Polk State receives International Distance Learning Award
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented Polk State College’s Director of Learning Technology and Online Education Cody Moyer with an International Distance Learning Award in the leadership category for higher education.
The USDLA is the international leader in distance learning education and the longest-standing distance learning association. The USDLA recognizes innovators and leaders within the distance learning industry, with its awards acknowledging major accomplishments in distance learning and highlighting instructors, programs, and professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements using online learning techniques, innovation, and video delivery technologies globally.
“The International Award program continues to provide prestigious recognition for educational influencers around the world,” USDLA President Eric Jones said. “These award winners are truly leaders in the distance/digital learning industry and their work in support of pedagogy is unsurpassed.”
Moyer accepted the award on July 19 during the 36th Annual USDLA National Conference in Orlando, where he was joined by Polk State Instructional Designers Carleigh Okwali and Katie Ragsdale, critical members of the Learning Technology and Online Education Team.
“Receiving such an award is very humbling for me. I am not in it for the recognition; I do what I do because I love to serve others. All of the accomplishments that have been achieved would not be possible without the investment we make in people,” Moyer said. “For Polk State, that means our students, faculty, and employees. I invest in my team and show them how to genuinely invest in, and empower, our faculty who in turn make changes that impact and support our students.”
Moyer’s accomplishments were shared during the award ceremony. He chairs the College’s Distance Learning Committee, serves as lead coordinator for the Quality Matters initiative, and is a member of both the Florida Virtual Campus Online Instruction Committee and the Florida Instructional Designer Network Advisory Committee.
As a result of Moyer’s work, Polk State was also honored as an Association of Florida College’s Learning Resources Commission 2022 Award finalist and as a top 10 finalist for the national Bellwether Award in 2023.
“I am honored to bring this recognition to the College. None of this would be possible without the support of our President, Dr. Angela M. Garcia Falconetti, Academic Affairs, or the hard work of the faculty in working with my team to accomplish new levels of quality in distance education,” Moyer shared. “Our instructional designers and learning technologists go above and beyond every day to ensure we are making a positive impact in the online environment, and I am proud to be their leader.”