Katie Sprute

Katie Sprute, M.Ed. is the 2024 L.O.P.E. Conference Chair. She is a seasoned leader with 20 years of experience in education, project management and leadership. Katie joined GCU in 2013 and has served as a Faculty Chair in the Department of Online Teaching and Learning (DoTL) for nearly 10 years and as an assistant professor in the College of Education. In addition to Katie’s work at GCU she is also a consultant, trainer, presenter, and researcher. Sprute’s research interests include structural empowerment, job embeddedness, Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in higher education, online teaching and learning, and strategies for supporting community among remote employees. Katie is currently ABD in her Ph.D. in General Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Sheila Damiani

Dr. Damiani is the 2024 Co-Chair of the L.O.P.E. Conference. She is a life-long educator whose passion for academic excellence and online learning has been a driving force throughout her career. Joining Grand Canyon University in 2012, Dr. Damiani has held multiple key roles, currently serving as the Faculty Chair for the Department of Online Teaching and Learning. She oversees a team of online full-time faculty. In this capacity, she collaborates closely with faculty, leadership, staff, and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality education within the online platform.

With a background in education, Dr. Damiani previously taught in the J.O. Combs school district, where she engaged with students across various age groups. Her academic journey includes a B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education from Grand Canyon University.

Dr. Damiani’s commitment to professional growth is evident in her dedication to staying current with evolving educational trends. She actively participates in scholarly endeavors and has shared her insights at numerous conferences, with a particular focus on online education. Dr. Damiani has a passion for developing relationships, cultivating a culture of continuous growth, and supporting the department with professional development.  With her blend of academic expertise and practical experience, Dr. Damiani continues to inspire and empower educators in their pursuit of excellence.

Email: [email protected]

Rick Holbeck

Rick Holbeck, Ed.S. is Executive Director of the Department of Online Teaching and Learning (DoTL) at Grand Canyon University. His research focuses on online learning, student engagement, and instructional technology. He explores ways to use technologies to foster student engagement and increase teaching effectiveness. In addition, he is currently exploring ways to use artificial intelligence to support teaching and learning. Rick is an active researcher and presenter in online education. He is also the editor of Journal of Instructional Research.

Email: [email protected]

Jean Mandernach

B. Jean Mandernach, Ph.D. is Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Research on Teaching at Grand Canyon University. Her research focuses on enhancing student learning experiences in the online classroom through innovative instructional and assessment strategies. She explores the impact of technology on teaching and learning, the role of AI in teaching and learning, pedagogical innovation in virtual education, and strategies for integrating efficient online instruction in a manner that maximizes student learning, satisfaction, and engagement. In addition, she has interests in the development of effective faculty evaluation models, teaching and learning analytics, emergent instructional technology, and faculty workload considerations. Jean is an active presenter and consultant in the field of online education and serves on various editorial boards including the Journal of Educators Online, eLearn Magazine, InSight: A Journal of Scholarly Teaching, and Journal of Instructional Research. In addition to authoring numerous journal articles and chapters, Jean served as co-editor on the book, Handbook of Research on Inclusive Development for Remote Adjunct Faculty in Higher Education, and co-authored the book, Evaluating Online Teaching: Implementing Best Practices.

Thomas Dyer, PhD

Thomas D. Dyer, Ph.D. is a professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Grand Canyon University. He has more than 16 years of experience in higher education and online education. His research focuses on examining student engagement, participation, and community connection in the online classroom through social presence strategies. He explores strategies for integrating community cohesion, online proximity, and social presence literacy through careful and considerate technology integration. Dyer is an active teacher, advocate, researcher, author, and presenter in the field of online education and social presence literacy.

Ashley Betkouski

Ashley Betkowski received her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northcentral University. Her doctoral and master’s work focused on serving English Language Learners in the K-12 environment. Ashley holds a Master’s degree in Leadership and Teaching English as a Second Language, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and Associate’s degree of Arts in General Studies and an Associate’s degree of Arts with emphasis in Elementary Education, and will hold a master’s degree in Character Education in 2024.

Ashley is the Assistant Director for the Canyon Center for Character Education at Grand Canyon University. In this role, she is serving leaders, educators and students in cultivating a flourishing society through virtue formation and development of practical wisdom. Ashley was a primary education teacher for over seven years, teaching grades K-6. She is also an instructor for higher education in the field of education, supporting students in a variety of education courses. Her passion is education and making a difference in the lives of students.

Justina Kwapy

Hello! I have been an online adjunct instructor for GCU in the College of Education since 2004. I began teaching full-time online in the College of Doctoral Studies in 2018. My passion is supporting students of all ages and levels succeed and reach their dreams!

I am very interested in current research about supporting students with learning disabilities in higher education and regularly present at National Conferences on strategies for increasing student engagement and achievement in online learning. I recently published chapters in the following textbooks: “Building Online Communities in Higher Education Institutions” and “Enriching Collaboration and Communication in Online Learning Communities.”

 In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my grown children, am an avid reader, and am quite involved in my local parish and St. Francis Fraternity. I love to travel to Europe and anywhere there is a beach.

Teaching at GCU has been my most rewarding working experience. I believe solely in the importance of implementing Christian worldview values into the online classroom. This opportunity helped me realize what I can offer students, and how much I can learn from them.

“The only thing ever achieved in life without effort is failure.” ― St. Francis of Assisi

Dr. Sarah Robertson

Sarah Robertson, Ph.D. is an associate professor for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Grand Canyon University (GCU). Robertson has been teaching first-year series and education students at GCU since 2011. Sarah is involved with service to the university through her time as PHI 105 content lead, within committees, and more. Robertson’s research focuses on student learning, instructor impact, student life, matrecense, and the interplay of psychology and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Randall Hoggard

Dr. Randall Hoggard holds a Doctorate in Education Administration with over 17 years of experience working in schools from 6th grade through college. During his involvement in various school environments, he has always focused on educational opportunities for all children by addressing normal barriers to success.  His experience covers various school formats – online, 1-to-1 instruction, classroom-based, hybrid, and other alternative methods. He focuses on beginning college students and ensuring their success in the online environment.

Dr. Remilyn Mueller

Remilyn has been teaching at Grand Canyon University as an online full-time faculty for the past five years. She has a Ph.D. in General Psychology, a Master’s degree in Communications, and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Her interest and motivation to embrace AI technologies stem from her motto, “Work ahead, not behind,” and “Be proactive, not reactive.”  Artificial intelligence, especially in the context of education, will be part of her research endeavors in the future.

Tina Salata

Tina has a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor’s degree in General Resource Management emphasizing in environmental education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. I have presented at the North American Association for Environmental Education and the National Association of Interpretation.

In the past, she has taught at a variety of colleges and universities and even school age kids including one year as a 7th-grade science teacher and 2 years as an elementary art teacher as a para instructor. Salata also had the opportunity to teach non-formally at camps and for the National Forest Service. Tina has been teaching at GCU for over 10 years. FYI: Did you know pronghorn antelope are the second fastest running animal on the planet (outrun only by the cheetah) and can run at those speeds for an extended period of time? Go Lopes!