Meet Michele

With over 29 years of dedicated experience in higher education academic affairs, my career has spanned teaching, research, administration, and faculty development focused on technology, pedagogy, and online learning. I'm deeply committed to data-informed decision-making and supporting institutional improvement. As Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), I lead efforts in institutional research, effectiveness, and support strategic planning activities. I also oversee our institutional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. 

Before joining the Provost's Leadership Team, I directed the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service, partnering with deans, faculty, and staff to enhance online learning and shape strategic initiatives and policies. I'm honored to be recognized as an Online Learning Consortium Fellow. My research centers on online pedagogy, best practices, emerging technologies, and academic integrity, with publications in the British Journal of Educational Technology, Online Learning Journal, Journal of Information Technology, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, Electronic Markets, and International Journal of Management Theory and Practices. I have co-authored two book chapters and delivered more than sixty presentations at international, national, and regional conferences. 

Beyond UIS, I serve on the Finance Committee for UPCEA and previously served as the Vice Chair for the Online Administration Network and on the Central Region Conference Planning Committee. I also served six years as the Treasurer of the Illinois Council on Continuing Higher Education and received ICCHE's Past-Presidents' Award for Service. 

I earned an Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University-Bloomington, an M.B.A. from Eastern Illinois University, and a B.S. in Finance from Illinois State University. I also completed all the doctoral coursework required for a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Information Systems Concentration) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). My teaching experience includes roles in Management Information Systems at UIS, Business Administration at UIUC, and as a Computer Training Specialist in the Center for Business & Industry at Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my college-aged sons and traveling. I've visited all 50 U.S. states and am now on a quest to explore all 63 US National Parks.