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Blackboard Catalyst Award

Past Winners

Select a category under 2012 or 2011 to view Catalyst Award winners for that year. To see past winners for the Blackboard Collaborate Hall of Fame, go here.

2012 Winners

Exemplary Course Program Winners

Looking for the ECP Winners’ Artifacts? Visit the ECP Wiki site.

Name Institution Exemplary Course Tour
 
Mark Gale and Dr. Wendy Cowan Athens State University ED 305 - Technology and Media in Education
Christine Davis Blendedschools.net Teaching Online with blendedschools.net
Deanna Mayers Blendedschools.net AP Biology A
Deanna Mayers Blendedschools.net Chinese 1 A
Dan Hilman Boston University Database Design and Implementation for Business (MET CS 669)
Dan Barnett Butte College Eastern Religions (Philosophy 18)
Brian Worden Capella University COUN5930-Mental Health Counseling Pre-Practicum Course 1
Joe Lane Capella University HS8204 Public Service Leadership
Danica Hubbard College of DuPage English Composition 1102
Nikki Schutte College of St Scholastica MUS 3309 : World Music
Tess Bader and team Colorado State University - Global Campus ENG130 - Introduction to Literature
Robert Leo CYNRIC/OCM BOCES Model Schools Instructional Technology Lesson Upgrade Program
Robert Leo CYNRIC/OCM BOCES To The Cloud, Summer 2011
Dr. Julia VanderMolen Davenport University HLTH127 Healthy Living
Jan Neal and Dr. Irwin Price Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University DAV 713: The Economic Environment of Aviation
Jan Neal and Dr. Alan Stolzer Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University DAV 712: Aviation Safety Management Systems
Anna Reese Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide ENGL222 - Business Communication
Anna Reese Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide DAV 714 – The Legal Environment of Aviation
Dr. Nancy Rauseo and David Palmer Florida International University Customer Relationship Management, MAR 4860
Melody Whiddon and Elizabeth Ferris Florida International University EDF 5481: Foundations of Educational Research
Cheryl Kautz Grand Rapids Community College CO252 Advanced Photoshop
Glaucio Scremin Jacksonville State University Law and Ethics in Physical Education and Sport Management HPE 540
Paige Brook-Jeffiers KCTCS Online Facilitator Certification Testing
Susan Mircovich Kenai Peninsula College Survey of Chemistry, Chem A103
Chris Duke Lone Star College, Cy-Fair COSC 1401 Introduction to Computers
Lori Ellison and Paula Kaplan Marshall University Death and Grief Counseling COUN 556
Michael Smedshammer Modesto Junior College English 101
Maria S. Rynn and team Northern Virginia Community College ITE 115: Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts
Dr. Torria Bond, Dr. Joshua Knabb, Sherryl Berg-Ridenour, and Lindsay Pollard Online and Professional Studies Division of California Baptist University SOC213
Michael Pregitzer and team Regent University School of Undergraduate Studies GENE 402 The Making of a Christian Leader
Niki Whiteside San Jacinto College ACAdemic Learning
Dominique Elliott, Mooho Oh, Dean Earlix, Scott Dinho Savannah College of Art and Design Motion Media 709: Motion Media Cinematography and Editing
Vaughan Smith Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Project Management 1 (MGMT14998)
Jennifer Campbell Tulsa Community College Medical Terminology - ALDH 1323
Angélica Quiroga Garza Universidad de Monterrey Aplicaciones en Psicologa PS3105
Nita Copeland University of Arkansas at Little Rock HSCI 3402 Structural Kinesiology
Lyndon Godsall University of Miami NUR551: Teaching and Learning Theory in Clinical Nursing Education
Elena Pravosudova and Alina Solovyova-Vincent University of Nevada, Reno Principles of Biological Investigations
Dr. Becky Adams University of New Mexico Theory & Practices of Distance Learning - OLIT 535
Rosemarie Lyons, Holly Shifflet and team University of Pittsburgh - Katz Graduate School of Business Center for Executive Education Management Essentials Online
Geralyn Stephens Wayne State University CTE 6010: History and Principles of Career and Technical Education

Communication Strategies

Name Institution Level Achievement
 
Dionne Curbeam Coppin State University Platinum Migrated from another communications platform and smoothly implemented Blackboard Connect and Blackboard Connect for Learn on campus, yielding in improved communication to students, faculty, and staff, which supports student retention and engagement.
Christina Royal Cuyahoga Community College District Gold Developed a well thought out communications plan for the upgrade to Learn 9.1. They had a seamless transition because of their planning, constant cross-functional communication, spirit of inclusiveness and an effective project plan.
Andrew Whitworth University of Manchester Gold Developed a program to help bring distance students fully into the learning community and to appreciate that in the 21st century university.

