English track

Applicant Title / Título: Coordinator, EDvolution Center
Institution or System / Institución o Sistema: Southeast Missouri State University
Preferred edition / Edición de preferencia: February 25 to 28, 2025 / 25 al 28 de febrero de 2025
Have taught an online course in the past three years / ¿Ha enseñado un curso en línea en los pasados tres años?: Yes
Have taken an online course in the past three years / ¿Ha tomado un curso en línea en los pasados tres años?: Yes
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?: No
Years of experience in Higher Education / Años de experiencia en educación superior: 6-10 years
Gender / Género: Female
Age Range / Edad: 51 to 60
Are you Hispanic / ¿Es usted hispano?: No
Race Category / Raza: White
PART II: Education / Educación:
Highest Earned Degree / Grado más alto de educación obtenido: EdD
College/University / Colegio/Universidad: Lindenwood
Field/Major / Campo de estudio/Especialidad: Instructional Leadership
Other Degrees Earned / Otros grados obtenidos: MA in TESOL
PART III: Experience / Experiencia:
Present Responsibilities / Resumen de responsabilidades:

Provide training opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to develop skills with educational technology
Maintain awareness of current issues and trends related to the use of educational technology
Teach EL300, Instructional and Assistive Technology in Universally Designed Learning Environments

Academic and Professional Distinctions and Honors / Reconocimientos y premios académicos y profesionales:

ISTE Certified Educator
Apple Teacher and Learning Coach
Google Certified Educator and Learning Coach
Microsoft Certified Educator

Civil and Community Activities / Actividades civiles y comunitarias:

I work with the Girl and Boy Scouts to help troops earn coding and other technology badges. I also speak to the Rotary club about educational technology and I am the mentor for Kappa Delta Pi, an Education Honor Society.

Professional Goals / Metas profesionales:

Strengthen my teamwork and collaboration skills
Keep current on emerging technologies within education technology, especially VR/AR/MR and generative AI
Develop my understanding of how to best support diverse students, especially Hispanic/LatinX students

Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA / Explique lo que espera adquirir al participar en la H-LTLA:

Expand my network within the HETS community
Develop a better understanding of how to support Hispanic/LatinX students
Better understand how to leverage technology to promote culturally responsive pedagogy and andragogy

PART IV: Professional References / Referencias profesionales:
Professional Reference #1 (Include name, title, institution, phone, and email) / Referencia profesional #1:

Dr. Joe Pujol
Dean, College of Education, Health, and Human Studies
Southeast Missouri State University
1 573 651 2408
jpujol@semo.edu

Professional Reference #2 (Include name, title, institution, phone, and email) / Referencia profesional #2:

Dr. Brandy Hepler
Assistant Professor of Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education
Southeast Missouri State University
1 573 651 2122
bhepler@semo.edu

Professional Reference #3 (Include name, title, institution, phone, and email) / Referencia profesional #3:

Dr. Chelsea McNeely
Director Southeast Online and Early College Programs
Southeast Missouri State University
1 573 651 2766
ccaile@semo.edu

Upload a letter from a president, chancellor, or administrator / Carta de recomendación:
See the recommendation letter
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. / Una carta que describa un proyecto que considerará implementar en su campus u organización con el nombre del mentor de su preferencia:
See the Initiative letter
PART VI: Statement of Purpose / Declaración de Intención:MO
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?:

Three critical issues challenge higher education today. First, rising costs and student debt create a significant barrier to access and completion, particularly for low-income and first-generation students. The increasing financial burden forces many to delay or forgo college, limiting their future opportunities and contributing to societal inequality. This is driven by factors like decreased state funding, increased administrative costs, and the demand for ever-evolving technology and facilities.
Second, concerns about the value and relevance of a college degree are growing. Many parents and students question whether higher education adequately prepares graduates for the workforce, citing skills gaps and underemployment. This is fueled by rapid technological advancements and evolving industry needs, requiring institutions to adapt curricula and provide more experiential learning opportunities to ensure graduates are career-ready.
Finally, the increasing polarization of society is impacting college campuses, especially in the US. Discussions about sensitive topics are often stifled due to fear of backlash, hindering the free exchange of ideas that is fundamental to the academic mission. This climate can create a hostile environment for students and faculty with differing viewpoints, impacting learning and intellectual growth. Institutions must foster inclusive spaces that encourage respectful dialogue and critical thinking across diverse perspectives.

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?:

Southeast Missouri State University prioritizes leveraging instructional technology and distance education to expand access, enhance learning experiences, and improve institutional effectiveness. Key priorities include:
Expanding online program offerings: SEMO aims to reach new student populations and increase enrollment by strategically developing high-quality online and hybrid programs in high-demand fields. This includes investing in online course design, faculty development, and student support services.
Enhancing teaching and learning: SEMO seeks to integrate technology into on-campus courses to create more engaging and interactive learning environments. This involves supporting faculty in using learning management systems, multimedia tools, and other technologies to enhance pedagogy and promote student success.
Improving accessibility and affordability: SEMO strives to make higher education more accessible to diverse learners, including those with disabilities, working adults, and individuals in rural areas. Distance education and technology play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
However, SEMO faces several challenges:
Faculty development and support: Effectively integrating technology requires ongoing professional development for faculty. SEMO must provide adequate training and support to ensure faculty can confidently and effectively use technology in their teaching.
Infrastructure and resources: Maintaining robust technology infrastructure and providing access to necessary resources, such as reliable internet access and up-to-date software, is essential for successful implementation. This requires ongoing investment and strategic planning.
Quality assurance and accreditation: Ensuring the quality and rigor of online and distance education programs is crucial for maintaining accreditation and student satisfaction. SEMO must implement robust quality assurance processes and adhere to accreditation standards.
Competition: The online education market is increasingly competitive. SEMO must differentiate its programs and demonstrate value to attract students.

