National Institute forMeet the NITLE Staff
NITLE is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, on the campus of Southwestern University. Our staff is distributed across the country, checking in from Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. From developing strategic partnerships that benefit member colleges to conducting research and developing events and programs, our work aims to help liberal arts institutions use technology strategically and collaboratively to advance teaching and learning. We welcome your inquiries and thoughts.
Staff: Joey King | Marcia Hawkins | Michael Nanfito | Eric Harper | Bryan Alexander | Paul Henley | Lisa Spiro | Grace Pang | Rebecca Frost Davis | Fred Moody | Sean Johnson Andrews | Ruben Ruiz | Arden Baxter
Affiliated Fellows: Eric Jansson | Fred Mednick | Thomas A. Warger
W. Joseph (Joey) King, Executive Director
phone: (512) 863-1295 | e-mail: jking@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. King is our executive director as well as vice president for innovation at Southwestern University. He sets the vision and strategic direction for NITLE, working closely with our national advisory board. Previously, Dr. King was executive director of Connexions, a leading open education system with over 2 million unique visitors per month. He holds a Ph.D. in human-computer interaction (University of Washington) and a B.A. with honors in computer science and experimental psychology (Southwestern University).
Marcia Hawkins, Associate Director for Advancement
phone: (817) 296-2812 | e-mail: mhawkins@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. Hawkins helps NITLE develop mutually beneficial relationships with corporations and foundations to support NITLE’s priorities. She also leads special projects to advance NITLE’s mission and effectiveness. Previously, Dr. Hawkins served as president of the Texas Independent College Foundation and as vice president for administration at Texas Wesleyan University. She holds a Ph.D. in history (University of Texas Arlington), an MS. Ed. in analytic teaching (Texas Wesleyan University), and a B.B.A. in finance (University of Texas Arlington).
Michael Nanfito, Associate Director for Strategy
phone: (253) 318-8742 | e-mail: mnanfito@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Mr. Nanfito develops and directs NITLE’s organizational strategy, working in consultation with our executive director, national advisory board, and the NITLE member community. He has a deep background in networked information resources and technology-related entrepreneurial activity, ranging from the development of very large data-driven web environments to consulting for small academic libraries. A 2002 Frye Fellow, he previously served as director of instructional technology at the University of Puget Sound, and holds an MLIS and a B.A. with honors in history (San Jose State University).
Eric Harper, Associate Director for Finance
phone: (847) 859-9029 | e-mail: eharper@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Mr. Harper directs NITLE’s business operations, focusing on increasing organizational efficiency while maintaining alignment with mission. He also leads NITLE’s consulting practice. His interests lie in the intersection of higher education, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. His current research and writing focuses on the impact and potential of innovation in educational business models and methods on the liberal arts institution. He holds a B.A. in economics and a B.S. in business administration (Truman State University), and is currently pursuing an MS.Ed. in higher education policy at Northwestern University.
Bryan Alexander, Senior Fellow
phone: (802) 388-7850 | e-mail: balexander@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. Alexander researches, writes, and speaks about emerging trends in the integration of inquiry, pedagogy, and technology and their potential application to liberal arts contexts. His current research interests include emerging pedagogical forms enabled by mobile technologies, learning processes and outcomes associated with immersive environments (as in gaming and augmented reality), the digital humanities, and futuristic methodologies. A 2004 Frye Fellow, he holds a Ph.D. in English (University of Michigan). His book, The New Digital Storytelling: Creating Narratives with New Media, was published in April 2011 by Praeger.
Paul Henley, Membership Director
phone: (512) 417-8480 | e-mail: phenley@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. Henley’s work focuses on increasing membership and activity in the NITLE Network. Previously, he served as the teaching and learning specialist for the Texas affiliate of the National Education Association. While working there, he built membership through programs designed to assist teachers in their classroom. Dr. Henley has taught music at the K-12 level and the university level for 11 years, and his body of research on instrumental practice techniques has earned him national recognition. He holds a B.M. from the University of South Dakota, an M.A. in education from Chadron State College (Nebraska), and a Ph.D. in music education from the Louisiana State University.
