Dvorak joins Saint Martin’s University as associate dean for extended learning

March 14, 2012

LACEY, WASHINGTON — Saint Martin’s University welcomes Radana Dvorak, Ph.D., as the new associate dean for extended learning.

Dvorak comes to Saint Martin’s from Portland State University, where she was an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education while also working as the owner of eLT Solutions, LLC. Her work focused on helping organizations develop courses using learning content management systems and integrating Web 2.0 technology to meet the evolving needs of educators, trainers and students.

In her new role, Dvorak will oversee an office charged with providing the general oversight and strategic planning for the improvement, growth and development of SMU’s online and off-campus learning opportunities. Dvorak will also supervise the coordination of resources to support distance education.

“Dr. Dvorak has many years’ experience working in the field of distance and online learning as a manager, computer scientist, and educator,” says Joseph Bessie, Ph.D., the University’s provost and vice-president for academic affairs. “Additionally, she has written a popular handbook on the use of Moodle. Dr. Dvorak’s skills and experience will enhance Saint Martin’s distance learning immensely.”

Dvorak received her doctoral degree in computer science from the University of London, and her Master of Science degree in artificial intelligence from the University of Sussex. Her undergraduate degree is from the honors program at the University of Michigan. As an associate dean, Dvorak will sit on the University’s Provost’s Council.

The new associate dean is a member of ASTD, the Software Association of Oregon, the TechStart program and a judge at the annual Oregon Games Programming Championships. Dvorak also sits on the board of a non-profit educational institute. She is currently working on a new book, SMART Board for Dummies.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university located on a 380-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its extension campuses located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Everett College, Centralia College and Tacoma Community College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at www.stmartin.edu.

For additional information:

Joseph Bessie, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4310; jbessie@stmartin.edu

Sarah Holdener
Director of Community Relations and Event Management
Office of Marketing and Communications
Saint Martin’s University
360-412-6140; sholdener@stmartin.edu