The Presenters

Chuck Bennett

Chuck Bennett is a professor of physics and Director of the UNCA Center for Teaching and Learning at UNC Asheville, where he has been since 1982. Chuck holds a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D all from NCSU. CTLT Board member, also served on PDAC (precursor to the CTLT).

James Bossert

James R T Bossert is an E-learning Consultant with the UNC Teaching and Learning with Technology Collaborative. James is studying computer science at NC State University.

Steve Breiner

Steve Breiner is the Associate Director of ITS for Instructional Computing at Appalachian State University and a member of the Board of the UNC TLT Collaborative. He holds a Ph. D. in Chemistry from Duke University and was, until three years ago, teaching in the Department of Chemistry at Appalachian. About that time, he was placed on a special assignment to coordinate a number of exploratory projects at Appalachian dealing with influences of computers on teaching and learning from both faculty and student standpoints.

As the leader of Instructional Computing Services at Appalachian, he is involved in a project to grant laptop computers to faculty in return for their participation in intensive training workshops on using the WebCT course package. His special interests involve acting as consultant, provocateur, and troubleshooter for faculty developing their own instructional uses of computers.

Alisa Chapman

Alisa Chapman is the Director of Instructional Technology for the Division of University-School Programs for the University of North Carolina General Administration. She is charged with the responsibility to direct and manage the growth and development of educational technology and on-line teacher development programs for the University of North Carolina General Administration. She is the driving force behind the development of Learning Link, which will become the primary delivery system for professional development for all public school employees.

Alisa has devoted her entire educational career to information technology and played numerous roles at the state and national level - promoting the use of IT in schools and with the young people of North Carolina. She is recognized for her knowledge and insight and is sought out for advice and leadership - this is evidenced by the boards, commissions, and task forces on which she is invited to serve.

Alisa is a graduate of East Carolina University earning her B.S. in Elementary Education and her M.A. in Instructional Technology.

Melvin N. Johnson

Melvin N. Johnson has just been been appointed Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Winston-Salem State University, effective July 1. He is currently Associate Vice Vhancellor for Academic Affairs, Technology and Telecommunications, at North Carolina A& T State University, where he has primary responsibility for management of computing and telecommunications resources; distance learning and training programs; and oversight of the school of graduate studies. After receiving his undergraduate degree in economics from North Carolina A & T, Johnson earned the Master of Arts degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He obtained MBA and doctorate degrees in Business Economics and Public Policy from Indiana University, Bloomington. His postdoctoral studies include the Harvard Institute for Higher Education and Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware.

Dr. Johnson is currently the chair of the UNC TLT Collaborative.

Rowanne Joyner

Rowanne Joyner is Instructional Technology Specialist for Student Computing at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her responsibilities include management of the Student Technology Fee budget, management of 13 general computing labs (Mac & PC), training and management of 40+ student workers, design and maintenance of Student Computing web pages, and coordination of cross-campus lab manager communication. She additionally serves as Computing Services representative to the Campus Reprographics Solution Project and Educational Support Services Sub-Committee for The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Tony Kane

A. J. "Tony" Kane is Associate Director of Statewide Technology for the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program operating out of the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). Tony assumed the position after it was created 2 years ago in an effort to provide central leadership for integrating technology among the nine regional AHECs that span the state. Tony held a similar position with the Veterans Health Administration's 22-campus Employee Education System (EES).

Tony holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from West Virginia University and a Masters degree in Computer and Information Science from East Tennessee State University. Tony has held various computing positions in both the public and private sector throughout his career.

Barbara Kirby

Barbara M. Kirby is Assistant Director of Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University. She directs the College Honors Program, provides leadership in the area of information technology and distance learning, and assists in developing outside funding for technology initiatives. Her responsibilities include monitoring institutional effectiveness, updating strategic planning efforts, promoting teaching and advising effectiveness, assisting in activities surrounding recruitment, new student orientation and freshman transition.

