About

Above waist image of Ryan smiling

Ryan is an innovative and compassionate leader with expertise in higher education administration, academic libraries, digital learning, and educational technology. He has over 15 years of successful experience in multiple higher education institutions in a variety of leadership roles. His approach to leadership includes empowering team members to internalize the organization’s mission, see their contributions as integral to mutual success, and transform into a high performing team. Ryan uses coaching techniques to encourage team members to achieve their professional goals. Ryan is a committed advocate for equitable learning environments that promote access, diversity, and inclusion. An inquiry-based, constructivist, and learner-centric educator at heart, Ryan is passionate about driving innovative and equitable student success-focused teaching and learning at educational institutions.

From 2017-2020, Ryan was the Dean of Libraries at George Fox University where he led two libraries that were supported by a vibrant and patron-focused access services team, service-oriented librarians, dedicated technical services staff, a dynamic digital learning director, and an engaged archivist. A number of projects that contributed to the university’s “Be Known” promise includes the student textbook affordability program (saved students over $1 million in three years), a new 24/7 study space at the Newberg campus library, personalized research consultations offered in a variety of formats, and a growing digital repository of student/faculty scholarship. Significant accomplishments include overseeing the launch of a new website, revamping the university’s Digital Learning (supporting online, face-to-face, and blended teaching and learning) department, development and implementation of a robust strategic plan, and adopting Oregon State University’s Search Advocate program (reduce structural and implicit bias and integrate inclusive and anti-racist practices in staff/faculty hiring/retention). Additionally, Ryan re-developed and co-led the university’s Digital Fluency Institute which equipped incoming faculty with digital teaching and learning strategies to become successful learner-centric professors in online, blended, and face-to-face learning environments.

Prior to arriving at George Fox University in July 2017, Ryan served for seven years as the Head of Library Technology at Seattle Pacific University where he supported the educational technology needs of students, faculty, and staff; envisioned, launched, and led the Tech Desk, which provided technology tools, assistance, and space for students to discover, create, and share. Ryan co-led multiple faculty communities of practice focused on active learning pedagogy and creating a “untethered teaching” experience.

A Pacific Northwest native, he began his educational technology career at Trinity Lutheran College. Just prior to SPU, he survived multiple harsh winters in Minneapolis and worked at Augsburg University as the Teaching and Learning Spaces Liaison.

Ryan has M.Ed. in Digital Education Leadership from Seattle Pacific University and a Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies from Seattle Pacific Seminary.

Ryan, who regularly queues for latest Apple product, enjoys discussing the intersection of digital innovation, education, and community over a good cup of hot coffee or a cold microbrew. He is passionate about helping others live fully and express their identity authentically in both analog and digital spaces.

Residing in the Pacific Wonderland, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family—partner, two young kids, and a golden retriever named Wrigley. When not in his hammock or forest bathing, Ryan enjoys discussing the intersection of digital innovation, education, and community over a good cup of brew. He is passionate about helping others live fully and express their identity authentically in both analog and digital spaces. In his free time—beyond changing diapers and endless laundry—Ryan enjoys building LEGOs with his kids (or, more realistically, sitting in despair while watching his kids destroy the LEGO creations).

You can find Ryan on Twitter, @ryincascadia, or, if you prefer, send him a message with the form below. To learn more about the sorts of things Ryan has accomplished, you are invited to explore his curriculum vitae.

Most posts are part of a cumulative bPortfolio project for the M.Ed. program. However, posts may engage with Ryan’s current musings on education, digital technologies, and potentially his favorite LEGO creations.

Last updated: February 25th, 2021

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