Community Collaboration

Name Institution Level Achievement
 
NIU Faculty Development & Instructional Design Center Northern Illinois University Platinum Developed a resource website to support their upgrade to Learn 9.1. The Teaching with Blackboard site averages over 7000 unique visitors each month from around the globe.
Steve Clark Athens State University Gold Launched the ACCS eLearning Symposium, an annual technology event, as a way to provide faculty with the type of professional development normally provided at a national technology conference.
Kim LeBlanc & Lisa Mullett Calcasieu Parish School District Gold Launched BAYOUBUG, a Louisiana users group primarily for the K12 user community.

Innovative Development

Name Institution Level Achievement
 
Patricia Goldweic Northwestern University Platinum Developed Bboogle - a building block that integrates file exchange, mail functionality, and calendaring. There have been 1,295 downloads of the Bboogle building block.
Kelt Tyler Dockins University of Arkansas at Little Rock Gold Developed a building block that provides the ability to release secure anonymous course evaluations to students, while allowing different staff to see different levels of the reports.
Kevin Lowey University of Saskatchewan Gold Goes above and beyond to share expertise and knowledge on the BbAdmin listserv, serves in a leadership capacity in the Blackboard SunGard Special Interest Group, has participated in numerous client programs to provide feedback that benefits the entire Blackboard community.

Mobile Innovation

Name Institution Level Achievement
 
Shelley Kinash Bond University Platinum Methodologically studied the impact of Blackboard Mobile Learn and e-texts on student achievement and attitudes; research has been published in scholarly journals, conference papers, and magazines.
Mai Yin Tsoi and team Georgia Gwinnett College Platinum Used Blackboard Mobile Learn + Custom Mobile Apps developed collaboratively between Chemistry and Software Development students to achieve a 90%+ success rate in Organic Chemistry, a class that traditionally results in a 40% drop in student retention in Chemistry programs nationwide.
Robert Davis Virginia Commonwealth University Platinum VCU designed a unique portfolio of mobile modules within Blackboard Mobile Central which helped increase their visibility tenfold starting with better service to their on-campus community, better communications (just in time revenue) with their alumni and an opportunity to showcase their on-line learning process with their senior staff and governing body.
Aline Davis, Robin Robinson, Clair Waterbury,
Deb Moschella, Corey Hobbs, Mille Gonzalez		 Framingham State College Gold Studying the impact of Blackboard Mobile Learn and e-texts on achievement and attitudes in a wide-spread initiative that includes surveys, focus groups, and student blogging.
Quaiser Absar Shenandoah University Gold Launched a new Mobile App using Mobile Centeral . SU not only is promoting their green, environment friendly mission, they are addressing the needs of today's learners living a mobile world, and giving students the freedom to use that technology in a way that is above the normal phone, Internet, and Facebook life.
Wendy Chun University of Miami Gold Developed and fully deployed 4 unique community centric Springboard Modules. To provide real time and innovative mobile experience to the university community for Parking, Campus Shuttle Schedule, Library Resource Availability, and UM Health Physician Referrals.

Staff Development

Name Institution Level Achievement
 
Angela Green Arkansas Childrens Hospital Platinum Implemented evidence based practice (EBP) as a solution to improve healthcare quality and identified it as a key competency for healthcare professionals.
Suzan Harkness University of the District of Columbia Platinum Impacted the institution across all departments and has identified a clear pathway for strategic growth in online education for the residents of the District of Columbia and beyond. After partnering with Quality Matters and other faculty professional development initiatives, there was a 73 percent increase improvement in peer review courses over prior efforts.
Jeff Simmons Idaho Digital Learning Academy Gold IDLA has developed a tiered professional development program that delivers training at each teacher's current level of expertise.
Philip Arnold Ozarks Technical Community College Gold Implemented a variety of online faculty development offerings to allow for instructional design, online pedagogy, online tools, and Learning Management System (Blackboard) training along with opportunities for collaboration among online faculty.
Kathy Keairns & Bridget Arend University of Denver Gold Launched the Teaching Online Workshop (TOW) course which is having a positive impact not only for faculty members who teach online, but on the way instructors use Blackboard to teach all their courses at the University of Denver.


2011 Winners

Committee's Choice

Name Institution Achievement
 
Sherpa Project Team South Orange County Community College District Development of a unique notification system that supports student success via individualized, event-triggered reminders

Community Collaboration

Name Institution Achievement
 
Kathy Saville Marshall University Created impressive, widely-used documentation developed to support several institutions upgrading from Vista to Blackboard Learn 9.0 or 9.1.
Randal Dalhoff Iowa State University Continually participated and contributed his product and upgrade knowledge to support users at several institutions via CE/Vista Office Hours calls.
Melissa Stange
George Hoffman		 Shenandoah University Established a new user group (VaBUG) and within a short period of time, held the group’s first annual conference with participation from several different institutions and many Blackboard partners.
Greg Frederick Joint Forces Staff College/National Defense University Added new momentum to METBUG, the Military Education Training Blackboard User Group, and brought together military branches and federal agencies nationwide for their first user conference.
Ken Sadowski University of Chicago Founder and principal organizer of SLATE, a long-standing Blackboard User Group in the Midwest. While always having a big annual conference that focuses on key strategic issues for cients, SLATE also began broadcasting their smaller in-person meeting to the web on Blackboard Collaborate technology to reach more institutions.
Julie Mulvey Durham University A key member of the Durham Learning Technologies Team who played a big role in organizing one of the premier user group events in the UK, the Durham Conference, which several institutions participate in.