Dr. Kirby's academic appointment is Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education where she served as a faculty member for 13 years.

Beth Leftwich

Work: Western Carolina University - Academic Computing Consultant in the Coulter Faculty Center (1996-current). Adjunct faculty in the College of Education. Mitchell Community College - Director of Educational Support Services (1979 - 1995) Gaston College - Director of Institutional Effectiveness (1995 - 1996) Education: Currently, I am ABD from WCU's Ed.D. program. I am in the final stages of completing my dissertation on "Events and Experiences Effecting University Freshmen Attitudes of Computer Technology." M.Ed. (educational administration) from UNCC B.S. from WCU in educational technology.

Margaret Mertz

Margaret Mertz, Dean (1999) B.A., St. John's College, Santa Fe; M.A., Ph.D., Harvard University, Music. Visiting Tutor, St. John's College, Santa Fe, summer 1988; Visiting Lecturer, Harvard University, 1990-91; Instructor and Head of Music Program, Armand Hammer United World College of the American West, 1991-93; Assistant Professor of Music 1993-1997, Associate Professor of Music and Chair, Department of Communication and Fine Arts 1997-99, New Mexico Highlands University. Who's Who of America's Teachers 1996/1998. Chief Examiner in Music, International Baccalaureate Organisation, 1995-present; International Baccalaureate Organisation Research Committee, 1998-present.

Robert Orr

Robert Orr is a Computer Consultant in The Coulter Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning at Western Carolina University. He was highly active in Western's Freshmen Computer Requirement efforts and has recently been involved in the development of the Collaborative Advanced Technology Area(CATA) at Western. With a background in electronics and communications, he has been engaged with instructional technology for a number of years and enjoys exploring the use of technology to enhance learning outcomes for students. He is a past Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award winner at Western and continues to work for the proper blend of technology into the teaching and learning process.

Dr. Helen Parke

Dr. Helen Parke, Associate Professor of Science Education, ECU, is Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Instructional Technology Research (CIITR), the TLT Center at ECU. CIITR has recently purchased the RAVE system and ONYX2 to investigate the enhancement of learning through visualization. Dr. Parke is co-project director with Dr. Chuck Bennett, professor of Physics at UNCA, on the Cisco e-learning engine project. Helen and ECU's CIO Jeff Huskamp have been awarded an NSF grant ($1.03 million) for Developing Educational Leadership in Computational Science, a national level initiative. She is a Board member of the TLTC.

Susan Peck

Education: Master's in Instructional Technology - Computer Specialist Undergraduate degree - University of Maryland, University College in Technology Management (BS) Work Experience: Instructional Technology Specialist - Elizabeth City State University Teaching - Introduction to Computers at College of The Albemarle, Introduction to Teaching with Technology for the Teacher's Education department - ECSU.

Dr. Frank Prochaska

Dr. Frank Prochaska chaired the Computer Implementation Team, which guided Western Carolina University's efforts to require personal computers for all incoming freshmen in the fall of 1998. In his position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, he continues to advocate student use of technology to achieve greater educational outcomes and serves as a board member to the Teaching and Learning with Technology Collaborative for the University of North Carolina System.

Ray Purdom

Ray Purdom is the Director of the University Teaching and Learning Center at UNCG. He started at UNCG in November of 1996. He is Physicist by formal training - BS - Physics at Duke, MS, PhD - Physics at Purdue. Purdom spent most of his career at Kentucky Wesleyan College teaching physics and serving 6 years as Dean of the College and 1 year as Interim President. He spent 1 year as Deans Fellow at the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C. before coming to UNCG.

Henry Schaffer

Henry Schaffer is a Professor of Genetics and Biomathematics and Coordinator of Special IT Projects at North Carolina State University. His interest and involvement in the use of computing and data communications in teaching and learning span two decades.

Ben Ward

Ben Ward has worked at Western Carolina University since 1981 where he served as Instructional Services Coordinator from 1981 to 1988 and as founding director of the Coulter Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning from 1988 to the present.