Dr. Sowers serves as the Associate Vice President for Online Learning and Instructional Design at Rosalind Franklin University for Medicine and Science. Bruce has been involved with the development of over 800 online courses across several disciplines and modalities within the higher education, K-12, and corporate environments. Previously, Dr. Sowers served as Assistant Director for Instructional Design and Technology for the Integrated Learning Institute at Ball State University. During his tenure there, Bruce established instructional design processes for course development, implemented standards for course quality, and was responsible for leading innovation in course design. He was also the Quality Matters (QM) Institutional Representative for Ball State University, and responsible for faculty professional development in the areas of instructional design, online teaching, and workforce development. Bruce holds a MA in Information Technology, and a PhD in Computing Technology in Education, as well an, Educational Specialist degree (EdS).
Bruce has consulted with several educational institutions in the area of technology-enhanced instruction and innovative practices which raise student achievement through instructional design and curriculum development. Event engagements include those at both corporate and academic conferences, providing professional development workshops and presentations in the areas of design research, instructional design methodologies, compliance issues within education, and multimedia design cases.
Dr. Sowers has served in several faculty roles, including teaching for the Miller College of Business at Ball State University and the School of Business and Economics at Indiana University East. He has also taught graduate courses in Strategic Planning for Information Technology for the Center of Information and Communication Sciences at Ball State University. Bruce facilitates the development of and delivery of professional development courses for instructional designers, including Learning Theories, Introduction to Instructional Design, Assessment and Measurement, Instructional Design Systems, and Online Program Administration. Bruce also hosts an annual Instructional Design Colloquium which brings together practicing instructional designers and technologists from across higher education.
Bruce's K-12 experience includes serving as the Director of Technology for an Indiana school district for 12 years, serving on various district and regional technology committees, and championing technology-enhanced education through continual professional development opportunities for teachers.
Bruce's corporate background includes involvement with entities such as the Xerox Document University (XDU), Mita Imaging Products, and CCI-Triad Information Systems Products (now Activant).