SCHOLARS TO LEADERS SPEAKER SERIES | November 2023
From Dissertation to Leadership: An Unconventional Journey to Vice Presidency
Dr. Cristi Ford serves as VP of Academic Affairs at D2L. During our talk she will share her journey that defies conventional academic trajectories as a PhD holder. Her story is a compelling example to anyone looking to pursue a non-linear academic journey that eschewed traditional career paths and embraced diverse experiences, forging an unconventional yet impactful route to leadership. Cristi broke away from the expected course post-doctorate, and sought varied opportunities across industries, leveraging her expertise in unexpected domains.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Cristi Ford is a Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L. She has over 20 years of experience in higher education, secondary education, project management, program evaluation, training, and student services. She is a tireless advocate for quality online education and has helped institutions build capacity to launch and expand online programming through effective faculty development, instructional design, and pedagogical practices.
She is passionate about reducing barriers and increasing access to different modalities of education. She has worked in many educational sectors, including K-12, special education, higher education, nonprofit, and global education. Throughout her career, her mission has remained the same—to create access and impact for learners who have been on the fringes.
Ford is a highly respected leader in the online learning community. She was selected by the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) as the 2021 OLC Fellow, which is the highest professional distinction offered by the association. She is also a frequent speaker and writer on online learning topics.
In her current role at D2L, Ford leads a team of experts who support institutions in their efforts to improve teaching and learning in the online environment. She is also responsible for developing and delivering thought leadership on online learning trends and best practices.
Dr. Ford is a graduate of Hampton University, the University of Baltimore, and the University of Missouri-Columbia. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership.
