Each year through a very competitive and evaluative application process, the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) recognizes a small number of committed leaders and pioneers in online learning. Recognition as an OLC Fellow is conferred upon individual members of the Online Learning Consortium by the OLC Board of Directors for outstanding work with online learning, extraordinary contributions to the field, distinguished service to OLC, and extraordinarily leadership.
OLC Fellow Nominations are evaluated on four primary criteria:
Contributions to the Field
Dr. Shelton has authored the following scholarly, peer-reviewed publications over the past eight years in the field of online learning and distance education: one book, two book chapters, nine journal articles, 48 refereed presentations, and two conference proceedings. In sum, Dr. Shelton has over 200+ presentations and publications combined demonstrating her commitment and expertise in the area of distance education, online learning, and quality learning programs. Dr. Shelton has co-authored grants in excess of 2.8 million dollars and contributed to the Gates Foundation proposal which included her own Quality Scorecard for online programs, used globally by several organizations. Overall, Dr. Shelton has spent several decades committed to the growth and development of online learning as a pioneer in distance education.
Expertise in the Field of Digital Learning
In 2019, Dr. Shelton was one of two recipients of the Hall of Fame Award given by the Texas Distance Learning Association, the state chapter of the United States Distance Learning Association. This Award is highly prestigious and is the only state award given to individuals with exemplary assets and commitment to distance learning. Also, in 2019, Dr. Shelton was awarded the Lamar University College of Education and Human Development - Ruth Olcott Award - for her outstanding leadership in digital learning and distance education programs. Dr. Shelton has been recognized and selected for 10 different awards, including the Sloan-C Effective Practice Award for the Quality Scorecard for the Administration of Online Education Programs and the John R. Bourne Outstanding Achievement Award in Online Education from the Sloan Consortium. She continues to serve in the capacity of board member, committee member, editor, review, mentor, and advisory board for over 16 organizations including AACE, AECT, AERA, OLC, NCPEA, and TCPEA. Dr. Shelton has an insurmountable capacity to lead multiple organizations to achieve quality online programs and be a resource to members of those organizations.
Engagement in the Online Community
Dr. Shelton is at the forefront of online learning and continues to define her leadership role in the prestigious Online Learning Consortium as she impacts digital learning both locally and globally. In addition to her international work, Dr. Shelton serves as a Board member for OLC and a senior assistant editor for OLC’s premiere Online Learning Journal (OLJ). She was elected to the OLC Board and participates actively as an OLC board member, the OLC annual conference in which she conducts workshops and presentations as she continues the support for Lamar University to have organizational affiliation with the OLC. As part of her contribution to OLC, Dr. Shelton does workshops for the OLC Quality Scorecard and its affiliates all over the world. These workshops include pre-conference workshops, keynotes, invited presentations, and open sessions. Over the last two years, Dr. Shelton has conducted approximately 15-20 workshops promoting the scorecard and OLC involvement within organizations. She has become an unwavering member, leader and a well-known staple of the OLC community as she continues to impact institutions on a global level. Further, she is an asset to the College of Education and Human Development at Lamar University as she continues to build and grow the College’s outstanding doctoral program.
Written by Dr. Tilisa Thibodeaux