WASHINGTON, April 2, 2020 – UPCEA, the Washington, D.C.-based association for college and university leaders in professional, continuing, and online education, welcomed two new officers and five new directors to serve on the UPCEA Board of Directors during a virtual Board meeting on March 18.

“On behalf of the Board Development committee and the entire association, I am pleased to welcome these exemplary individuals at the start of their Board service,” said Karen Sibley, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Brown University, 2013-14 UPCEA President, and Chair, UPCEA Board Development Committee. “Especially in times like these, I look forward to seeing the important work that these strong and qualified leaders will contribute to the association and the field.” 

Nancy Coleman, Associate Provost and Founding Director of Strategic Growth Initiatives at Wellesley College, will serve as President-Elect for a one-year term (2020-2021). Her career has spanned higher education, corporate and start-up ventures. Dr. Coleman oversees the work of Wellesley Extended, encompassing summer, online learning, and professional education. Previously, Coleman was VP of Academic Services at Keypath, an OPM provider, overseeing instructional design and student services for all global locations; and Director of Distance Education at Boston University leading a business unit overseeing online degrees and certificates across the university. She holds a doctorate from George Washington University, an MBA from Boston University, and a BS in Marketing from Stonehill College.

David Cillay, Vice President of Academic Outreach and Innovation and Chancellor of WSU Global Campus at Washington State University, will serve as Secretary/Treasurer for a two-year term (2020-2022). He started at WSU in the Center for Distance and Professional Education in 2003 as director of instructional development and technology—responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of online courses/programs. Under his leadership CDPE evolved into the Global Campus—the sixth campus in the WSU system. He has been published in journals and textbooks, and has presented at national and international conferences regarding online education, learning design, change leadership, and academic technology.

Asim Ali, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at Auburn University, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2020-2022). Dr. Ali advances the center’s mission of providing professional development programs, services, and resources to enhance instructional innovation and support scholarly and creative activities. Ali oversees a team of more than 60 professionals, graduate students, and staff members across the center’s diverse units, which include Auburn Online, Biggio Teaching, Biggio Technology, Biggio Testing, Test Scoring Services, and Engaged and Active Student Learning, or EASL, classrooms and classroom buildings. Ali holds a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, a master’s in Information Systems Management, and a doctorate in Adult Education.

Monique LaRocque, Associate Provost for the Division of Lifelong Learning at the University of Maine, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2020-2022). LaRocque is also a member of the Academic Affairs Senior Leadership. She has launched a number of university-wide initiatives, including: a restructuring and branding of UMaineOnline, the creation of an online WinterSession, creation of a Think 30 strategy to support timely progress towards degrees; and the creation of a new Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), which supports faculty in innovative approaches to teaching and learning. LaRocque leads the UMaineGold initiative, a new approach to developing and offering graduate degree programs online.

Patricia Malone, Associate Vice President for Professional Education and Assistant Provost for Engaged Learning in the School of Professional Development at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2020-2022). She has facilitated numerous forums with labor, education and industry including three Federal Department of Labor National Transformational Forums for the WIRED Grants and NYSERDA focus groups. Malone is the Long Island director for workforce for the new Manufacturing Extension Partnership. She holds a BA from the University of Dayton, a Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University and co-edited the Jossey Bass publication “Enhancing Creativity in Adult and Continuing Education”.

Jason Ruckert, Vice Chancellor and Chief Digital Learning Officer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2020-2022). Dr. Ruckert is responsible for the overall strategy as well as the development, delivery, and quality control of online education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s three distinct campuses. The VC & CDLO is second in command for the Worldwide Campus providing leadership and assistance to the Academic Colleges and Administrative units within the campus for all learning modalities. The VC & CDLO also provides direct leadership and oversight of the following departmental units; academic technology, academic advisement, CTLE, faculty quality control and instructional design and development (currently 98 staff members).

Kim Siegenthaler, Director of Mizzou Online at the University of Missouri, Columbia, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2020-2022). Dr. Siegenthaler has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, administrator, and distance educator. Kim brings a broad perspective to the conversation about institutional culture and change. As Director of Mizzou Online, she leads initiatives to develop and implement business procedures that integrate distance education with University practices, and to incentivize expansion and enhancement of distance education programs. She is a regular presenter at UPCEA Annual Conferences on topics such as organizational change and growth strategy.

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About UPCEA

UPCEA is the association for professional, continuing, and online education. Founded in 1915, UPCEA now serves most of the leading public and private colleges and universities in North America. With innovative conferences and specialty seminars, research and benchmarking information, professional networking opportunities and timely publications, we support our members’ service of contemporary learners and commitment to quality online education and student success. Based in Washington, D.C., UPCEA builds greater awareness of the vital link between adult learners and public policy issues. Visit www.upcea.edu.