Online Education Excellence
September 10, 2015
UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications
UT Tyler Professor Recognized for Online Education Efforts
September 10, 2015
Media Contact: Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)
September 10, 2015
The University of Texas at Tyler has once again been recognized for its creative uses and support of distance learning technology in the classroom, Dr. Amir Mirmiran, provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced.
Dr. Belinda Deal received an “Outstanding Distance Learning Faculty” Award at the 2015 Northeast Texas Consortium of Colleges and Universities Distance Learning Conference. She is an associate professor within the School of Nursing.
Among her work, Deal has led the way in UT Tyler’s efforts to develop a fully online ‘RN to BSN’ degree completion program, making continuing education more accessible to health care professionals in the region.
“Belinda is one of the strongest advocates for and best examples of quality teaching at UT Tyler,” said Cindy Smith, director of academic transformation. “The innovations in her own courses, her dedication to continuous development and improvement as well as her spirit of sharing and collaboration with colleagues across the university – all with the end goal of improving student learning – make Belinda the ideal candidate for this award.”
Each higher education institution in the consortium nominated faculty and support personnel to be recognized at the conference as outstanding leaders in distance education. Deal is the ninth UT Tyler faculty member to receive this honor.
“My philosophy of teaching is a lot like my philosophy of nursing,” Deal said. “The actual job carries a lot of responsibility, but there are many rewards. Everyone has something to learn, and everyone has something to teach. Learning should be fun. Teaching allows you to touch influence the future through your students. What could be better than that?”
Serving UT Tyler since 2002, Deal holds a master of science in nursing from UT Health Science Center at Houston and a Ph.D. in nursing from Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests include nursing education, self-directed learning and nursing student retention.
The consortium, comprised of 15 colleges and universities, represents 50 counties. For more information about the Northeast Texas Consortium of Colleges and Universities, visit netnet.org/.
The UT Tyler Department of Academic Transformation contributes to the university’s efforts to enhance online education.
One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.