Lisa Spiro, Director, NITLE Labs
phone: (832) 341-0380 | e-mail: lspiro@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. Spiro works with the liberal arts community to explore emerging educational technologies and develop collaborative approaches to integrating learning, scholarship and technology. Her research interests include the digital humanities, user studies, open education, the transformation of libraries, and software evaluation. Previously, she directed the Digital Media Center at Rice University’s Fondren Library, where she oversaw the campus’ central multimedia lab, worked with instructors on integrating technology into the curriculum, and contributed to digital library projects. A 2003 Frye Fellow, Dr. Spiro holds a B.A. in English and history (magna cum laude) from Rice University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia.
Grace Pang, Director of Communications
phone: (734) 330-0467 | e-mail: gpang@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Ms. Pang directs NITLE’s public relations efforts, supporting its strategic advancement as a thought leader in the liberal arts college space. She oversees the development of publications and content, handles media relations, and maintains NITLE’s communications with its member network. Previously, she worked in community relations at SOS Community Services, a non-profit social services agency, and in program development at the Great Lakes Colleges Association. She holds an M.A. in English (University of Michigan) and B.A. in English and rhetoric (University of Illinois).
Rebecca Frost Davis, Program Officer for the Humanities
phone: (512) 863-1734 | e-mail: rdavis@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. Davis develops programs and conducts research about the digital humanities, digital scholarship, and the integration of inquiry, pedagogy, and technology for teaching and learning across the humanities. She also writes and consults in these areas, drawing on a deep background in helping faculty and staff at liberal arts colleges explore these areas via a variety of workshops and seminars. She has particular expertise in intercampus teaching and virtual collaboration. She holds a Ph. D. and M.A. in classical studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. (summa cum laude) in classical studies and Russian from Vanderbilt University.
Fred Moody, Program Officer for Libraries and Scholarly Communications
phone: (206) 801-0352 | e-mail: fmoody@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Mr. Moody’s work focuses on libraries and scholarly communications, including writing and conducting research on topics pertinent to liberal arts colleges. Previously, he served as editor-in-chief of Rice University Press, a digital academic publishing experiment operated at Rice University in 2007-10. His experience in the publishing industry spans nearly 35 years and includes editing, book production, writing, reporting, and research. He holds an M.L.I.S. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. in English from Fairhaven College.
Sean Johnson Andrews, Program Officer
phone: (703) 597-6948 | e-mail: sandrews@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Dr. Andrews’ focus at NITLE is on the future of libraries and scholarly communications and the development of NITLE consulting program’s futures and scenario modeling practice area. An ACLS Public Fellow, he is currently on leave from Columbia College Chicago, where he has served as assistant professor of cultural studies in the College’s internationally recognized Cultural Studies program. He has researched and written on the concept of immaterial labor and supporting cultural production in the digital age and a variety of other topics. Dr. Andrews holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and M.A. in Literature with an emphasis in Cultural Studies, both from George Mason University, and a B.A. in Communications from Southwestern University.
Ruben Ruiz, Technologist
phone: (512) 863-1622 | e-mail: rruiz@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Mr. Ruiz researches emerging technologies with potential for application to teaching and learning in liberal arts environments. Recently, his research has focused on agile methods in mobile development, cloud resources, and new media pedagogy, with a specific focus on smartphones. Previously, he worked for a variety of technology companies, including Apple, HP, and AMD, and for Colorado College, where he supported the college’s technology initiatives. He holds a B.A. in biology (University of Colorado).
Arden Baxter, Senior Executive Secretary
phone: (512) 863-1338 | e-mail: abaxter@nitle.org | see full biography | back to staff list
Ms. Baxter supports the work of our executive director, Dr. Joey King, and also serves as office manager for NITLE as a whole. Previously, she has provided support for library projects and services at Southwestern University, provided financial services and investment consultation for the construction industry, and worked for an Austin-based lobbying firm during the Texas Legislative sessions. She has extensive experience in non-profit business operations, and holds both a B.F.A. with high honors (Texas State University-San Marcos) and an M.B.A. (University of St. Thomas).
