Dr. Watkins is a distinguished leader in higher education, with a profound dedication to online learning. Her extensive career encompasses significant contributions across both private and public sectors of adult education.
Since 2018, Dr. Watkins serves as the Chief Academic Officer at Instructional Connections (IC), a premier provider of instructional support services for online courses and degree programs. In this capacity, she collaborates with partner higher education institutions, conducting impactful research and providing grant administration and oversight. Her current academic endeavors include editing a forthcoming book on academic coaching, further solidifying her expertise in student success strategies within online environments. Additionally, she recently co-authored a textbook chapter on AI and ethics in higher education, published by Routledge and is currently editing a book on academic coaching.
Beyond her administrative role, Dr. Watkins is an active educator, teaching graduate students in the Educational Technology Program at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.
Dr. Watkins’ leadership was instrumental in the establishment of online learning initiatives at other institutions. She previously held the position of Director of Online Learning for the newly formed University of Arkansas System, eVersity (now UA Grantham). In this role, she built and led the initial team of instructional designers responsible for developing innovative online courses and programs, notably leveraging Open Educational Resources (OER).
Earlier in her career, as Manager of Academic Partnerships at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), she oversaw the logistical and implementation aspects of accelerated distance education programs in collaboration with contracted vendors at the Center for Distance Education. Her foundational experience at UTA also includes roles as Manager of Instructional Design and an initial career as an instructional designer and trainer.
Dr. Watkins is a highly engaged member of the distance learning community. She is a past board president (2022-2023) and current editor for the Texas Digital Learning Association (TxDLA) Journal. Furthermore, she currently serves as a board member for the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).
Her commitment to education extends internationally through her role as Educational Specialist for Blue Door Christian Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. Previously, Dr. Watkins also served as president of the International Leadership Council and as a board member for the Golden Key International Honour Society.
With an Ed.D in Distance Education from Regent University, Dr. Watkins combines her scholarly background with a passion for fostering educational opportunities. She actively volunteers with various educational and philanthropic organizations, sharing her leadership and mentoring expertise to advance online education. Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Watkins enjoys traveling and cherishing moments with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her dedication to online learning is matched only by her fondness for lattes.
Dr. Harriet E. Watkins 