Rhonda D. Blackburn, PhD
979-255-0289 ˑ rblackburn91@gmail.com
Summary: Dynamic leader with over 30 years’ experience in academia, non-profit, and corporate settings. Passion for and extensive experience with teaching high school to graduate students; training employees, faculty, and staff; presenting; implementing technology and integrating enterprise solutions; counseling; supervising within a diverse environment; and plan and implement building and classroom specifications. Proven ability to bring diverse groups together into a cohesive team and interacting with all levels of administration. Ability to create and implement strategic initiatives and evaluate ROI with the added ability to manage large budgets. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Highly organized and extremely detail-oriented. Proven ability to work from home, yet can travel when needed. Very positive attitude and committed to excellence in customer service.
Notable Accomplishments:
- Promoted quickly to management
- Prioritized and executed on departmental needs through developing and managing large budgets
- Led the development of extensive training programs with excellent ROI.
- Increased the use of technology while chairing policies and procedures committees
- Garnered 90-99% satisfaction and closing ratings on all professional development and training programs
- Awarded the Don Foshee Award for Outstanding Leadership
- Increased engagement and authentic teaching through the development of the Teaching Certification Program.
- Leading a team of individuals who are distributed across Texas to develop a professional development course for future or current teachers and trainers
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy
Educational Psychology; Emphasis: Career Development Education, Specialty: Human Resource Development – Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Master of Arts
Psychology – Pepperdine University, Irvine, CA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology, Minor: Math – Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Work Experience:
Corporate Experience:
Strut Learning; Dallas, TX (WFH) April 2021 – Present
Executive position
- Senior Director for Academic Services and Client Success
- Consult with university and corporate partners to redesign courses to create Competency Based and Prior Learning Assessment Courses
- Guide faculty and subject matter experts through the process of redesign
- Build strategic initiatives to create client success
- Develop academic services to provide ongoing support and strategic guidance to university administration
South College; Dallas, Tx (WFH) April 2021 – March 2022
Consultant position
- Educational Consultant / Subject Matter Expert
- Develop doctoral level competency-based courses for higher education leadership emphasis
- Work with instructional designer and project manager to keep on track and develop well designed and robust courses
BNED LoudCloud; Dallas, TX (WFH) January 2014 – July 2019
Executive position
- VP & Chief Academic Officer
- Led Competency-based and OER efforts
- Counseled the clients on competency-based initiatives and curriculum development
- Improved client retention through the development of a strong user community
- Engaged the user community through the development of strong training and documentation
- Coached the user experience and product development team on product development
Desire2Learn; Kitchener, ON (WFH) September 2011 – January 2014
Positions
- Senior Advisory Consultant
- Consult with clients on eLearning initiatives, accreditation, and analytics
- Strategic Account Manager
- Maintained 100% retention through the management of state-wide implementations
- Guided schools in the use of eLearning technologies and products
Additional corporate experience: Ignite Nation, Vantage Foundation, B&B Consulting, Abacus Consulting, Ogden Environmental and Engineering Services, Health Services Personnel
University Level Experience:
University of Texas at Dallas; Dallas, TX August 2007 – December 2014
Executive positions
- Associate Provost of Educational Enhancement
- Supervised diverse staff members within three divisions into one cohesive team
- Lead teaching and learning initiatives and training
- Lead instructional technology offerings, committees, and trainings
- Built faculty development program
- Lead video and media services
- Researched and restructured the classroom experience
- Assistant Provost of Institutional Effectiveness
- Supervised diverse staff members
- Managed faculty accreditation process
- Developed and delivered faculty development
Teaching positions
- Adjunct Professor in Math and Science Education
- Adjunct Assistant Professor in Child Development
Texas A&M University; College Station, TX August 2000 – July 2007
Management and Executive positions
- Assistant Director for Instructional Technology Services
- Supervised trainers, consultants, and instructional designers
- Lead academic side of the department
- Built faculty development program
- Lead instructional technology initiatives, committees, and trainings
- Lead IT Consultant of Instructional Technology Services
- Supervised trainers, consultants, and instructional designers
- Built faculty development program
- Lead instructional technology initiatives, committees, and trainings
- Interim Director of Instructional Technology Services
- Supervised trainers, consultants, instructional designers, and system administrators
- Built faculty development program
- Lead instructional technology initiatives, committees, and trainings
- Developed departmental budget and came under budget
Teaching positions
- Adjunct Assistant Professor for Educational Human Resource Development and Career Development Education
- Lecturer for Psychology
University of Maryland, University College; Adelphi, MD September 2012 – Present
Teaching position
- Adjunct Professor for Masters of Distance Education
Additional university teaching experience: University of North Texas, Tarleton State University, Blinn College, Asheboro Community College, Guildford Technical Community College, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
PK12 Experience:
Harrison Intermediate School; Wylie ISD; Wylie, TX September 2021 – Present
Mentor position
- Mentor student on emotional, personal, and academic development and awareness
PTA position
- President – 2021-2023 – lead PTA Executive Board and collaborate with PTA Council
Wylie ISD Council of PTA’s; Wylie, TX September 2019 – Present
PTA position
- SHAC / Healthy Lifestyle Chair – 2021-2023 – Chaired the district SHAC (School Healthy Advisory Council) committee and provided recommendations to the school board on health issues and curriculum. Organized and conducted a district-wide Healthy Lifestyle event with sponsors, vendors, food, speakers, Maverick’s Champ, giveaways, and activities.
