UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Smeal College of Business has named Matthew E. Mooney director of the college’s new eLearning Design and Innovation Group (eLDIG).
The administrative unit was launched during the fall 2014 semester and is dedicated to instructional design for online and resident instruction.
Mooney comes to Smeal from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, where he was assistant professor of Web and interactive media. He had previously taught or was a member of technology teams at Indiana University South Bend, the University of Arizona and Purdue University.
“I’m honored and excited to join the college and work with the eLDIG. They are talented, creative designers, and they've set a high bar in the eLearning world,” Mooney said. “The goal now is to continue to develop high quality programs, establish new programs, and continue to be a national and international leader in business education.”
Mooney said that he plans to take inventory of what eLDIG has and where it’s been and then spend time with all of its stakeholders before charting the path forward.
“The college’s strategic plan for 2014-19 emphasizes working to meet the growing demand for online and hybrid courses, and eLDIG will play an important role in helping us meet that priority,” said Charles H. Whiteman, John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal.
“We needed someone with a blend of teaching, design and leadership skills to help us define our vision. Matthew’s education and professional experience represent an enticing combination of those skills.”
Mooney holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication and a master’s in interpersonal communication, both from Central Michigan University. He earned a doctoral degree, in curriculum and instruction: educational technology, from Purdue University.
“I think eLDIG is at a springboard moment where a number of things will begin to form in the near future,” Mooney said. “That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited to be involved.”