Eric Jansson, Affiliated Fellow
For the past 15 years, Mr. Jansson’s career has focused developing rich, educational experiences over networks. He has been a researcher, software developer, technology consultant, and builder of organizational relationships, working at educational software start-ups, higher education consortia, and a research institute. As an affiliated fellow, his goal is to transform education by combining leading research on how people learn with new digital technologies in the context of sound policy and business relationships. He currently works as a private-sector advocate for educational technology at federal and state levels.
Fred Mednick, Affiliated Fellow
Fred Mednick founded Teachers Without Borders in 2000 after discovering a huge gap in global teacher professional development and recognizing the power of teachers as key catalysts for social change. Today, TWB has members in 202 countries and has worked in some of the most challenging places of the world, convening teachers from regions in conflict, establishing child-friendly spaces following natural disasters, and creating communities of teachers where none have existed before. Dr. Mednick has led several open source educational resources and tools, with particular focus on connecting global communities of teachers to content, resources, tools, and each other. He has spoken at Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and TED Talks; lectured on Human Rights and Education at the University of Washington; and been a delegate to the Global Creative Leadership Summit for four consecutive years.
Thomas A. Warger, Affiliated Fellow
back to top | see full biography
Thomas A. Warger has held leadership roles in IT management in higher education for more than twenty years and is now a major contributor to NITLE’s consulting practice. Dr. Warger has served as CIO at Bryn Mawr College, IT projects coordinator at Five Colleges, Inc., and interim CIO at five different colleges. Two of those posts including library interim directorship. He has consulted at numerous colleges and universities and been lead author of the Edutech Report newsletter for eight years. His experience includes: IT strategic plans and accreditation self-studies, ERP selection and implementation, IT staff development and re-organization, digital assets management, audio-video services modernization, instructional technology development, budgeting, project management, grant writing, regulatory compliance projects, IT governance committees, web and public relations development, learning management system selection and implementation, and construction and renovation projects for IT and instructional facilities.
NITLE Affiliated Fellows
NITLE recognizes individuals whose work and thinking promotes the effective integration of inquiry, pedagogy, and technology. Our affiliated fellows contribute in a variety of ways to current debate about the most appropriate, strategic solutions that will benefit students. In recognizing their work and the potential of their work, NITLE seeks to provide a platform that helps them share their insights broadly with the liberal arts community.
Recent Publications & Presentations
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With the new academic year now well under way, I want to take a moment to update you on recent activity at NITLE. Our organization, I’m pleased to report, continues on a positive trajectory. Let me draw your attention to some specific developments that are advancing our mission to help liberal arts colleges integrate inquiry, pedagogy, and technology. Read Dr. King’s full letter. -
On September 9th, Lee Cuba, former dean of Wellesley College, Katie Conboy, vice president for academic affairs at Stonehill College, and Bryan Alexander, senior fellow at NITLE, delivered a trio of talks at a Trinity University symposium on the changing landscape of liberal arts education. The symposium was sponsored by Trinity Tomorrow, the university’s strategic planning committee. -
NITLE and the Texas A&M Initiative for Digital Humanities, Media, and Culture are co-sponsoring a pre-convention workshop on the digital humanities at the MLA convention. Language and literature scholars who wish to learn about, start, or join digital scholarly projects may apply. See also our white paper about the development of the digital humanities at liberal arts colleges. (photo credit: Quinn Dombrowski via Flickr) -
Lisa Spiro, Director of NITLE Labs, joins Jeff McClurken, Amanda French, Mills Kelly, and Tom Scheinfeldt on the latest episode of Digital Campus. Under discussion: the arrest of Aaron Swartz for hacking MIT’s network and its implications for open access; the closing of Borders; and the future of federal funding for the humanities. -
Bryan Alexander, senior fellow at NITLE, recently presented the keynote address at the 4th Annual International Symposium on Emerging Technologies for Online Learning, jointly sponsored by The Sloan Consortium and Merlot. Slides for his talk, “Imagining the Future of Education: Scenarios for Learning After Technology,” are available online. -
W. Joseph (Joey) King, NITLE executive director, recently delivered this invited lecture, “Academic Press on $500 per Day: The Business of e-Publishing” (.pdf), at the 2011 Kanazawa Institute of Technology (KIT) / Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) International Roundtable for Library and Information Science.