Dr. Thomas Blevins’ Active Summer Schedule
Includes Several Higher Education-Based Initiatives
(Bluefield)— Dr. Tom Blevins, Dean of the Virtual College and Technology and Dean of the School of Education at Bluefield State College, took part in several higher education-related initiatives throughout the summer.
On June 13, he participated in the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Board of Examiners (BoE) Chair Refresher Course using Elluminate Videoconferencing software.
On June 17-19, Blevins served as a Consultant-Evaluator/ Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools focused visit to Tiffin University, Ohio, June 17-19, to approve six new online degree programs which Tiffin will offer in the region. Tiffin University's President is Dr. Paul Marion, who was Chancellor of the State College and University System of West Virginia in the late 1980's.
On July 7-13, Blevins attended the BlackBoard conference in Boston, MA representing the WV Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) in conversations with BlackBoard concerning WV higher education's contract for the Vista Course Management System which is used by ten WV public higher education institutions as the vehicle to deliver online courses.
One week later, Blevins participated in the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Summer Leadership Executive Board meeting delivering a presentation on AECT accreditation committee activities with NCATE. Blevins serves as national chair of AECT's Accreditation Committee and serves as a national folio program reviewer with AECT and NCATE. Blevins also attended NCATE's Specialty Program Area/State Affiliate Retreat in Squaw Valley CA on May 15-18, 2007 representing AECT.
In his role as Director of Instructional Technology Planning and Coordination with the WV Higher Education Policy Commission, Blevins has also chaired the Technology Committee efforts this summer to finalize technology orders and installations for the new Beckley Higher Education Center located in Beaver, WV. The new Center will open on August 20.
Blevins is beginning his 31 st year at Bluefield State this year. A 1971 alumnus of BSC, he served as Interim President of BSC in 2002 and has worked with the HEPC since 1999. He is married to Dr. Betty Rader, Dean of the School of Nursing at BSC, who also served as BSC's Academic Dean and Vice President from 1994-2001.
August 8, 2007