Exemplary Course Program

Looking for the ECP Winners’ Artifacts? Visit the ECP Wiki site.

Name Institution Exemplary Course Tour
 
Mark Eaton Avila University PY 321 Leadership
Deanna Mayers
Alicia Ross		 Blendedschools.net Macro Economics
James Frey Boston University Contemporary Issues in Art Education
Brad Kay.Goodman Boston University MET CS 679 Bb Classic Architecture
Kim Leblanc Calcasieu Parish Public Schools LACONNECT: Connecting Curriculum and Instructional Practice
Brian Powers Capella University DHA8004 - Innovative Business Practices in Health Care
Robert Leo CNYRIC @ OCM BOCES Blackboard 101
Gillian McKnight-Tutein Cuyahoga Community College Human Resource Management
Teri Herron Delta State University Music in American Culture
Shannon Field Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University MBAA 514 - Strategic Marketing Management in Aviation
Jan Neal Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University DAV_733: Globalization and the Aviation Environment
 
Craig Hardesty Hillsborough Community College MAC 1105 College Algebra
Kelly Cua Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning Culture-Based Resources for Teaching Hawaiian History (CBRTHH)
Clinton Iwami
Komarey Moss		 Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning Ka Na`i Aupuni
Paige Brooks-Jeffiers Kentucky Community & Technical College System Web Design and Production
Dorothy Jones Norfolk State University BUS 330-90 Business Communication
Jack Partlow Northern Virginia Community College BUS 100 Introduction to Business
Karen Lynden Rowan-Cabarrus Community College BUS253:Leadership and Management Skills
Darrell Naylor-Johnson Savannah College of Art and Design Scripting for Interactivity
Leslie Koberna Texas Woman's University Oral Radiology
Robert McCunney
Walt Woerheide		 The American College HS 328 - Investments
Angélica Quiroga Garza Universidad de Monterrey Práctica Profesional Dirigida LPS II
Michael Keables University of Denver NATS 1201: Environmental Systems
Jason Mock University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Special Topics in Leisure - Strategic Management
Michele Pelter University of Nevada, Reno Introduction to Knowledge Development and Scientific Inquiry
Lorna Kearns University of Pittsburgh Organizational and Management Theory

Innovative Development

Name Institution Innovation
 
Szymon Machajewski Grand Rapids Community College Outstanding Developer Contributions
Jeff Kahn Verbena Consulting Outstanding Partner Leadership
Tim Boshart University of Oregon Outstanding System Administration Leadership
Bryan Fendley University of Arkansas at Monticello Outstanding System Administration Leadership
Bruce Phillips University of Kansas Outstanding Developer Contributions
Tas Amphol (Formerly of) Swinburne University Outstanding Developer Leadership
Peter Fokkinga University of Groningen Outstanding Developer Leadership
Kenny Verbeke
Sven Gladines		 K.U. Leuven Outstanding Developer Innovation

Mobile Innovation

Name Institution Achievement
 
Josh Harmon
Bryan Lucas
Richard Yantis  		 Texas Christian University Developed of 2 unique apps using the Blackboard Mobile Central SDK - a Dining and Career Services app. Both work to improve campus efficenies and provide students with up to the minute information.
iLMU Project Team Loyola Maryount University Creation of a photo-sharing app using the Blackboard Mobile Central SDK, giving prospective students a glimpse of student life through the eyes of a member of the LMU community.
George Saltsman and Team Abilene Christian University ACU implemented a full Mobile Learning strategy to increase student engagement, two-way dialogue between faculty and students and improve course reviews.

Staff Development

Name Institution Achievement
 
Northeastern University Online Northeastern University Online Their immersive, scalable approach to training ensured a successful teaching and learning experience for faculty, new to the 9.1 platform.
Dionne Curbeam Coppin State University Their strategic, structured strategy increased faculty adoption by a stunning 60% in just four years
NIU Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center Northern Illinois University The use of collaborative tools to support online faculty training and supplement traditional face-to-face training yields visible results.
Bb Support Staff Shenandoah University A robust approach to training leads to an increase in adoption amongst faculty and students
Alina Solovyova-Vincent University of Nevada, Reno Online course development support yields marked enhancements in teaching and learning campus-wide
Bill Harlow Tidewater Community College A comprehensive training program for new instructors increases adoption and mastery of technology