Using Modern Students’ Voices to Inform Your Online Ecosystem

Tekoya Boykins

Director, Academic Program Strategy, Risepoint

Dr. Tekoya Boykins is a passionate educator who promotes growth and positive change through education. Currently serving as the director of academic strategic planning and support at Risepoint, Tekoya is an advocate for education who has led in various capacities including serving as a business and education faculty, curriculum and instructional designer, assessment writer, and faculty trainer for professional development. Her research focuses on competency-based education.

She has a heart for continuous growth and improvement. She is active in her community promoting education to underserved and underrepresented populations who desire change through quality and innovative education.

Tim Wall

Dean, School of Education and Director, Teaching Education, Northwest Missouri State University

Dr. Tim Wall has served as a professor, dean, and director at the Northwest Missouri State University School of Education since 2016. His research passions include high-quality educator preparation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and assessment and data analysis supporting quality. He has led outstanding enrollment growth and secured grants totaling over $2.1 million. The unit he leads has received national recognition for excellence in data systems, clinical practice, and partnerships. He has served as a commissioner for the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation since 2023 and is the national co-chair of the AAQEP standards reinvention committee. He is also co-editing a manuscript on Data Use for Program Improvement and has numerous scholarly publications. Outside of work, Tim loves his family, education, music, sports, travel, social justice, and faith.

Melody Buckner

Associate Vice Provost, Digital Learning Initiatives and Online, The University of Arizona

Melody Buckner is the associate vice provost of Digital Learning and Online Initiatives for the University of Arizona. In this role, she collaborates with university leaders, faculty, and academic staff to articulate the implementation of online education and assist in defining the institutional values for digital learning to align with the University’s mission. Her faculty affiliation is with the College of Education, and she conducts research and teaching in the areas of educational technology, digital and creative literacies, and multicultural education.

She serves on the board of BYTE, a cross-border youth development program offering tennis and academic classes on both sides of the Nogales US/Mexico border. She became involved with this organization because of her passion for digital storytelling and love of the game of tennis. Her informal education consists of living in over 40 different places, including several countries overseas.