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?

If I could instill one change at Southeast Missouri State University, it would be to significantly enhance our faculty development program related to innovative pedagogy and technology integration. While we have pockets of excellence, a more comprehensive and sustained approach is needed. This would involve robust training, mentorship opportunities, and ongoing support for faculty to effectively leverage technology and evidence-based teaching practices in both online and face-to-face courses. This change is crucial for preparing our students for the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce and ensuring the long-term relevance of our academic programs.

The unique aspect of SEMO I would strive to preserve is our strong sense of community and personalized learning environment. We pride ourselves on the close relationships between faculty and students, the accessibility of our professors, and the supportive atmosphere on campus. This personalized approach fosters student success and contributes to a strong sense of belonging. As we embrace technology and expand our online presence, it’s essential to maintain this core value. We must find ways to translate the close-knit feel of our physical campus into the digital realm, ensuring that online students also experience a sense of connection and support. This balance between innovation and our established strengths will be key to SEMO’s continued success.

Evaluation

Please provide your input for the following candidate application, using a scale from 1 to 3 (based on the rubric and metrics provided for each area):

Applicant name (for your reference): *

Title (for your reference): *

Track of interest (for your reference): *

Part I. Personal Information and Demographic Data

Part I. Personal Information and Demographic Data: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: Have not taught or taken an online course, or have not been in charge of instructional technology or a distance education initiative, and have less than 5 years of experience in Higher Ed.); 2- (Good: Have taught or taken at least two online courses, or have been in charge of instructional technology or a distance education initiative, and have between 6 and 10 years of experience in Higher Ed.); 3- (Excellent: Have taught or taken two or more online courses, have been in charge of instructional technology or a distance education initiative, and have between 11 and 20 or more years of experience in Higher Ed.) *

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Part II. Education

Part II. Education: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1- (Poor: Bachelor’s degree or less than a bachelor’s degree in any academic Field); 2- (Good: Bachelor’s degree in Education with a major related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed., or a master’s degree in Education); 3- (Excellent: Master or courses towards a doctor degree, or a doctor’s degrees in Education related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed.) *

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Part III. Experience:

Present Responsibilities, distinctions, and activities: 1- (Poor: Not present responsibilities related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed., and doesn't have distinctions or activities related to the fields); 2- (Good: Present responsibilities related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed., and mentioned distinctions or activities related to the fields); 3- (Excellent: Present responsibilities related to management or supervision of Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. initiatives, and mentioned the distinctions or activities related to the fields). *

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Professional Goals: Professional Goals: 1 – (Poor: Goals described are not related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Initiatives); 2 – (Good: Goals described are related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Initiatives); 3 – (Excellent: Goals described are innovative and related to the management or supervision of Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Initiatives). *

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Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA: Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA: 1 – (Poor: Candidate’s expectations are not aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies); 2 – (Good: Candidate’s expectations are in some way aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies); 3 – (Excellent: Candidate’s expectations are significantly aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies) *

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Part IV. Professional References

Part IV. Professional References: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: Provided are one or two references and are not related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Faculty or Administrators, and the nomination letter is pending); 2 – (Good: Provided two references and are related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Faculty or Administrators, and included the nomination letter or provided the evidence that is in process); 3 – (Excellent: Provided more than two references and are related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Administrators, and included the nomination letter) *

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Part V. Initiative and Mentor

Part V. Initiative and Mentor: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: The candidate’s initiative is unclear or not aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies, and the mentor does not seem to have experience in the proposed initiative area.); 2 – (Good: The candidate’s initiative is clear and somehow aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies, and the mentor seems to have some experience in the proposed initiative area.); 3 – (Excellent: The candidate’s initiative is clear and very aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies, and the mentor seems to have a lot of experience in the proposed initiative area) *

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Part VI. Statement of Purpose:

1. From your perspective, what are the top three issues facing higher education today? Why? Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: The issues and explanations are not clear or pertinent to the education reality today); 2 – (Good: The issues and explanations are somehow clear or pertinent to the education reality today); 3 – (Excellent: The issues and explanations are very clear and pertinent to the education reality today) *

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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? Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: The priorities and challenges described are not directly related to leveraging instructional technology and distance education); 2 – (Good: The priorities and challenges described are somehow related to leveraging instructional technology and distance education); 3 – (Excellent: The priorities and challenges described are directly related to leveraging instructional technology and distance education.) *

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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? Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: Only mention one aspect, and is not directly related to a thing that he/she could change or keep at his/her Institution); 2 – (Good: Mention one or two aspects, and are somehow related to a thing that he/she could change or keep at his/her Institution); 3 – (Excellent: Mention both aspects and are related to a thing that he/she could change and keep at his/her Institution.) *

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Name of the Evaluation Board Member *

Evaluation Board Member Comments about the Applicant: Please write your recommendations or additional feedback

Please select the best category that applies to this candidate based on the following criteria

Please select the best category that applies to this candidate based on the following criteria: 1-Beginner: Obtained mostly 1 point in Personal Information and Demographic Data; Education; Present Responsibilities distinctions, and activities; and Initiative and Mentor; but the rest of the categories could score 1, 2 or 3); 2- Intermediate: Obtained mostly 2 points in Personal Information and Demographic Data; Education; Present Responsibilities distinctions, and activities; and Initiative and Mentor; but the rest of the categories could score 1, 2 or 3); 3- Advanced: Obtained mostly 3 points in Personal Information and Demographic Data; Education; Present Responsibilities distinctions, and activities; and Initiative and Mentor; but the rest of the categories could score 1, 2 or 3) *

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