In the last year, more than 260 faculty members have completed the Online Orientation course that it is part of Metro State's comprehensive training program for online instructors. The program was developed and initiated as a result of the Online Task Force Report and the HLC visit in 2007.

In addition to the orientation course, an Online Faculty Certification Program was developed to provide faculty with advanced training.The certification program involves three additional online courses and requires more than 20 hours of self-paced work.The three courses are:

•  Designing Your Course
• Assessments and Assignments
• The Art of E-Learning

During the 2007-08 academic year, 26 faculty members completed the coursework and were awarded Online Faculty Certification. They are:

Laurence Botnick, adjunct instructor of social work
Donald Chang, associate professor of marketing
Kelly Comcowich, adjunct instructor of English
Rick Crosser, professor of accounting
Ann Diker, assistant professor of health professions
Antoinette Earnhardt, adjunct instructor of speech communication
Cherrlyn Eller, adjunct instructor of English
Judson Faurer, professor of management
Kimberly Fielding, distance education specialist for
   Social Work department
Janos Fustos, professor of computer information systems
Guy Heyl, adjunct professor of civil engineering technology
Susan Krems, adjunct instructor of health professions
Annette Lege, adjunct lecturer of computer information systems
Jeff Lewis, assistant professor of marketing
Linda Lockwood, professor of psychology
Lisa Ortiz, assistant professor of technical communication and
   media production
Ronnie Peacock, adjunct instructor of history
Cheryl Sanders, assistant professor of psychology
Vicki Seehusen, adjunct lecturer of computer information systems
Dianne Shantz, assistant professor of nursing
Linda Stroup, assistant professor of nursing
Teresa Tapp, adjunct instructor of speech communication
Jefferey Taylor, associate professor of English
Barbara Uliss, professor of accounting
Peter Vigil, assistant professor of teacher education
Terri York, adjunct instructor of English

I'm excited to recognize these faculty for their commitment to high-quality online instruction," said Jeff Lewis, director of online learning. "They have demonstrated their commitment to Metro students by investing time and effort to sharpen their skills."

Lewis added that many more faculty members are currently working on the certification and are expected to complete the coursework this summer.

The Orientation and Certification Programs are ongoing and all faculty members are welcome to participate. For more information, go to: http://www.mscd.edu/academic/wit/resources/vistatraining/.