What’s the difference between a typical online experience and the Oregon State University Ecampus experience? In short, our world-class faculty and staff. Experts in their fields, innovators in online learning and committed to student success, Ecampus partners set the bar for online learning.
And, each year we recognize a few of our more than 1,000 Oregon State faculty and staff members who teach online or work with Ecampus students through the Oregon State Ecampus Awards. These awards recognize outstanding partners who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the student experience for online learners worldwide.
This year, we honor nine Oregon State community members who demonstrate a commitment to quality, excellence and always putting students first.
Ecampus Innovation Award
Tim Alcon, College of Engineering
Tim Alcon, College of Engineering
The Ecampus Innovation Award recognizes innovations in online courses in the fields of design, pedagogy and/or media development.
The 2021 Ecampus Innovation Award goes to Tim Alcon in the College of Engineering.
Tim redeveloped CS 161 and 162, the introductory programming sequence for the postbaccalaureate computer science program. This comprehensive redevelopment included creating custom course content, implementing active learning principles and leveraging the latest in learning technology tools like Repl.it, giving students a chance to practice coding through low-stakes activities. The results? Significant improvement in students’ progression through the computer science program.
Ecampus Appreciation Award
The Ecampus Appreciation Award recognizes outstanding campus partners who have worked with Ecampus to make a substantial, positive impact on our programs and students. This year, we have two Ecampus Appreciation awards to present.
Kathy Becker-Blease, Nicole Wolfe and Kristen Yax, College of Liberal Arts
Program Development
Kathy Becker-Blease, College of Liberal Arts
Nicole Wolfe, College of Liberal Arts
Kristen Yax, College of Liberal Arts
For program and course development, the award goes to Kathy Becker-Blease, Nicole Wolfe and Kristen Yax in the College of Liberal Arts, for their role in launching a full-scale program redevelopment of 37 psychology courses and piloting the use of the new Ecampus Online Teaching Principles.
Jana King and Josie Miranda, College of Business
Student Success
Jana King, College of Business
Josie Miranda, College of Business
For student success, the award goes to Jana King and Josie Miranda, both Ecampus academic advisors in the College of Business. Jana and Josie earned this award for their unwavering commitment to establishing strong relationships with online business students, for the additional attention they devote to newly admitted students, and for their close partnership with the Ecampus student services team.
Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Award
This award recognizes three faculty members who exemplify excellence in online teaching and student engagement. Ecampus instructors are nominated by current online students. This year, more than 300 students nominated nearly 170 instructors for this award.
The 2021 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Award goes to David Stemper, Jeremy Rose and Renee Albertson.
David Stemper, College of Forestry
David Stemper, College of Forestry
David Stemper was nominated for his charismatic and enthusiastic teaching style and commitment to student success at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Students remarked that his great sense of humor and entertaining stories about the discipline allowed them to form a real connection with him, even at a distance.
One student said, “Dr. Stemper is a natural teacher and leaves his students with ambition, creativity and excitement for the future.”
Jeremy Rose, College of Science
Jeremy Rose, College of Science
Jeremy Rose was nominated for all that he does to meet students where they are.
Students remarked that Jeremy provides personalized support, including thorough feedback and flexibility to meet their needs. Through timely and detail-oriented communication, students noted that they were able to further their learning in a meaningful way.
One nomination said, “Dr. Rose inspired me to be my best, gave me solid critiques about how I could improve and backed that up with information. I am a better student and person because of him.”
Renee Albertson, College of Agricultural Sciences
Renee Albertson, College of Agricultural Sciences
Renee Albertson was nominated for her unwavering commitment to student success.
Students noted that Renee provides excellent feedback and constructive comments that come from a place that demonstrates her genuine care for students, motivating them to improve. And, she is known as someone who students can rely on to discuss both the courses she teaches and also students’ future plans and goals.
Says one student, “She always takes extra care to make sure every student feels like their learning experience is important, and she consistently bolsters students’ spirits by relating to us and making it known we were doing well.”
Congratulations to these Quality Matters honorees
We also would like to recognize Oregon State faculty members whose Ecampus courses were recently certified or recertified by the Quality Matters organization. QM is the gold standard in online course design, and we’re proud to honor these instructors who went the extra mile to ensure excellence in their online classes:
- Deanna Lloyd, College of Agricultural Sciences (HORT 212)
- Renee Albertson, College of Agricultural Sciences (FW 370)
- Meta Landys, College of Agricultural Sciences (BI 319)
- Dana Sanchez, College of Agricultural Sciences (FW 255)
- Kuuipo Walsh, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (GEOG 560)
- Al Shay, College of Agricultural Sciences (HORT 255)
- Mary Nolan, College of Liberal Arts (ANTH 478)
- Lori McGraw, College of Health (HDFS 461 and HDFS 444)
QM focuses on the design of online and hybrid classes, as opposed to the delivery or content of the courses. More than 60 Ecampus courses have been certified by QM.
