These prestigious international awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance-learning programs. Included in the recognition ceremony were awards for 21st Century Best Practices, Best Practices for Distance Learning Programming, Best Practices for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Outstanding Leadership by an Individual, and Hall of Fame.

The USDLA International Awards are closely followed by the distance-learning community. "As a premier organization for the entire distance-learning profession, USDLA enjoys honoring leaders within the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of USDLA and Program Professor at Nova Southeastern University. "Each year these recognized leaders raise the bar and exceed best-practice expectations for the industry as a whole. We are truly honored by their contributions within all distance learning constituencies."

The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance-learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite, and blended-learning delivery technologies.

"This year's USDLA Awards recipients represent the finest examples of online courses, best practices, and leadership in our field.  The depth and breadth of the USDLA membership allows us to engage with leaders from higher education, K-12, industry, military, and government who daily demonstrate the power of distance learning.  We are so very proud and excited to be able to recognize this level of excellence," said Elaine Shuck, President of USDLA.

For the 2015 International Awards program, USDLA focused upon several major areas that exemplify the dynamic nature of distance learning. Please join us in honoring the following 2015 USDLA Award Winners, which include the following:

BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMING

PLATINUM

Boston University Metropolitan College

Department of Computer Science

MET CS 546 Quantitative Methods for Information Systems

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

GOLD

Excelsior College

OWL Team: Crystal Sands, Michelle Abeyta, and Darren Walsh

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

SILVER

Connections Education LLC

Professional Learning Model

Online Technology ~ K-12 Education

BRONZE

K12

AP Exam Prep Apps

Online Technology ~ K-12 Education
 

BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DISTANCE LEARNING TEACHING

PLATINUM

Oiada International

Videoconferencing ~ K-12 Education

GOLD

Carrie A. Jones, FACS Teacher, Mountain Heights Academy

Online Technology ~ K-12 Education

SILVER

Professor Ruth Barrow, Instructor &

Alexandre Strzyzewski, Senior Instructional Designer

Miami Dade College, Virtual College

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

BRONZE

Dr. Szu-Yen (Neal) Liang, University of Texas at Arlington

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP BY AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE FIELD OF DISTANCE LEARNING

Dr. Jan Jones-Schenk, Western Governors University

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Darren Walsh, Excelsior College

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Dr. Patricia Hoge, Connections Education LLC

Online Technology ~ K-12 Education

21ST CENTURY AWARDS FOR BEST PRACTICES IN DISTANCE LEARNING

Western Governors University

Online Technology~ Higher Education

University of Central Florida, Center for Distributed Learning

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Steven Institute of Technology, WebCampus

Online Technology ~ Higher Education

USDLA 2015 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Dr. Badrul Huda Khan

McWeadon Education

Dr. Pamela Quinn

LeCroy Center at Dallas County Community College

Ms. Jenny Jopling, Chair of USDLA Board of Directors noted, "This year's award winners represent many of the most innovative leaders in the field of distance learning." She continued, "I also look forward to seeing these leaders again during National Distance Learning Week, 09-13 November 2015."