VCU news

Dear Colleagues:

After a rigorous national search, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Monica J. Orozco, Ph.D. as executive director of the Online@VCU, effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Orozco currently serves as the vice provost of extended learning at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Orozco has more than 16 years of experience in leading and implementing web-based teaching and learning initiatives in institutions of higher education across the country. Prior to her current position, she served as assistant provost for eLearning at Florida Atlantic University, director of distance learning at Auburn University and assistant vice president of instruction at Cape Fear Community College. Her successful collaboration with administrators, faculty and external technology providers will serve her well in leading the development of a strategic vision for furthering online and hybrid learning programs across Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Orozco holds a B.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts from the College of Charleston and a M.Ed. and a Ph.D. in Instruction and Curriculum, Educational Technology and Instructional Design from the College of Education at the University of Florida.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the search committee members who served diligently in the screening process. This service required significant time and investment, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the members who gave of their time and talent in such a meaningful way. My gratitude is also extended to the chair of the search committee, Mr. Ed Grier, interim vice president of development and alumni relations, for his valuable leadership and dedication in this process.

I also want to offer a special thanks to Dr. Michael Huffman, director for the Office of Continuing and Professional Education, for his dedicated and able service as interim executive director of Online@VCU and VCU ALT Lab over the last year. I am pleased that he will work closely with Dr. Orozco to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Orozco on her new appointment and in thanking Dr. Huffman for his service and support.

Best regards,
Gail Hackett, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs