History professor honored for online education leadership at IU Online Summit

KOKOMO, Ind. - An Indiana University Kokomo professor was among three IU faculty members honored as winners of the inaugural IU Online Excellence in Online Education Awards. The new awards recognize faculty, instructors, and staff whose innovation, leadership, and dedication are advancing high-quality online education across Indiana University.

Andrew McFarland, professor of history and associate dean in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at IU Kokomo, and faculty director of IU's university-wide online history programs, received the Excellence in Leadership and Collaboration award, which recognizes leadership that advances online education through strategic vision, collaboration, and support across campuses.

In his faculty director role, McFarland provides strategic leadership for collaborative online history degrees across all IU campuses, overseeing curriculum, scheduling, assessment, and program growth while fostering a strong culture of trust, equity, and shared governance among faculty and staff.

His collaborative approach has transformed the IU Online history programs into a nationally recognized model for multi-campus cooperation, expanding access for students, sustaining academic quality, and building a cohesive online department that supports both faculty success and student outcomes.

Nominators commended McFarland's commitment to building solidarity across IU history departments, his ability to foster camaraderie among faculty, and leadership in developing creative solutions to challenges.

"Dr. McFarland's sustained leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and commitment to student and program success have been essential to the rapid growth and increasing quality of IU's online history degrees," said Christopher R. Darr, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Tara Kingsley, professor of education and associate dean of education, was among the finalists for the Excellence in Leadership and Collaboration award.

Jennifer McNeany, assistant clinical professor in school psychology, was a finalist for the Excellence in Teaching and Student Success Award, which honors exceptional online teaching practices that enhance student learning, engagement, and retention.

Paul Cook, professor of English, was a finalist for the Excellence in Emerging Technology Award, which celebrates innovative uses of technology, methodology, or assessment that transform the online learning experience.

The awards were presented at the first-ever IU Online Summit, which celebrated "One University, Boundless Reach: Online Education the IU Way."

The university-wide summit, held April 8 on the Indianapolis campus, focused on voices from across the university. It explored IU's comprehensive and unique approach to delivering online education, from within its traditional campuses and based on collaboration, to create One IU, which serves more than 10,000 students.

The event included remarks from IU President Pamela Whitten and IU Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education Ken Iwama; panel discussions about shared pathways to online program success and generative AI in the online landscape; and learning sessions about enhancing the student experience, driving engagement, and building collaborative programs.

The featured speaker was Phil Powell, clinical professor of business economics and public policy in the Kelley School of Business and executive director of the Indiana Business Research Center. He discussed the economic impact of online learning, including the critical pathways it provides for adult learners and working professionals in the employment market.

"The IU Online Summit highlighted the strength of One IU - our faculty and staff from all campuses - in bringing IU's excellence to students, wherever they are, in alignment with their needs," Iwama said at the event. "Today's summit focuses on how far we have come together through a commitment to innovation in creating new pathways and opportunities for students through online education."

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.