor on the project letter, please upload a document with the evidence (for example: a print screen of an email requesting the signature of your Mentor) that it is being processed along with the contact information of the Mentor. (Accepted format: pdf)* / Una carta que describa un proyecto que considerará implementar en su campus u organización con el nombre del mentor de su preferencia. Su mentor puede ser diferente a sus referencias y debe ser una persona con experiencia en el área seleccionada. La información del mentor se enviará con la firma para confirmar la disponibilidad para guiar la implementación de su iniciativa. NOTA: Si al momento de enviar la solicitud no tiene la firma de su mentor en la carta del proyecto, por favor cargue un documento con la evidencia (por ejemplo: una pantalla impresa de un correo electrónico solicitando la firma de su mentor) que se está procesando junto con la información de contacto del mentor (Formato aceptado: PDF)
PART VI: Statement of Purpose (no more than 300 words each question) Statement of Purpose (no more than 300 words each question) / Declaración de Intención (máximo de 300 palabras para cada pregunta)
1. From your perspective, what are the top three issues facing higher education today? Why? (no more than 300 words) / Desde su perspectiva, ¿cuáles son los tres principales problemas que enfrenta la educación superior hoy día? ¿Por qué? (máximo de 300 palabras)
From my perspective, the top three issues facing higher education today are (1) student and staff retention, (2) the mainstream use and availability of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and (3) accessibility. Quality academic programs demonstrating value to professional careers are necessary for students to desire pursing and continuing degree paths. Caring and experienced professionals and staff are vital to student retention, but ensuring they are trained and supported, in turn, affects students’ retention. Generative AI tools have changed the higher education landscape. Not only does it allow innovative uses and development of teaching tools and opportunities, but it also leaves questions and uncertainty as to whether students independently completed assignments and activities. This refocuses educators and instructional designers to reframe and redesign learning experiences. Lastly, accessibility is an issue in higher education if we do not find solutions for ADA compliance as well as affordability and availability of programs.
2. What are your own institution’s priorities and challenges with regard to leveraging instructional technology and distance education for the benefit of the entire organization? (no more than 300 words) / ¿Cuáles son las prioridades y los retos de su institución con respecto al aprovechamiento de la tecnología educativa y la educación a distancia en beneficio de toda la organización? (máximo de 300 palabras)
As the leading SUNY online institution, my institution’s priorities include informed and committed research into best practices in instructional technology and distance education. We utilize our LMS to the fullest extent by reviewing and implementing integrations with third party tools to enhance learning and promote interactive activities. Our online programming is reviewed using detailed course quality guidelines for excellence, taking into consideration New York State and federal guidelines. Although we train University colleagues and spread awareness of these tools to faculty, our challenges arise from the volume of courses. There are many that would benefit from incorporating our technology and standards, but we would need additional team members to assist in our initiatives.
3. If have the influence to instill change at your Institution, was one thing you could change, what would that be; and what is the unique aspect of your institution you would like to keep? (no more than 300 words) / Si pudiera influir para lograr algún cambio en su institución, ¿cuál sería? y ¿cuál es el aspecto único de su institución que le gustaría mantener? (máximo de 300 palabras)
My institution is the leading SUNY online institution. Our online course quality standards and committed attention to ADA compliance and diversity equity, and inclusion separate our programs from others. I would keep our determined and successful approach to innovative learning experiences. Through this, we have a commitment to universal design for students within our department. Although training certain aspects of digital accessibility and universal design is required to all employees, the implementation of these design principles in courses are not always followed by all faculty in course design. One thing I would change is to require additional training in these areas, so faculty can also work to implement the design and technology improvements to their courses in partnership with my department.
Associate Director of Instructional Design