Academic Transformation

Dr. De Sellers began one of the earliest cognitive-based learning skills course for college students in the U.S. in 1973 at Texas State University-San Marcos, incorporating both the emerging theory and the research-based practice from subdisciplines in psychology and educational psychology into the course. She continued to teach the course for more than 25 years before retiring. Some of her administrative posts included Dean of the College of General Studies, Director of the Student Learning Assistance Center, and Director of the International Office. She holds both an M.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where she focused her studies on adult learners. De is now the president of Cerridwen, Inc., a consulting company for educational and psychological services.

Dr. Carol W. Dochen, employed at Texas State University-San Marcos since 1979, is currently the Director of the Student Learning Assistance Center. She also teaches undergraduate courses in both the Department of Educational Administration and Psychological Services and in University College. Carol earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, with a minor in Educational Psychology, from the University of Texas at Austin. She is actively involved in state and national developmental education organizations and was a founding member of the annual statewide College Academic Support Programs conference. Carol is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences and received a College Academic Support Programs award for Outstanding Conference Institute. She has published in a variety of journals and books and has obtained grants to establish model Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Online Tutoring programs at Texas State.

Dr. Russ Hodges has worked at Texas State University-San Marcos since 1986 and coordinates the university's learning framework course, EDP 1350, Effective Learning. Russ also teaches graduate courses in Developmental and Adult Education and in Education. Russ earned his Doctorate of Education, specializing in Developmental Education, from Grambling State University in Louisiana. He is currently president-elect of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). He is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences and received the Award for Outstanding Article from the Journal of Developmental Education (Vol. 24) in 2002. He also received a College Academic Support Programs award for Outstanding Conference Institute.