- SAGE Chair – 2019-2021 – organized the SAGE (Special and Gifted Education) CARE (Creating Awareness and Respect Education) Workshop for the PTAs in the district and conducted the SAGE Expo that included sponsors, vendors, food truck, speakers, and activities
Wylie ISD Education Foundation; Wylie, TX September 2017 – Present
- VP of Development – 2018-2020 – support foundation with development initiatives
- Board Member – 2017-2018 – support school district through foundation
Akin Elementary School; Wylie ISD; Wylie, TX September 2017 – May 2021
Mentor position
- Mentor student on emotional, personal, and academic development and awareness
Cox Elementary School; Wylie ISD; Wylie, TX September 2016 – May 2023
Mentor position
- Mentor student on emotional, personal, and academic development and awareness
PTA position
- President – 2017-2019 & 2020-2021 – lead PTA Executive Board and collaborate with PTA Council
- 1st VP of Aide – 2019-2020 – support the President and provide guidance to the chairs
- SAGE Chair – 2016-2017 – developed and conducted CARE Workshop for the school
Plano Senior High School; Plano ISD; Plano, TX September 2015 – May 2018
Mentor position
- Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E. Mentor for a senior for college and business awareness
New Century Montessori Academy; Garland, TX September 2010 – February 2014
Consultant position
- Consulted on developing accreditation documentation
- Developed faculty and parent professional development
Bryan Independent School District; Bryan, TX January 2000 – July 2000 & September 1989 – July 1993
Teaching positions
- Teacher for Algebra I and Math Models
- Teacher and Curriculum Developer for Introduction to Algebra, Algebra I and Geometry
- Student Teacher for Algebra I and Algebra II
- Substitute Teacher for all disciplines and grades
Additional K12 experience: Coweta County School System, Hidden Lake Academy
Skills:
Certifications
- Blackboard: Blackboard Certified Trainer May 2006
- Texas A&M University: Distance Education Instructional Design May 2006
- ASTD: Certified Professional in Learning and Performance April 2005
- Texas Education Agency: Texas Secondary Teaching Certification in Mathematics December 1991
Other Skills
| · Leadership and vision | · Change management |
| · Strategic planning | · Small to large group instruction |
| · Presentation and facilitation | · Face-to-face and online instruction |
| · Online curriculum/content development | · Team building and cohesion |
| · Problem solving | · Creating and implementing standards |
| · Project management | · Enterprise solutions integration |
| · Media and AV integration | · Accreditation |
Service:
Awards
Texas Digital Learning Association Hall of Fame, 2022
Bennie Tschoerner Aware for Outstanding Commitment to TxDLA by an Individual, 2021
United States Distance Learning Association Hall of Fame, 2020
Don Foshee Award for Outstanding Leadership, Texas Distance Learning Association, 2010
University Committees
Member, UT Dallas Committee on Effective Teaching, 2008 – 2011
Co-Chair, UT Dallas Ad Hoc Classroom Committee, 2008 – 2011
Member, UT Dallas Information Resources Security, Planning, and Policy Committee, 2007 – 2011
RUO, UT Dallas Committee on Learning Management Systems, 2007 – 2011
Member, UT Dallas Committee on Distance Learning, 2007 – 2011
Chair, TAMU WebCT Advocacy Team, 2003 – 2007
Secretary, TAMU Instructional Technology Council, 2003 – 2007
Member, TAMU Web Accessibility Rule Task Force, 2003 – 2004
Professional Organizations
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), 2002; Advisory Board, 2010-2015; Board of Directors, 2015-present
Texas Distance/Digital Learning Association (TxDLA), 2000; Member at Large, 2006-2007; President-Elect, 2007-2008; President, 2008-2009; Immediate Past President, 2009-2010; Corporate Representative, 2017-2023; CIO, 2023-2026
National Universities Technology Network (NUTN), 2011; Advisory Board, 2013-2018, Vice-Chair, 2017-2018
Texas Blackboard Users Group (T-BUG), 2006; President, 2010
American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), 2002
Speaking Engagements:
Keynotes
- Blackburn, R.D. (2022, May). Workshop for Leadership Development and Department Cohesion. Workshop for the Trinity Valley Community College Academic Leadership Team.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2021, November). Guest Speaker on Online Learning and the COVID Response. Presentation for the eLearning Symposium at Del Mar College.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2016, August). Reimagining Testing. Presentation for the National College Testing Association Annual Conference, Seattle, WA.
