UT Tyler Once Again Recognized for Online Education Efforts

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has once again been recognized for creative uses and support of distance learning technology in the classroom, Dr. Ross Sherman, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced. Dr. Wesley Hickey received an “Outstanding Distance Learning Faculty” Award at the 2014 Northeast Texas Consortium of Colleges and Universities Distance Learning Conference.

Hickey is a UT Tyler associate professor of educational leadership, and he serves as the College of Education and Psychology interim dean and superintendent program coordinator. He was recognized for his work in the superintendent program, which was one of the first in Texas to offer the full certification entirely in an online format, according to a UTT news release. Officials say Hickey’s classes are noted for their rigor and relevance. His students average a 95 percent pass rate on the state certification exam.

“Dr. Hickey is a worthy recipient of the Outstanding Distance Learning Faculty Award for UT Tyler. Through his efforts, he has increased the accessibility of the superintendent certification for students throughout the state,” said Cindy Smith, director of instructional design in the UT Tyler Department of Academic Transformation. Each higher education institution in the consortium nominated faculty and support personnel to be recognized at the conference as outstanding leaders in distance education. He is the eighth UT Tyler faculty member to receive this honor.