NLII Appoints Hagner as Associate Director

The National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII) has announced the appointment of Paul R. Hagner as associate director, effective April 25, 2005, following a national search.

As the first NLII fellow, Hagner is well acquainted with the organization. Not only does he bring a historical perspective to the NLII, he was also a key player on the strategic planning team that crafted the NLII’s new identity and focus: the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI). A significant part of his role will be to help the NLII transition to the ELI.

Hagner has a strong academic background. A professor of political science, he has been in the classroom for 27 years and considers himself a teacher, first and foremost. His experience spans a range of institutions including a large public rural university (Washington State University), a large urban public university (University of Memphis), an international university (University College–Dublin), and a medium-size private institution (University of Hartford). He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from the University of Michigan, and master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Indiana University.

Hagner’s understanding of different types of institutions as well as serving in several academic and administrative roles will allow him to work well with the NLII membership. He has been a faculty member, department chair, director of undergraduate studies, graduate director, and senior advisor for technology planning and assessment. He has also been involved in several EDUCAUSE programs, including the Frye Institute and the EDUCAUSE Leadership Institute, and served on the 2004 EDUCAUSE Annual Meeting Program Committee.

According to Diana Oblinger, EDUCAUSE vice president and director of the NLII, “The National Learning Infrastructure and EDUCAUSE are fortunate to have a person of Paul Hagner’s experience and dedication to the academic enterprise. His passion for learners, learning, and the future direction of the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative is broad and deep.”

In addition to developing several new products and services for the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, Hagner will be involved with EDUCAUSE teaching and learning activities.

About EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises more than 2,200 colleges, universities, and educational organizations, including 250 corporations, with 17,000 active members. Learn more about EDUCAUSE at www.educause.edu.

About The National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII)

The National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII) is a community that works together to stay on the leading edge of teaching and learning with technology through perspectives on learners, learning principles and practices, and learning technologies. The NLII is designed to be strategic, engaged, and synergistic and is distinctive in that members are actively engaged in the work of the organization. Learn more about NLII at www.educause.edu/nlii/ .