Dr. Valerie Bryan

Dr. Valerie C. Bryan, bryan@fau.edu, is Charles Stewart Mott Eminent Scholar and Professor in Educational Leadership & Research Methodology in Adult and Community Education at Florida Atlantic University. She has received a variety of awards and other recognitions including a “woman of outstanding leadership” by The International Women's Leadership Association, 2013; an award at FAU's Unsung Hero Award for mentor roles, 2013; FAU's Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year, 2012; Outstanding Virtual Presentation Award as a co-presenter at E-Learn 2011-2012--World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Honolulu, Hawaii; FAU Graduate Mentor Award, 2011; MacAWARD Exceptional Faculty for College of Education, 2009; FAU College of Education Distinguished Teacher of the Year, 2009; FAU's President's Award, 2006-2007; FAU College of Education's Distinguished Teacher of the Year, 2006; FAU College of Education Teacher of the Year, 2005-2006; Clemson University's President's Award, 1993; North Carolina's Individual of the Year, 1984; and Webmaster of One of Top Ten US Literacy Internet sites, 1998.

At Florida Atlantic University, she teaches courses in adult learning, executive leadership, aging, integration of technology, and a host of other subjects, in multiple platforms. Her research areas focus on virtual learning communities, communities of practice, successful aging, and global learning.

She has 52 international, national and state refereed journals; three books; 30 book chapters in international publications; and 84 international, national and state refereed conference presentations; and 200 non refereed conference presentations; and in addition created documents, training manuals, over 56 Blackboard courses, webinars, CD-ROMs, etc.

She has chaired over 90 dissertations and procured over 2 million dollars in grant. She has recently received approval for a Chinese Leadership Academy to be housed in Florida.

Her dissertation was entitled: Verification of competencies needed by entry-level recreation, park and leisure professionals in Florida and the relationship of competency perception to readiness for self-directed learning.