Newswise — Mark Weston, Ph.D., recently joined Georgia Tech Professional Education as dean of learning systems. Weston is responsible for developing and implementing technological solutions and learning management systems to create a better environment for students and industry partners – whether in the classroom, online, or in a blended format. He also directs Professional Education’s online, instructional design, registration, educational logistics, and new program development departments.

“As associate dean, Weston will lead the development and support of Professional Education’s learning systems. His guidance in providing evaluation and assessment for our programs, especially as they relate to knowledge and skill transfer into the workplace is crucial,” said Dr. Nelson Baker, dean of Georgia Tech Professional Education. “We see his appointment as an opportunity to cultivate successful working relationships with key corporate and government personnel regarding business objectives that drive successful educational programs.”

Weston’s work over the last three decades has been focused on enhancing education and its practices through advising heads of state and civic leaders about information and communications technology (ICT), as well as consulting on public policy strategies. His extensive background consists of work with 42 state legislatures and the United States Congress, multiple school districts in Iowa, and has taken his service to 13 countries. Weston also worked directly with numerous governmental agencies such as the Education Commission of the States, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

He formerly served as the director of education advisory services for Dell, Inc. and senior national manager for Strategic Educational Initiatives for Apple, Inc. At Apple, Weston established a partnership between Apple, the state of Maine, and Maine Governor Angus King’s office to provide laptop computers to all seventh- and eighth-grade students in the state. As result of the successful relationship, the initiative has been used as a model by numerous jurisdictions around the country.

“I’m pleased to be a part of the Georgia Tech Professional Education family,” Weston said. “I’m excited about what our role in the future of higher education is, and how we can expand our presence in the global community. Putting Professional Education on the forefront of educational technology through improved learning management systems is a priority for me in this role.”

Weston earned a B.S.S. from Cornell College, an M.S.E. from Drake University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado-Denver. He co-authored the book The Learning Edge: How Technology Can Help Educate All Children with Alan Bain, and has been featured in many journals and prestigious media outlets.

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About Georgia Tech Professional Education:

Georgia Tech Professional Education is an academic division of the Georgia Institute of Technology, which consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Professional Education offers professional master's programs, short courses, and certificate programs to meet the needs of working professionals and industry partners. Programs are available worldwide through a variety of face-to-face, blended learning, and online formats. In addition to professional course offerings, the division administers K-12 outreach and English as a Second Language programs, and manages meeting and event facilities. On an annual basis, Professional Education enrolls more than 30,000 students and works with 3,500 companies. It is located at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta and at the Georgia Tech-Savannah campus. For more information visit: http://www.gtpe.gatech.edu