John R. St.Clair, III, an expert in the delivery of online academic offerings, has been named to the newly established position of Director of Distance and Blended Learning at the University of Mary Washington.
St.Clair has extensive experience in higher education, including six years as a leading administrator for the statewide online degree programs in Tennessee as well as nearly two decades as a mathematics professor and instructor.
St.Clair’s July 10 appointment comes as the university prepares to expand its distance education offerings to meet the growing demand for online modes of instruction and to increase student access to academic programs.
In collaboration with UMW faculty and administrators, St.Clair will plan and build a comprehensive distance learning program, intended to complement the traditional classroom offerings at the UMW College of Graduate and Professional Studies in Stafford County.
He will contribute to the design, implementation and assessment of technologies employed in distance learning, and work with professors and staff to develop policies governing distance learning. In this new position, St.Clair will report to Meta R. Braymer, vice president for graduate and professional studies and dean of the faculty at the Stafford campus.
“Dr. St.Clair will play a critical role in our efforts to grow our distance and blended learning program,” Braymer said. “We’re thrilled that the university will benefit from his considerable background in higher education and online instruction.”
Since 2003, St.Clair has helped build the Regents Online Degree Programs, the statewide distance learning initiative involving 19 Tennessee colleges and universities and 26 technology centers. He has substantial experience in instructional design, course management systems, faculty training and support, and integration of technical systems. In addition, St.Clair has taught at university and community college levels.
“Distance education has matured into a viable delivery system for individuals who have challenging work schedules and require flexibility as they plan their academic pursuits,” St.Clair said. “I am looking forward to helping UMW increase access to quality online educational experiences throughout the region and beyond.”
St.Clair earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Middle Tennessee State University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Tennessee State University. He has given numerous conference presentations on information technology, distance education and online learning.