Jason Rhode, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Digital Education

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An experienced faculty developer, instructor, instructional designer, course developer, and program director with two decades of experience in the field of online learning and  higher education faculty development, Jason Rhode serves as associate vice provost for Teaching, Learning, and Digital Education and works collaboratively with senior leadership and units across the institution that support pedagogical initiatives. He provides direction for the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) and oversees university-wide digital learning. He functions as the chief online learning officer and defines and implements processes to deliver high quality digital learning. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership and vision on faculty development and instructional support activities for faculty, instructors, teaching staff, and graduate teaching assistants for all course modalities.
2. Oversee campus-wide needs assessment on teaching effectiveness, technology integration, online teaching, and professional development for faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants.
3. Define, create, and implement programs to advance faculty development in teaching and to support the use of innovative research-based pedagogical practices in line with NIU’s mission, vision and values
4. Provide leadership to CITL staff on development programs, resources, and services to address those needs.
5. Champion research-based pedagogical practices that promote student success.
6. Monitor current and emerging practices in digital and online learning; advise university leadership on pedagogies, technologies, policies, curriculum, and faculty development needs related to digital and online learning.
7. Collaborate with the Chief Information Officer, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Resources, and advisory committees to address academic technology, facilities, and space needs for classroom, hybrid, and online instruction.
8. Provide strategic leadership and long-range vision for the development and delivery of academic credit-bearing online courses and programs, to champion innovative approaches, ensure use of research-based practices and quality standards, and expand online enrollments.
9. Manage on behalf of Academic Affairs any digital/online education vendor partnerships.
10. Work with appropriate advisory committees, governance, colleges, and units on teaching initiatives, policies, and procedures; make recommendations on policy and procedure as appropriate.
11. Seek external funding to support pedagogical and curricular innovation; participate in national initiatives, affinity groups and conferences to ensure NIU is aware of national trends in pedagogy and digital learning; support the adoption of innovative curricula.
12. Serve on university committees to represent the Executive Vice President and Provost as needed.

Education

• Ph.D., Instructional Design for Online Learning, Capella University, 2008
• M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Seattle Pacific University, 2003
• B.A., Children's Ministries, North Central University, 2000