“Waze” to Find the Detours and Fast Lanes to Understand New U.S. Department of Education Guidance and Regulations

Cheryl Dowd

Senior Director, State Authorization Network & WCET Policy Innovations

cdowd@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Expertise Includes:

• Policy analysis for judicial opinions, statutes, regulations, and guidance related to postsecondary digital education,
• Compliance training for institutions to meet distance education-related requirements to provide student consumer protections,
• State and Federal Compliance considerations for out-of-state activity compliance for postsecondary institutions (including for military students).

Bio

Cheryl joined WCET in August 2015 as the director of the State Authorization Network. She currently serves as the senior director, policy innovations. She directs the overall activities of WCET’s State Authorization Network (SAN), including coordination of staff addressing interstate policy and compliance and other ancillary compliance issues. As senior director, Cheryl also serves the overall WCET membership in addressing emerging and special regulatory issues related to digital learning in postsecondary education. She brings extensive experience in education and compliance to the WCET team and is a contributing author for State Authorization of Colleges and Universities, a guidebook for understanding the legal basis for State and Federal compliance for activities of postsecondary institutions.

Cheryl holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Richmond, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University. She is the mother of four kids, all of whom have been instrumental in helping her develop new interests in theatre, hockey, and figure skating. Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her family and is an avid fan of movies and TV shows written by Aaron Sorkin.

Russ Poulin

Executive Director, WCET & Vice President for Technology-Enhanced Education, WICHE (retired)

303-541-0305rpoulin@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Russ Poulin retired as the executive director for WCET in December 2024. He led the team’s work in supporting the efforts of postsecondary institutions from all 50 states with a focus on the policy and practice of digital learning. Russ was and continues to be a highly sought-after expert and leader regarding policy issues for distance education and on-campus uses of educational technologies. As WICHE vice president for technology-enhanced education, he advised on policy and projects for the regional higher education compact. Russ’s commitment to the field is continually noted, and he was honored to have represented the distance education community on federal negotiated rulemaking committees and subcommittees. Russ has received recognition from the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), the Presidents’ Forum, Excelsior College, and the National University Technology Network (NUTN) for his contributions to postsecondary digital education and educational policy.

Russ received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Denver and holds a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. For no discernible reason, Russ also writes movie reviews for WCET members. As a movie enthusiast, Russ is most fascinated with characters and plots that surprise him. In addition, Russ is a recovering trivia guy who is also partial to cats and his wife, Laurie.

Jana Walser-Smith

Director, Interstate Compliance and SAN Member Outreach, State Authorization Network

jwalsersmith@wiche.edu

Jana joined SAN in September of 2022 as the Director, Interstate Compliance and SAN Member Outreach where she assists with engaging, training, communicating, and supporting SAN members. Jana serves as the lead educator addressing foundational principles of state authorization and state-to-state institutional approvals through the development of training events and resources that reinforce the foundational principles of interstate compliance. Additionally, Jana serves as the chief communicator in the development of efficient communication practices to engage SAN members.

Jana comes to SAN from Southern New Hampshire University and previously from the University of North Carolina (UNC) System Office, UNC Greensboro, and Appalachian State University where she served in various compliance and state authorization roles. She additionally has many years of experience as a Faculty Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty at institutions in North Carolina. Prior to these roles, Jana also worked in corporate finance for multiple fortune 200 organizations.

Jana holds an EdD degree from Appalachian State University, MA from Wake Forest University, and a BS from High Point University. Beyond her role at SAN, Jana enjoys traveling, perusing antique and collectable showrooms, working with church and community projects, spending time with her husband and three adult daughters, and rearing her 11-year-old great-niece.