Congratulations to Patricia J. Slagter van Tryon who has earned a promotion from an Assistant Professor to an Associate Professor at East Carolina University in the Department of Math, Science, & Instructional Technology Education. Patricia earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Science Education from Temple University, her Master of Arts degree in Environmental Science Education from Arcadia University, and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Technology (concentration in instructional design and development) from Lehigh University. Patricia holds three Pennsylvania Instructional II Teaching Certificates, K-12 Environmental Science, Earth and Space Science and General (Life) Science and has 12 years of successful teaching experience as a public school middle grades teacher of science for the North Penn School District, Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Patricia completed both the Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy program and the Faculty Language Development Program here at East Carolin to support her research and teaching for the university. Her research interests include social cognition in online and blended learning environments, schema revision in mediated communication, and the design and development of university/community partnerships in education to promote economic prosperity in rural communities. Patricia’s research examines ways to enhance social connectedness in learning environments from the perspective of social cognition theory. Patricia’s research is published in such refereed journals as the Quarterly Review of Distance Education, Distance Education, and TechTrends. In addition Patricia has made many national presentations of her work.
