Berkeley College Professor Receives Distance Learning Honor

Mary Jane Clerkin, DA, professor of English, Berkeley College School of Liberal Arts, was inducted into the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 2014 Hall of Fame during the USDLA National Conference on May 6 in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Clerkin was recognized for significant contributions to the field of online learning through leadership, technology, research and teaching. In addition, Berkeley College Online® was recognized at the conference for receiving USDLA/QS certification for excellence in distance learning.

“As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we are honoring Dr. Clerkin and Berkeley College as leaders in the industry,” said John G. Flores, Executive Director of USDLA and Executive Dean at Nova Southeastern University. “Dr. Clerkin has raised the bar of excellence and we are truly honored by her contributions within all distance learning constituencies.”

Dario A. Cortes, PhD, President of Berkeley College, said that Dr. Clerkin has played an important role in the growth and development of a highly successful online program at Berkeley College. The Berkeley College Class of 2014 included 550 online graduates who were recognized during the recent Berkeley College Virtual Commencement ceremony.    

“Dr. Clerkin is widely recognized as an innovative leader in the field of online teaching and learning, and we are very proud of her accomplishments,” Dr. Cortes said.

This is the second time that Dr. Clerkin has been honored by the USDLA. In 2007, she was presented with the USDLA Best Practices Gold Award in recognition of her extraordinary achievement in scholarly research and writing, leadership and service. Dr. Clerkin frequently presents at national and international conferences on the use of technology in the online programs at Berkeley College. Most recently, she presented “Using Voice in Online Courses” at the NJEdge.Net Faculty Best Practices showcase at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ.  At the USDLA National Conference in St. Louis, Dr. Clerkin presented “How Easy Can Connections Get.”

Dr. Clerkin began her tenure at Berkeley College in 1984 as a professor of English. In addition, she served as the Coordinator of Online Faculty Support from 2002 until 2011 and as the Faculty Support Specialist, Berkeley College Online®, from 2011 to 2012. Dr. Clerkin played a leadership role in the design of Berkeley College required courses: Road to Success in Online Teaching and Road to Success in Online Learning. For more information on Dr. Clerkin, visit http://berkeleycollege.edu/berkeley_bc/people/mary_jane_clerkin.htm

Berkeley College also was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2014 Best Colleges in the Online Bachelor Degree category. In addition, BestOnlineColleges.org ranked Berkeley College as one of the 2014 Best Schools Offering Online Marketing Degree Programs.

A leader in providing career-focused education for more than 80 years, Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and enrolls approximately 8,000 students — including more than 900 international students — in its Baccalaureate and Associate degree and Certificate programs. The College has six New Jersey locations — Woodland Park, Paramus, Woodbridge, Newark, Clifton and Dover.  In New York there are three locations — Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and White Plains. Berkeley College Online® also offers full degree programs. Programs are offered in more than 20 career fields. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.