Whiteside recognized for distance learning and online course design
PASADENA, Texas — Niki Whiteside, San Jacinto College vice president for educational technology services, has been appointed to the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) eLearning Council (eLC).
The Council serves to inform TACC on current and emerging issues in distance learning and educational telecommunications and plays a vital role in guiding the Virtual College of Texas (VCT) and the State of Texas Academic Resource Link (STARLINK) in their roles as statewide service providers. VCT is a collaborative of Texas community and technical colleges that aims to increase access to higher education and improve student success through sharing of eLearning resources among Texas two-year colleges. STARLINK provides professional development for higher education faculty, staff, and administrators through online presentations. Whiteside will serve as one of two representatives for the Southeast Texas region.
“Distance learning demand continues to grow at San Jacinto College and other institutions throughout the state,” said Whiteside, who is also chair of the College’s Technology Users Council. “I am excited to have this opportunity to participate on the TACC eLearning Council and to be involved with recommendations for the future of distance learning in Texas.”
San Jacinto College Vice Chancellor for Learning and Student Success and Interim President at the Central and South Campuses, Dr. Laurel Williamson, says that Whiteside and her team continue to develop innovative best practices when it comes to online learning and instructional design support. “San Jacinto College maintains a level of excellence in its distance education programs through the leadership of Niki Whiteside,” commented Williamson. “Her division provides required faculty pedagogical training through the online course, ACAdemic, which stands for Active, Collaborative, and Authentic learning for students. In addition, she and her staff provide instructional design support for individual courses, new software training, and the College’s learning management system. In all these endeavors, she strives for creativity and outstanding service.”
In June, Whiteside was recognized by the Rotary District 5890, as its “District 5890 Rising Star” for her work in social media. She has been instrumental in improving the Pasadena and District 5890 rotary organizations’ social media presence, making rotary news accessible to current and new members, along with the outside community. “This was a great surprise to me. There are so many people involved in Rotary who give so much, and I am honored and humbled that any effort that I have put forth would be recognized at this level,” said Whiteside.
In July, Whiteside and her team received the 2012 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Course Design for significant achievements in course design accomplished using the online learning software. San Jacinto College was among a select group of Blackboard clients that were recognized at their annual users’ conference. The award program is designed to enhance the visibility of the innovation taking place at each institution and to recognize the efforts staff members are making that directly impact teaching and learning programs.
About San Jacinto College: Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.
For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, visit www.sanjac.edu, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SanJacintoCollege.
Photo: Niki Whiteside, San Jacinto College vice president for educational technology services, and the College’s instructional design team recently received the 2012 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Course Design. Pictured left to right: Niki Whiteside, vice president for educational technology services; Dr. Catherine O’Brien, associate vice chancellor for learning; Sherry Ransdell, director of instructional design services; Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Chancellor; Leslie Childress, instructional designer; David Kohne, instructional designer; and Sedrick Sexton, instructional designer. Not pictured: Huff Mann, instructional designer; Laura Armer, instructional designer; and Dr. Chris Duke, director of curriculum development innovation and assessment. Photo credit: Amanda Booren, San Jacinto College marketing department.