Diana Botsford, faculty in the department of media, journalism and film at Missouri State University, received the 2013 Missouri Distance Learning Association Higher Education Educator award. This award is given annually to an instructor of higher education who has made important contributions to the field of distance learning.

“I’m thrilled and humbled to be selected for this award,” said Botsford. “I’ve been blessed with exceptional support from fellow faculty, department heads, the provost’s office, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, the online department and students who are eager to help push through the boundaries of what it means to learn online.”

Botsford helped create the university’s screenwriting certificate and minor. She also developed several online courses and worked on the award winning Web series, “Epilogue,” with Dr. Deb Larson, assistant professor in the department of media, journalism and film.

Botsford will continue teaching online classes this fall despite a move to Texas.

“Being an educator for Missouri State has become so much a part of my identity that even though I will be going to part-time status, I’m still only an email, tweet, Facebook status or Google Hangout away,” Botsford said.

For more information, contact Botsford at DBotsford@MissouriState.edu.

Courtesy Missouri State’s Office of University Communications