Thomas Ayers

Dr. Thomas Ayers (Tom) currently works in university online learning operations providing cross-functional leadership among academic units, student services, enrollment operations and external partners including the day-to-day management of an OPM portfolio of graduate programs.

Tom enjoys over 12 years of leading and teaching in online programs. He spent six years at the dean/associate dean level in the community college space, and two years in proprietary education as a vice president of education. Tom previously served for 21 years in a variety of administrative and academic roles at the university level, including executive associate dean for the adult school, assistant dean, assistant professor of organizational leadership, and assistant professor of information technology.

Tom received his PhD in leadership and education from Barry University where he also studied computer education and business administration at the graduate level, and he holds a master's degree from Harvard University in sustainability and environmental management where he also studied computer science at the graduate level.

Tom loves to travel, cook, spend time entertaining family and friends, and catching a Broadway show or symphony performance as often as he can. Dr. Ayers' professional interests also include Open Educational Resources (OER), Competency-Based Education (CBE) and the efficacy of digital courseware.

Key strengths: Leadership, Online Learning, Operations, Sustainability, Change Management, Project Management and Strategic Planning.