Office of Collaborative Partnerships and Distance Education
Since 2017, Office of Collaborative Partnerships and Distance Education acts as a liaison between AUM and other institutions by developing partnerships that offer access to AUM’s academic programs, both online and in-person, to students in the rural and urban areas of the River Region, across Alabama, in neighboring states (member states that are part of the NC-SARA agreement), and internationally. This office also cultivates community partnerships through the Chancellor’s Business Breakfast and other events.
Features and Offerings
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Meet the Team
Shanta Varma
Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Distance Ed & Collaborative Partnerships; Professor
Shanta Varma
Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Distance Ed & Collaborative Partnerships; Professor | College of Education
Dr. Shanta Goswami Varma is Professor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Distance Education & Collaborative Partnerships. With more than two decades of experience in online education, she has led initiatives in instructional technology, digital equity, and open educational resources (OER). Her leadership has expanded AUM’s online programs, strengthened faculty development, and advanced both domestic and international partnerships. Her research focuses on student engagement, digital literacy in marginalized communities, and the use of OER to promote access and retention in higher education.
Faculty’s Expertise: Distance Education, Instructional Technology, Digital Equity, Open Educational Resources (OER), Online Program Development, Faculty Development & Training, Global & Community Partnerships, Digital Literacy in Marginalized Communities, Student Engagement in Online Learning.
Xiaoke Jia
Student Services Coordinator
Lorina Tamayo
Collaborative Partnership Program Coordinator
Lorina Tamayo
Collaborative Partnership Program Coordinator
