Karen Swan is the Stukel Professor of Educational Leadership and a Research Associate in the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service at the University of Illinois Springfield. Since receiving her EdD in Communications, Computing and Technology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1989, she has authored over 100 journal articles and book chapters, produced several hypermedia programs, and co-edited two books on educational technology topics. She became interested in online teaching and learning while a faculty member at the University at Albany, and has spent the last fifteen years teaching, developing and researching online education. Dr. Swan was the 2006 winner of the Sloan C’s award for Most Outstanding Achievement in Online Learning by an Individual. She is a Sloan-C Fellow and a member of the Board of Directors.