J. Garvey Pyke, Ed.D. (IELOL Alumni 2010; IELOL Co‑Director 2018, 2023; Faculty 2019-2023)

Garvey Pyke is the Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning in the School of Professional Studies at UNC Charlotte. He leads the Center in providing and supporting enterprise-level academic technologies and faculty professional development programs regarding high-quality instruction, scholarly teaching, and online and distance learning. He has served as the Chair of the University of North Carolina Faculty Developers Consortium, a statewide group for all seventeen member campuses of the UNC system, to build strategic partnerships among multiple campuses. In addition, he has served on the steering committee for OLC Innovate and as track chair for OLC Accelerate and has presented multiple times at these and other conferences.

As an educator for more than 20 years, Dr. Pyke enjoys collaborating with faculty members and staff to design and develop programs that impact faculty satisfaction and lead to student success. His work involves the practical application of research methods and instructional systems design methods to various instructional projects at the UNC Charlotte, and he is an affiliate member of the Graduate School and has taught at the university and K12 levels. He holds a doctorate in education in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Pepperdine University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Tulane University. He also completed the OLC Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL) in 2010 and the EDUCAUSE Learning Technology Leadership Institute in 2013.

Amanda Major (IELOL Alumni 2015; IELOL Faculty 2019-2023; IELOL Co-Director 2019-2020)

Amanda Major, EdD, CPLP, PMP is an organizational development and project management specialist in higher education digital learning with the University of Central Florida. Amanda has experience delivering results in a variety of learner-focused and client-oriented environments, spanning instructional design, faculty and professional development, online program management provider partnership, and special initiatives to enhance digital learning.

She holds a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institution (PMI) and a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance certification from the Association for Talent Development (ATD) as well as certificates from the Online Learning Consortium and Quality Matters. Her academic credentials include an EdD in educational leadership, policy, and law; an MA in industrial-organizational psychology; and a BA in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in social psychological issues. She is currently completing courses toward an MBA. Actively involved in the digital learning profession, she has presented at national and international conferences and has peer-reviewed publications.

Karen Pedersen (IELOL Faculty 2015-2023)

Dr. Karen L. Pedersen, Ph.D., is currently the Dean for Global Campus at Kansas State University. She has a long history of serving in various digital learning leadership positions at both public and private higher education institutions. Prior to joining KSU, Karen worked as the Chief Knowledge Officer for the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) where she served as a thought leader and fostered initiatives related to learning innovation, quality enhancement, leadership development, and institutional transformation. She has expertise in leading award-winning online and off-campus units, expanding partnerships, engaging cross-institutional academic operations, and pursuing integrated marketing solutions to realize significant enrollment growth and retention outcomes. Other experiences include serving on the launch team for both a competency-based education initiative and a micro-credential initiative, leading a system-wide enrollment management transformation, and building academic collaborations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil.

Prior to starting her administrative career, Pedersen served as a faculty member at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oklahoma State University.

Luke Dowden (IELOL Alumni 2010; IELOL Faculty 2019 – 2020, 2023)

Dr. Luke Dowden is the Chief Online Learning Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs in the Alamo Colleges District. Through Alamo Colleges Online, he leads and supports capacity-building initiatives at all five colleges so each may gain a greater market share of online learners in their respective service areas. He was named to the Online Learning Consortium 2022 Class of Fellows.

He joined the Quality Matters Board of Directors in 2021, serves on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Learning Technology Advisory Committee, and is a member of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) Council for Credential Innovation Leadership. He has been honored four consecutive years by either the Emerging Leaders Program as a Trusted Leader (2019, 2020) or by Alamo Colleges Academy for Leadership Success (ALAS) as an Essential Leader (2021, 2022). This year, he was selected as one of three recipients of the new Excellence in Leadership Practice Award from the 2022 Emerging Leaders Class. He is a past Steering Committee and Executive Council Chair for the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET). Prior to joining Alamo Colleges Online, Dr. Dowden founded the Office of Distance Learning at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2010 and served as its Director for 8 years. Under Dowden’s leadership, the Office of Distance Learning earned the 2013 Online Learning Consortium’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Development for Online Teaching. Dowden was honored in 2014 as the inaugural recipient of the Online Learning Consortium Bruce N. Chaloux Award for Early Career Excellence in Online Education. Dowden’s other significant leadership achievements include the creation of an electronic course design and certification process, facilitating the development and delivery of 13 new online degree programs, and the creation of a suite of instructional technology tools for online course delivery.

Prior to joining UL Lafayette, Dowden founded the Division of Accelerated Learning at Bossier Parish Community College. He led the efforts to create 6 online, accelerated degree programs with wrap-around student support services. During this time, the Louisiana Board of Regents tabbed him to found the Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana. As Executive Director of CALL from 2008-2013, he worked primarily with 6 community colleges and regional universities to create and launch over 18 accelerated online degree programs, introduce prior learning assessment policies and strategies, and coordinate marketing the programs statewide to the over 500,000 adults with some college and no degree.

