Annual Summit for Women in eLearning

Aleyda Cantu-Lee

Director, Digital Learning, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

aleyda.cantu-lee@highered.texas.gov

LinkedIn Profile

Dr. Aleyda Cantu-Lee is a director in the Division of Digital Learning at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Throughout her career, Aleyda has seamlessly transitioned through roles such as instructional designer, instructional consultant, and director, displaying a keen aptitude for leadership. She actively contributes to various committees and professional organizations, focusing on quality assurance, social engagement, academic processes, and the advocacy of digital learning across the state of Texas and the nation.

A trailblazer in the digital learning field, Aleyda has played a pivotal role in launching numerous programs and professional development opportunities. Her commitment lies in supporting both faculty and students on their transformative journey into the digital learning ecosystem.

Darcy W. Hardy

WCET Executive Council, Founder and Chief Strategist, The Hardy Group

(512) 757-5005darcy.hardy@thehardygrp.com

Darcy W. Hardy is the Founder and Chief Strategist with the Hardy Group. Dr. Hardy is an award-winning distance and online learning professional who has worked as a higher education administrator, as an IPA with the Obama Administration, a board member in state and national associations, and as a contributor in higher education ed tech. Within the field of online learning, she focuses on strategy & vision; organization & governance; policy, process & practice; and quality oversight.

Dr. Hardy spent over 30 years in public higher education, including The University of Texas System, The University of Texas at Austin, UT San Antonio, and Texas State University – San Marcos. 

Dr. Hardy was honored by Texas State University as a Distinguished Alumna in 2012. She was inducted into the USDLA Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the Mildred and Charles Wedemeyer Outstanding Distance Learning Practitioner Award in Madison, Wisconsin in 2006. In addition, she was inducted into the Texas Distance Learning Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and received the WCET Richard Jonsen Award in 2005. She earned her PhD in Curriculum & Instruction (Instructional Technology) from The University of Texas at Austin in 1992.

Valary A. Oleinik

Owner and Chief Disruptor, DandeLearn LLC

valary@valarywithawhy.com

@valarywithawhyLinkedIn Profile

Kim Nawrocki

Assistant Director, Events and Programs, WCET

303-541-0231knawrocki@wiche.edu

Kim is assistant director of events and programs, a position in which she oversees logistics for WCET’s numerous webcasts and member events, the Annual Meeting, and the Summit. Her attention to detail and strategic facilitation help make many of our events and programs possible. She joined WICHE in 2013, working in the Program and Services Unit until May 2020 when she joined the WCET team.

Before moving to beautiful Boulder, CO, Kim spent several years herding hospital executives at a hospital in West Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in international studies and Spanish from West Virginia University. In her spare time, Kim can be found cuddling her senior pugs and exploring Colorado’s abundant parks and hiking trails with her husband and toddler. Kim’s favorite character is Alexis Rose from the infamous television series Schitt’s Creek.