Todd Blankenbeckler assumes Digital Learning director post

20-year Southwest veteran staff and faculty member Todd Blankenbeckler has been tapped to serve as the College’s director of Digital Learning. In this role, Blankenbeckler will provide leadership and support to what has been traditionally known as Distance Education, including support of Desire2Learn (D2L) or PAWS; online, hybrid and web assisted courses; Instructional Technology and the TN eCampus program.

Blankenbeckler began his career with Southwest in 1998 as the Geographic Information System Technology program coordinator for then-State Technical College at Memphis, bringing to the post years of experience working on grant projects at the University of Memphis during both his undergraduate and graduate programs. Since then, he has served Southwest in various roles, from coordinating programs to serving on various committees to a stint as Faculty Senate president.  He has worked as an instructional technology specialist, instructional designer and accessibility trainer and, most recently, served as Distance Education and Instructional Technology (DEIT) department director.

Blankenbeckler attended the University of Memphis where he earned a Master of Science degree in Geography and a Baccalaureate of Science degree in Geography and Anthropology. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, quilting with friends and spending time with his partner of 27 years and their four furry, four-legged “children”.