Dowden earned a bachelor’s in History and a master’s degree in Adult Education from Northwestern State University before earning his Doctorate of Education in higher education administration in 2009 (Nova Southeastern University). He is a 2010 Graduate of the Penn State and Online Learning Consortium Institute for Emerging Leaders in Online Learning (IELOL).

Jason Rhode (IELOL Alumni 2012; IELOL Faculty 2019-2023)

Dr. Jason Rhode, Ph.D. is Associate Vice Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Digital Education at Northern Illinois University (NIU). In his role he serves as chief online learning officer and provides direction for the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) and oversees university-wide accreditation and digital learning. He also holds a joint faculty appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment.

With over 20 years of leadership experience in higher ed online education and faculty development, Dr. Rhode is a champion for academic excellence and student-centric, equity-minded approaches across the faculty development and digital learning functions that he leads. Having been at the same institution for nearly two decades, he has served in varied operational and leadership roles ranging from instructional designer, course developer, faculty trainer, program director, and executive director. Most recently he’s led the reorganization and expansion of NIU’s online program development and support services and he enjoys sharing his breadth and depth of experience in developing the institutional online education enterprise and fostering change across the institution. Jason has published and presented widely and has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field. He is a past advisory board member of the National Council for Online Education.

Jason holds a B.A. in Children’s Ministries from North Central University, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle Pacific University, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University,

Tina Parscal (IELOL Faculty 2021-2023)

Dr. Tina Parscal, Ph.D. is the Associate Vice Chancellor for CCCOnline and Academic Affairs for the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). She provides executive leadership for Colorado Community Colleges Online (CCCOnline), the online consortium of the 13 CCCS community colleges. Additionally, she oversees system-wide academic technologies and online services and coordinates collaboration and communication among the colleges, CCCS, and CCCOnline.

Dr. Parscal possesses broad higher education experience previously serving in such roles as an executive director, provost/chief academic officer, college dean, professor, and director. With over 20 years in higher education leadership, she has a breadth of leadership experience with online and distance learning, academic affairs, faculty development, enrollment services, and student affairs as well as extensive mentoring, teaching, and scholarship experience at the doctoral, master’s, undergraduate, and community college levels.

Tina received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Regis University; Master of Social Sciences from the University of Colorado, Denver; and Ph.D. In Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University.

Brian Beatty (IELOL Faculty 2021-2023)

Dr. Brian Beatty is Professor of Instructional Design and Technology in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University. Brian’s primary areas of interest and research include social interaction in online learning, flipped classroom implementation, and developing instructional design theory for Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) learning environments. At SFSU, Dr. Beatty pioneered the development and evaluation of the HyFlex course design model for blended learning environments, implementing a “student-directed-hybrid” approach to better support student learning.

Previously (2012 – 2020), Brian was Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations at San Francisco State University (SFSU), overseeing the Academic Technology unit and coordinating the use of technology in the academic programs across the university. He worked closely with IT professionals and leaders in other units to coordinate overall information technology strategic management at SFSU. Prior to 2012, Brian was Associate Professor and Chair of the Instructional Technologies department in the Graduate College of Education at SFSU.

Brian received his Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2002. Dr. Beatty also holds several CA single-subject teaching credentials, an M.A. in Instructional Technologies from SF State and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University. Dr. Beatty has more than 35 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, trainer, and instructional designer at schools, businesses, and the US Navy.

Cristi Ford (IELOL Faculty 2018, 2022-2023)

Dr. Cristi Ford serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L. She brings more than 20 years of cumulative experience in higher education, secondary education, project management, program evaluation, training, and student services to her role. In this role, she offers thought leadership and direction to the academic affairs unit of the organization. Her previous roles have allowed her to have impact in education from secondary and higher education settings as well as the on the international landscape. Her reach has allowed her to focus on building online education in the US and African continent.

In addition to her experience building new online learning programs and research related to teaching and learning in the online environment, Dr. Ford possesses significant experience in the design and delivery of integrated educational support, training, and transition services for young adults and children with neurodevelopment disabilities.

Dr. Ford was selected by the Online Learning Consortium, as the 2022 OLC Fellow which is the highest professional distinction offered by the association. She is a tireless advocate for quality online education where she has leveraged her passion and expertise in many realms in the education space. She is known for utilizing her leadership in extraordinary ways to help institutions build capacity to launch and expand online programming through effective faculty development, instructional design and pedagogical practices.

Dr. Ford holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Psychology from Hampton University and University of Baltimore, respectively.

Renee Pilbeam (IELOL Alumni 2021; IELOL Co-Director 2022; IELOL Faculty 2023)

Dr. Renee Pilbeam (she/her) serves as the Director of Learning Initiatives with EdPlus at Arizona State University. She began her career in 2012 as an instructional designer working with faculty to develop enriching and engaging online learning experiences. In her 7 years of instructional design work, she was also afforded the opportunity to work on projects like the Global Freshman Academy (earning a president’s award for innovation) and the PLuS Alliance (including a 6 month secondment to the University of New South Wales) where she was able to expand her skills and experience in a variety of global contexts.

