Distance Learning
President Elect

Ayesha Sadaf

I am Ayesha Sadaf, Assistant Professor of the Instructional Systems Technology at University of North Carolina Charlotte. I earned my Doctorate in Learning Design and Technology and Master's in Computer Graphics Technology from Purdue University. My research focusses on instructional strategies that promote higher-level learning, cognitive presence, critical thinking, and interaction in online learning environments. I was the recipient of 2013 Distance Education Best Journal Article Award and 2015 Distance Education Best Practice Award from the Division of Distance Learning (DDL). In addition, my research on cognitive presence in online case-based discussions received 2016 Effective Practice Award at the Online Learning Consortium International Conference.

Since joining AECT in 2007 as a graduate student, I have been actively involved with the association. Serving as the President of the Graduate Student Assembly (2011-2013), I co-planned GSA convention program and co-organized several GSA webinars in collaboration with different AECT divisions. In addition, I served as the member of the presidential leadership nominating committee to select the AECT presidential candidates for 2013 and 2015. I have the honor of being selected as an ECT Strohbehn Intern, AECT NSF career symposium participant, recipient of the ECT Mentor Endowment Scholarship, and presidential service award.

For the past four years, I have served the DDL in different capacities. I have completed my three years term (2014–2017) as the DDL communications officer where I supported division’s interactions and information exchange among its membership. I have also been involved in rewriting division policies and procedures related to the roles of DDL officers. This past year, I served as the coordinator of the DDL Crystal Award (2018-2019), managing award submissions and working with the award reviewers to select the award winners. My involvement with the division provided me with the insight into our division’s needs and has inspired me to further serve in a leadership role with the division.

I benefited from the mentoring and leadership afforded by AECT and the DDL in my own career development. As the DDL President-Elect, I want to ensure that our members experience those same benefits.  Building on preceding division’s leadership, I would dedicate myself to advancing the DDL’s mission for excellence in scholarship, hearing members’ voices to address their needs, and collaborating with the DDL colleagues to advance our division’s goals and AECT’s mission. It would be an honor for me to serve as the DDL President-Elect!


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