Presenter Bios

Rene Herron, Ph.D. Dr. Rita “Rene” I. Herron is currently the Interim Dean for the Department of Online Instruction with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) - Worldwide, where she oversees the credentialing, scheduling, contracting, payroll, and quality management of all undergraduate and graduate academic courses offered online. In addition to her administrative duties, she is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Arts and Sciences and Course Developer for one of the award winning Faculty Development courses, FACD700 - Basic Blackboard - with ERAU - Worldwide. Both of these appointments allow Dr. Herron to share her love for learning by teaching students and faculty through academic and development courses. Additionally, Dr. Herron is active with Blackboard as a member of ERAU’s oversight committee and a beta-tester for various Blackboard upgrades. Dr. Herron has a Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Education from The Florida State University and a Master’s degree from the University of North Florida in Public Administration.

Contact Info: Rita "Rene" I. Herron, Ph.D., Interim Dean, Department of Online Instruction / Assistant Professor, Department of Arts & Sciences Worldwide Campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900 Email: herronr1@erau.edu / Telephone: 386.226.7008

Cinda Holsombach-Ebner

Cinda Holsombach-Ebner is a professional educator working primarily in the areas of distance learning and educational technology. She is currently serving as a production coordinator and instructional designer for online course development at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. Previously, Cinda has taught and/or coordinator instructional technology efforts in public and private, K-12 and post-secondary, and domestic and international institutions in the United States and Europe. Areas of additional professional interest include: international education, secondary social studies, TESOL, administration, strategic planning, project management, curriculum development, organizational psychology, research and evaluation, compliance/accreditation, event planning and management, marketing, public relations, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Cinda has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of South Florida and a Master’s degree in Education from New Mexico State University with a specialization in Educational Technology.

Contact Info:

Cinda Holsombach-Ebner, Production Coordinator II, Instructional Design and Development

Worldwide Campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900

Email: holsombc@erau.edu / Telephone: 904-377-8107 / Portfolio: http://sites.google.com/site/cindaleigh/ / Blog: http://cindaleigh.blogspot.com/

Alice Kay Shomate

Alice Kay Shomate is the Online Faculty Quality Manager for the Arts & Sciences discipline within the Department of Online Instruction at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. Quality management of courses, students, and Instructors includes: interviewing potential instructors, coaching to the expectations and obligations of teaching online at ERAU, providing clarity of administrative policies and procedures, student query and plagiarism violations, and conflict resolution. In addition to her quality assurance duties, she is certified to teach three of the award winning Faculty Development 700 series courses and is the Course Monitor for FACD 701 - Teaching at ERAU Worldwide. Areas of professional interest include: following technology and learning blogs, Edison’s Notebook/Innovation and other newsletters, social media and learning with technology webinars. Kay has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Warner Southern and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Phoenix with a specialization in Adult Education/Distance Learning.

Contact Info: Alice "Kay" Shomate, MAED, Online Faculty Quality Manager II, Department of Online Instruction / Adjunct Instructor - Dept. Arts & Sciences / Adjunct Instructor - FACD/CTLE Worldwide Campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900 Email: shomatea@erau.edu / Telephone: 386.226.6946

Kim Szathmary

Kim has been an instructor with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for six years, and is currently the Online Faculty Quality Manager for all aeronautics courses at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide. Kim retired from the United States Air Force in 2005, following a 21-year flying career during which she flew a number of aircraft including the T-37, T-38, KC-135R, C-141B, and C-17A. Kim retired as a C-17 Instructor Pilot and senior Supervisor of Flying, which entailed direct control of up to 40 heavy aircraft in missions including airdrop, air refueling, low level maneuvering, instrument and visual flight, and assault landings. Kim has taught graduate Aeronautical Science classes both in the classroom and online. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration/International Business with Northcentral University, with expected completion in 2011/2012.

Contact Info: Kimberly Szathmary, PhD (ABD), Online Faculty Quality Manager, Department of Online Instruction / Adjunct Assistant Professor Worldwide Campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900 Email: kimberly.szathmary@erau.edu / Telephone: 386.226.4993