Amanda J. RockInson-Szapkiw, EdD, PhD

Dr. Rockinson-Szapkiw is an educator and scholar who aims to identify innovative approaches to distance education and technology integration to improve student success- their learning, community, identity development, and, in turn, and ultimately, their academic and career persistence. Through innovative approaches to education, Dr. Rockinson-Szapkiw seeks to broaden participation of populations in academic programs and careers where they have been traditionally underrepresented.

Dr. Rockinson-Szapkiw holds an Ed.D. in Distance Education, a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, an M.A. in Counseling, and a B.S. in Education. With over 10 years of higher education teaching experience, she has designed and taught residential, online, and blended courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. She has published over 5 dozen peer reviewed articles and presented over 100 national and international presentations and workshops. Her noteworthy awards and recognition in teaching, scholarship, and service include: the College of Education Research and Scholarship Award (2018), University of Memphis; an Outstanding Service Award (2018), American Educational Research Association Online Teaching and Learning SIG 035; an Outstanding Publication Award (2015), American Educational Research Association Graduate and Post-Doctoral SIG 168; the Innovator in Student Systems and Services Award (2013), Campus Technology; and the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2011), Liberty University.

For more information about Dr. Rockinson-Szapkiw, visit AmandaSzapkiw.com or download her CV (PDF).

Contact Dr. Rockinson-Szapkiw at dr.rockinsonszapkiw@gmail.com.

Today's Presentation

Academic-family Integration: The Differences Between Men and Women in Distance Education and Residential Doctoral Program (PDF)

*DAFI Inventory used for the investigation presented.

Teaching & Mentorship

Teaching Statment (PDF)

Example Course 1: Scholarly practice in IDT (Note: not all links are active) (Web)

Example Course 2: Principles of Design (Note: not all links are active) (Web)

Example Instructional Module: Identifying a Problem of Practice to Investigate (Web)

Doctoral Advising Video (Listen to students tell about my mentorship) (Streaming Video)

 

Relevant Courses Taught & Designed (Selected):

I have designed and taught residential, online, and blended courses at the masters and doctoral levels. McKeachie (2011, p. 270) cites my use of web-based tools, such as wikis and Twitter, in the classroom as exemplary. 

  • EDUC 633 Principals of Design and Management in Distance Education (Online)
  • EDUC 639 Trends and Issues in Educational Technology (Online)
  • ICL 8995 IDT Scholarly Project (Online)
  • IDT 8092 Research in IDT (Online
  • IDT 8500 Evaluation and Synthesis of Research in IDT (Online)

Please see my curriculum vitae for additional courses. Also, please view a summary of my Teaching Evaluations.

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Research & Scholarship

Research Statement (PDF)

Featured Book Available on Amazon.com

Rockinson-Szapkiw, A.J. & Spaulding, L.S. (Eds.) (2014). Navigating the doctoral journey: A handbook of strategies for success. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Book Chapters

Wendt, J., Nisbet, D., & Rockinson-Szapkiw, A.J. (2018). Distance learning course design: Considering diverse international learners. In Milheim, K.L. (Ed.), Online Teaching and Learning for International Students. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J., Spaulding, L. S., & Swezey, J. A. (2014). Right sizing your research method. In Rockinson-Szapkiw, A.J. & Spaulding, L.S. (Eds.). Navigating the doctoral journey: A handbook of strategies for success. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Articles

Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J., Sosin, L. S., & Spaulding, L. (2018). Does family matter? A phenomenological inquiry exploring the lived experiences of women persisting in distance education, professional doctoral programs. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 497-515. https://doi.org/10.28945/4157 

*Rockinson-Szapkiw, A.J., Bray, O. & Spaulding, L.S. (2014). Examining the predictive validity of GRE scores on doctoral education students’ success and methodology choices in the dissertation process. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 16(3).

Funded Project

Wendt, J. (PI), Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J. (Co-PI), & Walker, T. (Co-PI). (2017). Broadening Participation and Persistence: Empowering Minority Females in STEM Careers. National Science Foundation Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate (HBCU-UP) Broadening Participation Research Project Program ($286,128, funded). As a Co-PI, I have developed the content, designed the virtual modules, and overseen the research and evaluation. Visit the Grant site to learn more about this project. 

Please see my CV for a full list of publications and presentations.

Asterisks (*) next to presentations and publications on my curriculum vitae and above indicate my collaboration with students and demonstrate my strong interest and skill in mentoring/ supervising and collaborating with students on research.

Awards for Innovation & Scholarship

“There are professionals in this world that are high-performing individuals in the top 90 to 98 percentile. These are great people to have on your team. BUT, then there are ALL-STARS—the proverbial unicorns of education and of business—that function in the top 1 to 2 percentile. Dr. Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw is one of those few all-stars.”
– Michael, Colleague
“Rockinson-Szapkiw has been such an inspiration to me in everything that she does. She’s not only a dissertation chair but a female mentor and a role model for balancing service, research, and family, as well. Her knowledge regarding research and the dissertation process is exceptional to say the least. I do not feel that I would have made it this far into the process without her. What an asset!”
– Student, EDUC 989 Dissertation Seminar
“Q’s efficiency was appreciated. The turnaround time on assignment feedback was spectacular. She has far surpassed any other professor I have had so far in the department. Not only was her turnaround time amazing she provided thoughtful feedback that made me evaluate my research plan.”
– Student, EDUC 798 Advanced Research and Writing
“I was impressed with your organization of the dissertation process at LU.  I completed my degree at the University of Central Florida which as a large College of Education (135 residential professors) and feel that the use of Sharepoint to communicate and collaborate among the committee members and student is a much better system than the one I was subjected to. I believe the LU system has several features in place which will be helpful to assuring that students produce a quality dissertation.  I’m looking forward to working with you in the future.”
– Nathan, Faculty
“Szapkiw’s patience and encouragement in this statistics class was that of a saint. She maintained a balance of compassion and rigor and she demonstrated an exemplary model of student teacher engagement. The presentations by Dr. Szapkiw demonstrating SPSS usage were excellent!”
– Student, EDUC 812: Advanced Statistics
“I have made more progress on my dissertation in the past 7 weeks than I have in the past two years under Dr. Szapkiw’s guidance.”
– Student, EDUC 980 Dissertation Prospectus Development, Quantitative
“Szapkiw was encouraging and kind, while being evaluative and scholarly. She provides clear feedback and is willing to go the extra mile to assist students in understanding research and developing quality plans for their dissertations. Research methods is her expertise, yet she explains research in a way a novice can understand. I cannot begin to say enough positive things about her and what this course has done for my mental state in this doctoral process.”
– Student, EDUC 919: Advanced Professional Writing and Research
“She is the best teacher I’ve worked with! She is Very analytical Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her subject (statistics).She is also challenging.”
– Student, EDUC 712: Advanced Statistics
“Szapkiw is a caring teacher, very responsive, and displays the characteristics of an educational leader. The material is difficult but the teacher is awesome! She has excellent communication skills, is very professional, and graded critically but fairly.”
– Student, EDUC 639 Trends and Issues in Educational Technology
@ 2016. Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw. All Rights Reserved. Affiliate Disclosure.