- Blackburn, R. (2016, June). Reimagining Collaboration. Presentation for the NETnet Annual Conference, Tyler, TX.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2015, January). LoudCloud: Equipping Faculty and Institutions for Competency Based Education. Presentation for the Faculty Development Series for the University System of Georgia via video conference from Dallas, TX to Georgia.
- Bigenho, C.W., & Blackburn, R.D. (2010, July). Learning Through the Social. . Colegios hacienda los alcaparros, Bogota, Colombia.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2010, June). Engaging Students Through Best Practices. University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Blackburn, R.D., & Bigenho, C.W. (2008, July). Instructional Technology to Improve Learning and Engage Students. Colegios hacienda los alcaparros, Bogota, Colombia.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2008, April). Build it, They will…Use it. Presentation for Wimba Distinguished Lecture Series, via desktop conference from Richardson, TX to the world.
Presentations (for presentations 1993 – 2015, please inquire)
- Blackburn, R.D. & Olenik, V. (2022, March). Getting Outside Your Box. Presentation at the annual Texas Digital Learning Association 2022 Conference.
- Blackburn, R.D. & Watkins, H. (2022, March). Leading the Way. Presentation at the annual Texas Digital Learning Association 2022 Conference.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2021, December). Impowering through Leading. Presentation at the annual International Forum for Women of eLearning 2021 Conference.
- Blackburn, R.D. & Powell, M. (2021, April). R.E.M.O.T.E. Is How We Do It. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference.
- Blackburn, R.D., Smith, R. Poulin, R., Uranis, J., Mathes, J., & Adair, D. (2020, November). Leadership in Online Education. Presentation at the annual USDLA National Distance Learning Week.
- Blackburn, R.D., Smith, R., Brown, M., Kacina Softic, S., Blaschke, L., & Powell, M. (2020, November). NDLW USDLA Welcome & State of the Association. Presentation at the annual USDLA National Distance Learning Week.
- Blackburn, R.D. & Powell, M. (2020, October). R.E.M.O.T.E. Is How We Do It. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Virtual Conference
- Blackburn, R.D. (2019, May). The Power of Data. Presentation at the annual meeting for the United States Distance Learning Association, Nashville, TN.
- Birney, V. & Blackburn, R.D. (2018, October). One Size Does Not Fit All. Presentation at the annual meeting for the WICHE Consortium for Educational Technology, Portland, OR.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2018, May). Partnership Impact: Developing the Workforce. Presentation at the annual meeting for the United States Distance Learning Association Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
- Krane, D. & Blackburn, R.D. (2018, March). A major redesign of a gateway course at Wright State University. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference, Dallas, TX.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2018, March). Partnership Impact: Developing the Workforce. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference, Dallas, TX.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2017, October). Partnership Impact: Developing the Workforce. Presentation at the annual meeting for the National University Technology Network, San Antonio, TX.
- Blackburn, R.D., Crouse, S., & Thayer, P. (2017, June). Aligning Investments to Support Core Functions. Presentation at the annual meeting for the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technology Leadership Summit, Seattle, WA.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2017, May). Driving into the Future with OER. Presentation at the annual meeting for the United States Distance Learning Association Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
- Blackburn, R.D. (2017, April). Taking the Next Adventure with OER. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference, Galveston, TX.
- Blackburn, R.D., & Copeland, J. (2017, April). Distance Learning in Corporate America. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference, Galveston, TX.
- Blackburn, R. D. (2016, December). Open Educational Resources: Friend or Foe. Presentation at the annual meeting for the International Forum for Women of eLearning Conference, San Antonio, TX
- Blackburn, R. D. (2016, September). Competency Based Education Panel. Presentation at the annual meeting for the National Universities Technology Network Conference, Clearwater, FL.
- Blackburn, R. D. (2016, September). Accessibility Panel Moderator. Presentation at the annual meeting for the National Universities Technology Network Conference, Clearwater, FL.
- Blackburn, R. D. (2016, April). Competencies and Badges: Let’s Play A Game!. Presentation at the annual meeting for the United States Distance Learning Association Conference, St. Louis, MO.
- Blackburn, R. D. (2016, March). Are you competent: Finding your inner hero. Presentation at the annual meeting for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Any additional information will be sent upon request.
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