I am the program director of the Master of Technology Enhanced Learning (MTEL) graduate program at the Center for Lifelong Learning at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, as well as a former associate professor (adjunct faculty) within the Master of Distance Education and E-Learning (MDE) program at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). I am a previous member of the executive board and a vice-president of the European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN) and have published numerous papers through the organization and was named EDEN Fellow in 2013 and EDEN Senior Fellow in 2018. Currently, I serve as Chair of the Board of the EDEN Council of Fellows. In addition, I am on the International Advisory Board of the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (ETHE) and the editorial board European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning (EURODL), as well as peer reviewer for a wide variety of scholarly journals within the open, distance, and e-learning (ODeL) field. 

My research interests are primarily in the areas of lifelong and self-determined learning (heutagogy), online collaboration, and pedagogical application of web 2.0 technologies. I also offer consulting services in e-learning and technical communication, such as e-learning design and development and project management. I have over 20 years experience working within international corporate environments, leading and implementing enterprise-wide knowledge management and training solutions for the software industry. My career experience has been varied, ranging from hands-on practical technical writing and instructional design to global management of e-learning and blended learning projects. Born and raised in Wisconsin, I moved to Germany in 1990 to work for a then little-known software company called SAP. Currently, I live with my daughter and son in southern Germany.