2. Colleagues who contributed to the e-Learning Program: First Years

Consider reading this narrative in the order in which it was composed, starting with Post #1.

I cannot truly give the full credit due to the many colleagues who added great value to the Distance Learning / e-Learning operation's growth and success over those first 30 years.  Faculty, of course, are the primary drivers of quality curriculum taught via all instructional modalities (in-person, online, and many combinations of such, and more).  However, supporting those faculty with appropriate training, resources, finances and timely trouble-shooting has, in my view, a critical role in leading to successful student learning.  So it must be clear that, from my limited viewpoint alone, the many colleagues who made a difference over 30 years numbered in the hundreds, including instructors and support personnel.  So here, I want to mention just a few who specifically made a great personal contribution to my own efforts and those of the evolving team of DL/eL support staff at North Seattle College. 

Where to start?  Maybe at the beginning!  Before I started as an inexperienced distance learning coordinator in November 1997, the DL operation was formed several years earlier and was fully underway under the leadership of Continuing Education Dean Katherine Riley and full-time DL Coordinator Parker Lindner.  These two individuals developed a robust operation focused initially on telecourses (classes based on weekly televised content and a limited number of periodic campus meetings).  An online (that is, web-based) course modality was just underway when I took over Parker's role.  Much more will be described of this early DL history in a later posting.  Here I just want to recognize the important roles that these two dedicated individuals had in setting the tone for a DL operation that would deliver a high-quality, effective learning experience.

Parker Lindner

Parker Lindner was already well-known as a state-wide leader in Distance Learning.  This was clear from her prominence not just at the college but in Washington State's Distance Learning Council.  She generously provided me with many suggestions and ideas when I replaced her.  It was a challenging time for her, I believe, because some issues at the college had made her departure necessary.   At the same time, however, she was leading the college and state to ensure that Distance Learning had a strong quality foundation.  She passed enough on to me (as did Katherine) that I was able to jump in and start to catch up.  

I was hired by the dean of North Seattle Community College's library, John Backes, during a time of transition in  the DL operation.  Shortly after I was hired, John moved to Shoreline Community College and the DL operation once more was under the auspices of Continuing Education Dean Katherine Riley.  Katherine was a creative thinker who would "think outside the box" but with a measured dose of practicality.  She was goal-oriented and had outstanding communication skills.  I received important guidance from Katherine who had a firm grasp of details and issues but also gave her staff "breathing space" to experiment and find the faculty and student support strategies that worked best.  She set me on a path through a period of time when distance learning was being challenged while transforming how effective teaching and learning could take place.