Jacqueline S. Stephen is an accomplished instructional designer and educator with over 20 years of national and international experience in higher education. She holds an Ed.D. in Instruction and Curricular Leadership with a concentration in instructional design and technology from The University of Memphis, as well as an M.S. in Instructional Technology and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor, Director of the Office of Distance Learning, and Instructional Designer at the College of Professional Advancement at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Her research primarily focuses on factors influencing the persistence of undergraduate online students, with an emphasis on self-regulated learning, self-directed learning, online learning self-efficacy, and high-impact practices for online teaching. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, exploring topics such as online learner persistence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, instructional design, effective practices for online educators, and virtual peer mentoring for racial and ethnic minority women in STEM. Notably, her work on virtual peer mentoring received the American Educational Research Association’s 2021 Distinguished Research Paper Award on Mentorship and Mentoring Practices. Her research interests also extend to diversity, equity, inclusion, and career readiness through curriculum and course design. She is an invited speaker at national and international conferences, delivering keynote addresses and serving as a reviewer for international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. She is also the past president of the Association Supporting Computer Users in Education (ASCUE). In 2023, she was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to teach at a university in Azerbaijan and a Fulbright Specialist award to carry out a project at the Office of Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice in Timor-Leste. Her co-edited volume, Global Perspectives on Higher Education: From Crisis to Opportunity (2023), features contributions from 33 international researchers, practitioners, and experts from 20 countries. Her book, Academic Success in Online Programs: A Resource for College Students (2024), comprises 14 chapters that address a broad range of factors influencing student persistence and success in online programs and courses.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8949-5895
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiestephen/

Chantia Daniels is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in the auto insurance industry, including a decade specializing in Auto Claims. With 12 years of leadership experience, she has successfully led teams, optimized operations, and driven strategic initiatives. Additionally, with nine years of expertise in training and development, Chantia is committed to fostering talent growth, employee engagement, and performance improvement. Chantia is a gifted in-person and virtual trainer, designing and facilitating leadership onboarding workshops, diversity training workshops, time management workshops, career development workshops, employee resource group panel discussions, and more.

Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Administration & Talent Development, with an expected graduation in 2025, Chantia combines operational excellence with a passion for people development. With an associate degree in Operations Management, she possesses a strong foundation in streamlining business functions and enhancing workforce effectiveness. Chantia is dedicated to implementing innovative training programs and shaping inclusive workplace cultures, striving to support organizations in achieving operational efficiency and long-term talent success.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chantia-daniels

Charlotte P. Whitehead is a dynamic professional with a proven track record in learning and development, process improvement, and employee talent cultivation. With extensive experience at Emory University and a background in both academic and administrative roles, she excels at designing innovative solutions to close skill and capability gaps while fostering organizational growth.

Currently serving as an Educational Analyst II at Emory University, Charlotte supports the university’s teaching and learning mission through tailored workshops, comprehensive guides, and cutting-edge video and audio training solutions. Her expertise in curriculum administration and evaluation ensures alignment with accreditation standards while enhancing learner engagement and operational efficiency.

Charlotte holds certifications in Training Management and Learning Technologies and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Administration and Talent Development at Mercer University.

Charlotte’s unwavering commitment to innovation, people-centered consulting, and strategic problem-solving continues to shape her as a leader in learning and development.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charwhitehead/