Innovating Online Program Infrastructure: Navigating Growth and Strategic Change

Concurrent Session 3
Leadership

Brief Abstract

This interactive workshop explores strategies for innovating program infrastructure, addressing support challenges, and ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining educational excellence. Attendees will gain insights from rapid growth of a scalable affordable online program at a research institution, learning how to overcome obstacles and drive positive change in their own institutions.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Tawnya Means, University of Illinois - Gies College of Business

Dr. Tawnya Means is the Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation and Chief Learning Officer in the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to this role, Tawnya served as the Assistant Dean and Director of the Teaching and Learning Center for the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida, leading teaching and learning support and providing faculty development programs and resources for instructional innovation and adoption of pedagogical best practices. With 20 years of experience in higher education, course design, and educational consulting, Tawnya has also taught courses in entrepreneurship, strategy, technology, and leadership in remote teams. Dr. Means received her B.S. in Education, M.S. in Educational Technology, and Ph.D. in Information Science and Learning Technologies with an emphasis on learning systems design, all from the University of Missouri. She completed the AACSB Post-doctoral bridge program in Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida. Her research interests are in online and blended learning, active learning, learning space design, technology for teaching, access to digital learning resources, and faculty preparation to teach. She has long been a leader in campus initiatives and committees and actively presents at conferences and other institutions and organizations on technology-enhanced learning.

Co-presenter: Phillip David Johnson II, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign / LMLLC

Dave Johnson has served in executive administrator roles for three land-grant institutions, working in areas of learning and teaching, instructional design, academic and learning analytics, and information technology. He has led business operations, strategic change initiatives, and program and team-building. Currently, Dave works as a educational strategist for the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and he has served as a consultant for a number of higher education institutions for the past four years.

Extended Abstract

After remarkable enrollment growth driven by brand recognition, affordability, and flexibility at a research institution in their online graduate degree programs, the surge in student numbers has strained support services and highlighted the need for innovation not only to distinguish programs but also to enhance the quality of learning. This express workshop explores strategies for innovating program infrastructure, addressing support challenges, and ensuring sustainable growth. Attendees will gain insights from the presenters to overcome obstacles and drive positive change in their own institutions.

Leaders in higher education are constantly seeking ways to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing educational landscape. The growth of online programs presents unique challenges that require innovative solutions. This express workshop is specifically designed to address the needs of leaders who are grappling with managing growth, optimizing resources, and driving strategic change in the context of online program infrastructure. Leaders in online and blended learning will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to navigate these challenges successfully.

The workshop incorporates interactive components to foster engagement and facilitate meaningful discussions among participants. These components include:

  • Small Group Discussions: Participants will be divided into smaller groups to discuss and share their experiences, challenges, and strategies related to online program growth and infrastructure. This collaborative approach allows participants to learn from one another and gain diverse perspectives.

  • Presentation: Participants will examine a real-world case study highlighting a successful example of an innovative program infrastructure and strategic change initiative. Through analysis and discussion, participants will gain actionable insights that can be applied to their own institutions.

  • Interactive Exercises: Interactive exercises will be conducted to encourage participants to brainstorm creative solutions to common challenges faced in online program infrastructure. These exercises will promote critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

By the end of the express workshop, attendees will take away:

  • Strategies for Innovating Program Infrastructure: Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to innovate in online program infrastructure, including operational improvements, process optimization, and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the learning experience.

  • Effective Resource Management: Attendees will learn practical techniques to effectively manage limited resources such as staff, time, and budget, while ensuring the sustainability and growth of online programs.

  • Driving Strategic Change: Participants will explore frameworks and approaches to drive strategic change within their institutions, aligning program goals with operational strategies and fostering a culture of innovation.

  • Insights from Peer Collaboration: Through group discussions and interactive activities, participants will have the opportunity to learn from their peers, exchange best practices, and gain valuable insights from diverse perspectives.

Importance to the Conference Theme:

This express workshop strongly aligns with the conference theme of Creating Connections: Uniting Learners through Collaboration and Creativity. In the context of online program infrastructure, collaboration and creativity are key to addressing the challenges faced by higher education leaders. By bringing together a diverse group of participants, this workshop fosters collaboration, encourages the exchange of ideas, and creates a platform for leaders to collectively explore innovative approaches to enhance online learning experiences. By equipping leaders with strategies to navigate growth and drive strategic change, this workshop contributes to the conference's overarching goal of fostering connections and collaboration among learners in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.