Penn University appoints online learning director
Penn University of Pennsylvania has appointed an expert to cover its online learning provisions.
Edward Rock is now the president and provost of the university's senior advisor, as well as the director of its open course schemes.
The university described him as a specialist in corporate law and governance, noting that he has written a wide range of materials on topics including hedge funds, government ownership, power dynamics between managers and shareholders, mergers and acquisitions and stockholder voting.
Currently, he is Penn's Law School's distinguished professor of business law, as well as the Wharton School's professor of business economics and public policy.
He had also been a visiting professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, New York University, Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt and Columbia University.
The e-learning leader spent five years as an associate and partner in Philadelphia law office Fine, Kaplan & Black, before moving to work at Penn in 1989.
Professor Rock has held the positions of co-director of the Institute of Law and Economics, as well as the Law School's associate dean for academic affairs.
His new position will see him supporting the integration of online training programmes and virtual learning environments, working alongside deans, the president, provost, departmental heads and other university leaders with the aim of bringing innovative teaching methods into instructional support projects and curriculum on campus.
Penn president Amy Gutmann said: "Under his stewardship, I am certain we will see our online capabilities flourish and the university's international leadership in this vital area continue to grow."
She argued that Professor Rock's vision and experience will guide the university's e-learning provisions, which will provide significant advantages to Penn.
"Expanding access to higher education both nationally and globally remains one of our most critical responsibilities," Ms Gutmann had previously remarked, adding: "It is a challenge to develop good online courses, but also a wonderful opportunity."
05 September 2012