Jenny Jopling Bio

Jenny Jopling is Director of the Office of Extended Education at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. She has over twenty years of experience in higher education and began her distance learning career as a designer and producer of computer-based instruction. She entered the field with a solid technical background in data communications, preceded by administrative, academic, and network computing.

While working in higher education, Jenny completed her MS in Instructional Systems Technology in 1990. Following, she worked closely with specification, evaluation, and training for face-to-face class room technologies, segueing into research and integration of videoconference technology at the University of North Texas (UNT). Her career took a natural turn into the area of distance learning as designer and producer for online courses that were administered via CD ROMs, LANs, and eventually the Internet. Next she led a significantonline learning initiative and established UNT's Center for Distributed Learning, which involved setting up university policies and procedures, technical infrastructure, and direction of her staff who provided design, production, training, marketing, and support for online courses. While there she wrote and was awarded a grant to establish computer-based testing facilities to accommodate proctored testing for online learners at twenty-four public universities throughout the state.

Jenny moved to the University of Texas at Arlington in 2004, where she directed and continued to support the growth of 100% online and blended learning for multiple platforms. She worked closely with campus administration, policy and procedure, research, and the exploration and integration of new, emerging technologies.

In 2011, Jenny took a position that would focus more on distance learning for academic disciplines, specifically, international affairs, homeland security, and nonprofit management at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. She continues the drive to expand online learning opportunities in an environment supported by a team of professionals who design, produce, and support online courses, along with additional responsibilities to screen and hire online faculty, market programs, and recruit students for a cost recovery unit.

Membership with the Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) began in 1996 and Jenny has served the organization as President and a Board Member. She has chaired committees, including the Executive Committee, TxDLA Management Search, Texas Distance Learning Hall of Fame, Don Foshee Memorial Scholarship, Conference Exhibits, Conference Procedures, Conference Site Selection, and Conference Website. She has also served as a member of numerous standing and ad hoc committees. TxDLA has recognized her dedication to the organization through an award for Outstanding Commitment to Service and the Don Foshee Outstanding Leadership award.

Jenny became active with the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) in 2000 and is a current Board member (2^nd term) and Vice President for Membership. While serving as TxDLA President, she gave monthly chapter reports to USDLA as a member of the State Chapter Presidents committee. Two of her former institution’s online courses have received USDLA awards. Other USDLA activities have included the International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE) Conference Planning Committee, IFWE Sponsorship Chair, and IFWE Hospitality Co-chair. She was also a member of the USDLA Public Policy Forum Committee, has participated in Global Affiliate Chapter events, moderated an NDLW webinar, presented membership benefits to the State Chapter Presidents Committee, and chaired Hospitality for the 2008 USDLA conference. She served as a representative to USDLA’s partner organization, EDEN, at their 2011 conference in Dublin, Ireland and coordinated partnership visibility on USDLA’s website.  As Membership Chair, Jenny led the “New Member Mentoring” initiative in 2011 and “Join USDLA” business card project for 2012. She composes individual USDLA welcome letters to all new members, encouraging them to be active through upcoming event participation and social networking opportunities.

Other professional organizations that Jenny is active with include the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications, International Association of Business Communications, CORE4Women, and American Association of University Women. Numerous presentations and workshops have been given at professional conferences and to individual organizations, along with faculty training, organizationalconsults, and contract work.