Dr. Anthony Piña will bring years of experience in both teaching and technology support as director of online education and chief online learning officer, a newly created position at the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT). Piña will join the CTLT team ready to explore new avenues of teaching, program delivery, and student success. He starts on June 1.
“Distance learning in all of its forms, from individual courses to fully online degree programs, is integral to the future of Illinois State University,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Aondover Tarhule. “Dr. Piña’s exceptional set of experiences and expertise will help us to chart this new course.”
Piña currently serves as associate provost at Sullivan University. A nationally recognized expert in online and distance education and educational technology, Piña has won numerous awards, has published six books, and has more than 80 scholarly and professional publications. He has served as a consultant to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, local government agencies, non-profit organizations, the U.S. Department of Defense, and educational institutions across the country.
Piña earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education from Brigham Young University, a Master of Science from Sullivan University, and a Doctor of Education from La Sierra University. He has taught at K-12, community college, and university levels.
“Dr. Piña assumes an important role in a re-envisioned CTLT,” said Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino, assistant vice president for faculty development, diversity, and learning. “CTLT has a long history of providing excellent support for individual instructors who teach online. Now, as the University’s chief online learning officer, Dr. Piña will be essential in the development and launch of whole online degree and certificate programs.”
“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to work with talented and caring professionals across Illinois State to provide enhanced learning opportunities for our Redbirds, regardless of where they live,” Piña said.
The many other ways that CTLT supports instructors will continue under the leadership of a new director of scholarly teaching, who will also hold the Cross Endowed Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Piña will work closely with that person, who is expected to be hired in the coming weeks.
