Jo Ann Fenner has been an advocate for online learning and online students since before e-learning was mainstream and before the World Wide Web existed.
Fenner began her career at Boise State in 1989, quickly becoming a key member of what is now known as the Department of Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL). At that time, the program was named the Instructional and Performance Technology, housed in the College of Technology.
When the department joined the newly formed College of Engineering in 1997, Fenner served in various roles – from graduate assistant to academic advisor, program coordinator, and even senior manager of marketing and outreach services – she always contributed with grace and professionalism.
Fenner developed the advising standards and practices that still guides the OPWL program today. Her vital role in helping the department navigate decades of change is seen in both the work she did and the relationships she built along the way.
A career of dedication and service to students
The program, faculty and student support services have evolved during the last 35 years of operation, yet Fenner’s unwavering dedication to program excellence and student experience has remained a constant source of inspiration.
“I did not grow up thinking that I would have a job in which I would meet people from around the world, discuss their professional goals and assist them with accomplishing those goals by navigating an online graduate program to their successful graduation,” Fenner said. “It made for an exciting and very rewarding career.”
Fenner’s impact on the OPWL program is most seen through the program’s students and graduates. Over the years, she’s touched the lives of several thousands of incoming and continuing OPWL students, resulting in more than 1,300 OPWL graduates.
Her dedication to her students was evident in everything she did from the extra time she spent helping them understand difficult concepts to the encouragement and guidance she offered when they faced challenges. Her students always knew they could count on her, not just as a teacher, but as a mentor and a friend.
Attend Fenner’s retirement celebration
The department invites all to share cherished memories, heartfelt tributes and expressions of gratitude for Fenner. Your stories and sentiments will be a meaningful part of her celebration on Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will be held virtually via this Zoom link.
What’s next for Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning
To ensure a smooth transition following Fenner’s retirement at the end of the semester, Brigitte Cammack, a new student success advisor for OPWL students joined the Extended Studies and the OPWL team this October. Cammack has served the past two and a half years as an academic advisor for major exploration, undeclared students and interdisciplinary studies at Boise State.
In addition to her success as an academic advisor, Cammack brings with her extensive and diversified professional career experience in leadership and business management. As an advisor, she will leverage this experience to support the department.