About

Shelley Kurland's professional drive is centered on fostering individual growth. This core passion has been the foundation of her diverse 25+ year career spanning roles as an athletic trainer, special education teacher, professional development specialist, instructional designer, administrator, consultant, and coach. Her guiding question in all her work is: "Is this the best for the individual?"

Shelley has been an educational consultant for approximately 10 years, working with higher education institutions, private education companies, and K-12 schools. She has held significant leadership positions such as the inaugural Dean of Virtual Campus and the first co-chair of the Innovation Committee at the County College of Morris, and Chair of the New Jersey Community Colleges' Distance Education Affinity Group. An educator since 1999, Shelley has specialized in distance education since 2003. Her areas of expertise and research include leadership, online learning, active learning, faculty development, and the thoughtful integration of technology in teaching.

Shelley holds a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from Rutgers University, a Master's in Teaching with a Special Education focus, and a Doctorate in Teacher Education/Teacher Development, both from Montclair State University. She is a Level 2 certified Leadership Coach for Organizational Performance (LCOP) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Shelley is also the co-editor of "From Grassroots to the Highly Orchestrated: Online Leaders Share their Stories of the Evolving Online Landscape in Higher Education."

Robert Kurland is a seasoned educator with over 25 years of leadership experience within higher education, with expertise in academic and student affairs, student engagement and intervention, enrollment management, retention and attrition, classroom instruction, and research.  Robert has worked in higher education at various institutions across the state of New Jersey in administrative and faculty roles, including Senior Associate Dean, Director, and Assistant Professor.

Robert's personal and professional educational philosophy rests upon his belief that his responsibility as an educational leader is to provide high-quality academic programs, services, and courses that enhance students’ intellectual, ethical, and social development to better prepare them to become successful leaders within a diverse society.  Robert's research has focused on psychological factors that affect student success, and he has published his research in various journals, including the Journal of Social Sciences, Psychology, and NACADA Journal.  Robert has earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University, a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and Organizational Psychology from Kean University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications from Rutgers College.