Learn More About the Spring 2021 NECHE Visiting Team
Myk Garn
Assistant Vice Chancellor for New Learning Models
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
Experience:
Member Board Of Directors:
Competency Based Education Network (C-BEN)
March 2015 – Present
Assistant Vice Chancellor for New Learning Models:
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
December 2013 – Present
This is leadership position has three major areas of responsibility: (1) leading the USG New Learning Models Task force focused on developing a systemwide strategy for new learning models and associated policy changes; (2) serving as a primary system level resource for new instructional models; and (3) providing leadership for implementation and evaluation of new delivery models.
Educational Consultant:
Education Consultant
2013 – November 2013
Leading college and system design, development and deployment of new instructional and educational operations models. Emphasis on competency-based, student-driven, advancement-by-mastery models. Specialties in strategic planning, affordability, emerging trends, disruptive innovation, quality standards, governance, fast failure and accessibility of Internet-based instruction and services for learners with disabilities.
Vice President, Academic Strategies:
StraighterLine
August 2012 – March 2013
Builds, maintains and deepens relationships with SL’s academic partners enabling them to serve their students using highly effective, efficient and affordable instructional models and services.
Director, Educational Technology:
Southern Regional Education Board
May 2008 – July 2012
Executive Director:
Kentucky Virtual Campus
2006 – 2008
Vice-president, eLearning:
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
2006 – 2008
Senior Advisor, Distance Education:
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
2003 – 2006
Chief Academic Officer:
Kentucky Virtual University
June 1999 – 2003
Director, Distance Learning:
University System of Georgia Board of Regents
1996 – 1999
Coordination of distance education activities across the University of Georgia System including GSAMS, satellite, and online systems.
Education:
University of Kentucky
Ph.D.
Education Policy and Evaluation
2000 – 2005
Michigan State University
Masters Educational System Design
1986 – 1987
Brooks Institute
Bachelor of Arts
Color Technology/Undersea Photographic Technology
1974 – 1977
Donald L. Birx
Biography:
Donald L. Birx, Ph.D., became the 15th president of Plymouth State University on July 31, 2015.
Dr. Birx served as the chancellor of Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College, and was responsible for the quality of the college’s academic programs in teaching, research and service, and its overall operations, including strategic planning, human resources, enrollment management, fundraising, marketing, alumni and community relations, intercollegiate athletics and outreach.
Before joining Penn State Behrend, Dr. Birx served as vice chancellor and vice president for research for the University of Houston System (UH). His accomplishments there included the initiation of systemwide, multidisciplinary clusters that spanned UH’s colleges and campuses, focusing on strategic collaboration in the areas of nano-materials, energy and natural resources, biomedicine, complex systems, community advancement and education and arts and human enrichment. At UH, Dr. Birx founded the Center for Industrial Partnerships, a joint endeavor to translate research to practical applications and increase interplay between the business community and the university’s research faculty. In addition, he held the appointment of full professor of electrical engineering.
Prior to his work at UH, Dr. Birx was interim vice provost/president for research and professor of physics at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Dr. Birx began his career in academia following industry experience with Systems Research Laboratories, Inc., in Dayton, Ohio, where he advanced from senior scientist to principal investigator, then general manager of the company’s intelligent systems division, and finally vice president and team leader of technology and new ventures.
Dr. Birx holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the University of California, Berkeley; a master’s degree in physics and an MBA in finance, both from Miami University of Ohio; and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton. He and his wife, Linda, have four children.