Denise Swett, Ed.D., has over 20 years of experience in higher education. She has been the vice president of student services at Cañada College and the dean of students at Chabot College and worked in student services at the University of San Francisco. Denise is a member of the Community College Advisory Board for NASPA, has an Ed.D. from the University of San Francisco, a MPA and BS from San Jose State University, and is currently the Acting Vice President Student Development & Instruction and Associate Vice President, Middlefield Campus & Community Programs at Foothill College.
Foothill College was one of the first California community colleges to offer online learning. With the recent passage of the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Dr. Swett has been working with the college community to provide distance education support services for students. Using commercially available solutions as well as “home-grown” programs, Foothill continues their commitment to add services for students who are enrolled in online courses.
Dr. Christina “Tina” Royalhas been involved in education and training for over 15 years, in both academic (community college and private four-year institutions) and corporate environments. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President, eLearning & Innovation at Cuyahoga Community College and has district-wide oversight over one of the largest distance learning units in Ohio. Her extensive experience as an administrator, faculty member and instructional designer of online and blended instruction allows her to bring significant expertise and value to discussions, and a forward-thinking approach to ideas associated with contemporary teaching and learning practices, approaches, issues and solutions.
Dr. Royal recently secured a $2M federal grant to enhance distance learning in four key areas: student success and retention, innovative faculty development, infrastructure and technology, and quality. She also led the College in obtaining its first regional accreditation for fully online programs at Cuyahoga. Dr. Royal currently serves as the chair of the EDUCAUSE Advisory Committee on Teaching and Learning.
