Ray Schroeder Online Learning

About Ray

Ray delivering keynote address at annual Distance Teaching and Learning Conference

Brief Bio

Nationally respected and connected leader in higher education online learning, Ray Schroeder is Senior Fellow of UPCEA (https://upcea.edu/) the Online and Professional Education Assocation, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield https://www.uis.edu/ . After several years as an instructor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he came to the university in Springfield 1977, beginning as assistant professor, then associate, then full professor, prior to becoming an emeritus professor. During his tenure, he launched the online learning program at UIS in 1997. He founded the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service and became Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Learning in 2013, a position held until 2021. To continue research, publication and presentations, Ray was appointed Senior Fellow for Online Learning in the Provost's Office beginning in August, 2021, returning to Professor Emeritus in August, 2022.

The recipient of numerous national awards and citations for individual excellence and leadership from many associations and entities including the Sloan Consortium (OLC), US Distance Learning Association, American Journal of Distance Education, Illinois Council for Continuing Higher Education, University of Wisconsin and University of Illinois, Ray received the honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2023 from UIS and the inaugural UPCEA Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning also in 2023. That award is now named the Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning. Ray is the author of book chapters, articles, widely read curated reading lists, blogs and social media feeds on news and research in online learning / educational technology. Ray is a noted speaker, consultant, researcher, and author on topics related to online learning, emerging educational technologies, and technology-enhanced learning.

group of professional women and men collaborating

Deep Experience and Collaboration

Ray has some 30 years of experience in conceptualizing, building, growing, administering and continuously supporting a successful, highly ranked online and distance learning program that now offers more than four dozen degrees and many certificates fully online. As a leader in the field, he has collaborated and consulted with scores of colleges and universities, both large and small, bringing them success by developing strategies and practices to initiate, advance and enhance their online programs in this increasingly competitive environment. He works directly with faculty members, staff members and administrators to build cohesive teams with a shared purpose and vision.

Conversations

Ray is freely available to share just-in-time advice and perspectives built upon decades of experience and association with scores of online learning programs in higher education. He specializes in deep dives addressing enrollment declines, implementing improved practices and employing enhanced technologies and approaches to achieve desired outcomes. Ray is a frequent writer, blogger, keynote speaker and national presenter on topics related to emerging technologies and the future of higher education. Renown for his "power-pointless" approach, Ray has delivered more than 250 regional, national and international presentations.

College and University Leaders follow Ray

Thousands of leaders at higher education institutions follow Ray's curated reading lists and other publications on a daily basis. Chances are that some of your most respected colleagues do just that. They utilize Ray's open updated feeds to stay abreast of the most relevant and important technologies, trends, and research filtered from the fire hose of new information each day. Many deans, directors and faculty members follow Ray on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and blog feeds (available as free daily emails). They are among the thousands of decision makers in our field who check in with Ray's postings each day. To join them, see the links to Ray's Daily Curated Reading List Blogs and the social media icons below. All are free, updated daily, and spam-free. Many also know Ray through his bi-weekly Trending Now column in Inside Higher Education and through his many other publications.

Daily Curated Reading Lists and Social Media

Blogs with daily updates on the field of online learning in higher education

UPCEA Professional, Continuing and Online Education Update (two million+ views) https://continuingedupdate.blogspot.com/
UPCEA Altcred Blog https://altcred.blogspot.com/
UPCEA AI in Higher Ed https://ai-in-highered.blogspot.com/

Inside Higher Education "Trending Now" Bi-Weekly Columns

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/online-trending-now
https://upcea.edu/online-trending-now/ (complete access back to January 2014)

Social Media

@rayschroeder ~Twitter (3,125 followers) ~ https://twitter.com/rayschroeder
Ray Schroeder ~LinkedIn (5,500 followers) ~ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayschroeder
Ray Schroeder ~ Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/ray.schroeder.39

Book Chapters/co-author

In-depth with Ray Schroeder