Digital education announcement, 9-6-2017

Dear Colleagues, 

For some time, we have recognized that our two campuses have a tremendous opportunity to accelerate and extend our presence in online education, but that we are not positioned to take full advantage of this opportunity.  This is not the fault of anyone who has been involved in building or delivering our online capacity and services, but rather, recognition that we have undercapitalized these efforts.  We know the role of online education will grow both as a way for our current students to take full advantage of the convenience of online and blended instruction, and to reach new learners whose needs include traditional degree programs as well as market-driven professional development courses and certificates. 

We have determined that to capitalize on this aggressive growth opportunity, three components are needed: a strong technology infrastructure, focused academic leadership, and a robust marketing and business strategy. 

Our CU Online team, led by David Thomas, will continue to provide the technology backbone and support for online students and faculty. On the academic side, a position as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Digital Education was created last spring. With our appreciation to Provost Nairn and the search committee chaired by John Bennett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation Initiatives, we are pleased to announce that a selection has been made. Sheana Salyers Bull, a tenured professor and chair in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health in the Colorado School of Public Health, will begin a half-time appointment in that role October 1. Dr. Bull has substantive experience leading digital education initiatives including designing and implementing the first online MPH program in CSPH, and developing and teaching fully online graduate level courses and programs. 

We are also pleased to announce the hiring of Scot Chadwick as Executive Director of Digital Education. Mr. Chadwick brings extensive experience as an education technology leader and advisor to higher education executives across the country whose institutions are widely viewed as leaders in online education. He has worked for eCollege, Pearson eCollege, Pearson, and most recently Triseum, a game-based learning company focused on blending cutting-edge video game experiences with deep educational expertise.  Mr. Chadwick will join us September 7 and we believe his track record in designing and carrying out effective marketing and business strategies for digital education will catalyze substantial growth in educational offerings and revenue generation for our campuses. 

Dr. Bull and Mr. Chadwick will report to both chancellors.  This will ensure that the expansion of digital education receives support at the highest levels of our organization.  Their first priority will be inventorying our current online offerings and assessing where additional demand and opportunities exist.  This will lead to building and executing a strategic plan for the growth of digital education offerings and enrollment on both campuses.  They will be working closely with our academic and business leadership to implement these growth strategies, and will coordinate with the CU Online Academic Technology staff to facilitate both existing and new offerings. 

We are confident that these investments are essential for our campuses to address the changing and growing demand for education that takes full advantage of technology and enhances and leverages the quality, breadth, accessibility, and affordability of what we offer.  On the Denver campus, they will share an office on the 3rd floor of the Lawrence Street Center adjacent to the Office of Research Services.  Details are being finalized for a permanent location on the Anschutz campus.  In the meantime, they can be reached via email:  scot.chadwick@ucdenver.edu and sheana.bull@ucdenver.edu. Please join us in welcoming Sheana and Scot to their new roles.

Sincerely,​