Additional past roles of Renee’s have included Assistant Director, Professional Development & Training where she managed the professional development and training efforts to support faculty that are teaching online as well as a Manager of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives. In each of these roles she has learned the deep value of developing relationships, the importance of caring for one another, that joy and human connection are essential, and that equity and inclusion must be central to all that we do.

Renee also maintains a vested interest and focus on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work in higher education. In 2021 she received the Chair’s Award from the Committee for Campus Inclusion for her work to integrate equity standards Into the course design process and expand professional development and learning opportunities for the instructional design community. She believes that education is a human right and that everyone who wants access to education should have it and then be supported in their success in completing that education. She also recognizes that simultaneously we must work to dismantle the systems of oppression that are deeply embedded in education and beyond.

Renee is a proud graduate of the 2021 IELOL program cohort and was honored to be able to serve as program co-director from the ASU side in 2022. Not only has IELOL significantly impacted her work and career trajectory, it has helped her build incredible connections with other passionate and committed online learning professionals (and amazing humans) around the country and world.

Renee holds a doctorate degree from Arizona State University in Educational Technology (2016) as well as a Masters in Education (Educational Computing and Technology concentration and certification) and a B.A.S. in exercise science, both from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Dylan Barth (IELOL Alumni 2017, IELOL Global Alumni 2022, IELOL Co-Director 2022-2023)

Dylan Barth is the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Learning and a Co-Director of the Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL). Dylan provides strategic vision and oversight for professional development, research and publications, and the Quality Scorecard Suite at OLC. He has 20+ years of experience teaching in higher education and 12+ years working in faculty and instructional development. Dylan holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an emphasis on masculinities in contemporary post-apocalyptic fiction.

Katie Fife Schuster (IELOL Alumni 2020, IELOL Co-Director 2022-2023)

Katie Fife Schuster is the Director of Global Events for OLC. In this role, Katie provides direction and leadership for the logistics and planning of OLC symposiums, the IELOL program, and the IELOL Global program. Prior to her current role, Katie held the position of Director, Conferences & Events for OLC, where she worked in conjunction with the Senior Director, Conferences & Events, and the Conference Service Manager towards the achievement of OLC’s annual conferences. She has also been OLC’s Director of Online Learning and the Director of Publications. She has experience from her years in the publishing industry prior to joining OLC and holds a BA from Tufts University in anthropology and Spanish.

J. Garvey Pyke, Ed.D. (IELOL Alumni 2010, IELOL Co‑Director 2018, 2023, Faculty 2019–2023)

Garvey Pyke is the Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning in the School of Professional Studies at UNC Charlotte. He leads the Center in providing and supporting enterprise-level academic technologies and faculty professional development programs regarding high-quality instruction, scholarly teaching, and online and distance learning. He has served as the Chair of the University of North Carolina Faculty Developers Consortium, a statewide group for all seventeen member campuses of the UNC system, to build strategic partnerships among multiple campuses. In addition, he has served on the steering committee for OLC Innovate and as track chair for OLC Accelerate and has presented multiple times at these and other conferences.

As an educator for more than 20 years, Dr. Pyke enjoys collaborating with faculty members and staff to design and develop programs that impact faculty satisfaction and lead to student success. His work involves the practical application of research methods and instructional systems design methods to various instructional projects at the UNC Charlotte, and he is an affiliate member of the Graduate School and has taught at the university and K12 levels. He holds a doctorate in education in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Pepperdine University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Tulane University. He also completed the OLC Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL) in 2010 and the EDUCAUSE Learning Technology Leadership Institute in 2013.

Lynn Wahl (IELOL Alumni 2021, IELOL Co-Director 2023)

Lynn leads the Course Production Team in UNC Charlotte’s Center for Teaching and Learning in the School of Professional studies in their work with faculty in the redesign and development of blended and online courses, the development and implementation of media and interactive learning objects, and quality assurance efforts and initiatives. Lynn is passionate about creating successful faculty and student learning experiences in online and blended learning and growing as a leader. Lynn received her M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Idaho State University and M.A. and B.A. in English Literature from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Lynn is a two time OLC Best in Track award winner, frequent volunteer with OLC Accelerate, Innovate, and IELOL, a thought leader in instructional design, and is a graduate of the Online Learning Consortium’s Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning.

Elisabeth Stucklen (IELOL Alumni 2020, OLC Instructional Designer)

Elisabeth Stucklen is an instructional designer in OLC’s Institute for Professional Development, where she provides support for the IELOL program and manages the OLC Institute’s Instructional Designer Certificate program and associated 4-week courses. Elisabeth has worked in online higher education and instructional design for over 18 years. Prior to joining OLC, she worked as the senior instructional designer at Mount Washington College in Manchester, NH, where she was responsible for creating new online courses, providing training and support for faculty, and assisting the director in monitoring the course development process. Before MWC, she worked at Lesley University providing professional development and course design assistance to faculty.

In addition to her role with the OLC, Elisabeth also teaches online for Brandeis University in their Masters in Learning Experience Design program and volunteers as a mentor in the Educause and Penn State ID2ID program for instructional designers.

Elisabeth holds a Master’s of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Technology from Lesley University. She is also a proud graduate of the 2020 IELOL program!