Biography

I am an online learning leader, author, and practitioner with extensive experience advancing online and digital learning in higher education. I hold a PhD in Teaching and Learning (Educational Technology) from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and remain deeply passionate about advancing high-quality online education as well as preparing the next generation of online learning professionals. Throughout my career, I have focused on creating engaging, learner-centered experiences that empower students, faculty, and institutions to thrive in digital learning environments.

Over the course of my career, I have led the development and growth of online programs at multiple colleges and universities and consulted with institutions on the administration, strategy, and scaling of online education initiatives. I have taught courses in instructional methods, educational multimedia, instructional and course design, eLearning, online education administration and leadership, and related areas. While completing my graduate studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, I supported P–16 teacher candidates in the College of Education. I also facilitated professional development workshops for the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), served as a mentor for the OLC Online Teaching Certificate Program, and mentored professionals through the EDUCAUSE Mentoring Program.

Currently, I serve as the Interim University Executive Director of CUNY Online at the City University of New York (CUNY). In this role, I provide university-wide leadership for online learning strategy, innovation, faculty support, instructional design, and student success initiatives across one of the nation’s largest urban public university systems. My work focuses on advancing scalable, high-quality online education, strengthening institutional collaboration, supporting academic innovation, and expanding equitable access to learning opportunities for diverse student populations.

I am also an active author and contributor to the field of online teaching and learning. I contributed several chapters to The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer: Purpose, Process, and Practicalities of Creating Online Courses in Higher Education (Routledge, 2021). My co-authored books include Best Practices in Designing Courses with Open Educational Resources (OER) (Routledge, 2020), Best Practices for Mentoring in Online Programs: Supporting Faculty and Students in Higher Education (Routledge, 2023), and the forthcoming 5th edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide (Routledge, 2026), which continues to serve as a foundational resource for faculty and online learning professionals.

I regularly consult on topics including strategic growth and scaling of online programs, building institutional capacity for online education, quality assurance and assessment, distance learning regulations and compliance, instructional and course design, faculty development and preparation for online teaching, mentoring in online environments, open educational resources, and digital learning innovation.

Originally from Ukraine, I came to the United States in 2004 as a recipient of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) fellowship through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). That experience ultimately led me to pursue my PhD in Teaching and Learning Processes (Educational Technology) at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and shaped my lifelong commitment to education, access, and global learning.