HETS is pleased to announce that its team strengthens with a new expert resource, Dr. Alice Jovanna Casanova, as Academic Services Expert Consultant! With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Casanova has worked in the in various capacities, including leading academic initiatives focused on developing and transitioning academic programs to an online format. Also, she spent more than eight years working on regional and specialized accreditation processes, and for the past 15 years, she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on research methodologies, innovation, and distance education.
Dr. Casanova worked on the development of the Digital Learning Unit at Albizu University as Director of Digital Learning and is currently an associate professor at the Miami Campus. Also, she collaborates with HETS in different initiatives, like the Best Practices Showcase, and is part of the faculty of the HETS Learning Technologies Leadership Academy (H-LTLA), a professional development program to develop the next generation of leaders in Higher Education to promote and facilitate the adoption of teaching and learning technologies.
Her work has been recognized by several organizations, which invited her to serve on advisory boards for the Board of Postsecondary Institutions of the Puerto Rico Department of State and is a peer reviewer for the Online Learning Journal published by the Online Learning Consortium. Also, she is member of the International Network of Researchers in Distance, Online, and Open Education (REDIC), and member of the Board of Directors of the Internet Society’s Puerto Rico Chapter. Casanova holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education with a specialization in Teaching and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a Certificate in Higher Education from Harvard University. Her research focuses on the competencies and role of online instructors, distance education, and its various modalities. HETS is delighted to welcome Dr. Casanova to our family, and we wish her the best in this new endeavor!
In addition, HETS would like to recognize the dedication, excellent work, and commitment of Ms. Izarys G. Gutiérrez Soto, HETS Executive Assistant, during the past three years. Izarys works have been fundamental to develop new initiatives like the Student Passport and the Student Leadership Showcase in alliance with The Summ Student Experience Summitt at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Also, thanks to her valuable support, HETS webinars and the Learning Technologies Leadership Academy (H-LTLA), offered several sessions, including concurrent in English and Spanish for our member institutions in Puerto Rico, Latin America, and the US and public in general.
Following her desire to grow and passion, Izarys is moving to widen her professional career in a new role as part of an Advertising Agency in Puerto Rico. HETS family wish her the best on this new career path and is grateful for her interest in collaborating with our Consortium in further events!