Faculty Qualifications

One of the most important benefits you receive when you choose IWU's online distance learning for your BSBIS is the quality of professors and facilitators who teach you. You have the opportunity to learn from teachers located all over the country rather than just those at your local college and at a comparable program cost.

The facilitators that comprise IWU's online distance learning BSBIS program have unique outlooks on the business world because their experience is so varied. You don't hear just one point of view, you hear many, and you learn to evaluate your own knowledge level and beliefs. This is the keystone of leadership. When used with deliberation and focus, online distance learning is your path to distinguish yourself from the competition.

IWU's BSBIS facilitators are innovators and leading specialists in their chosen fields and add that expertise to the BSBIS curriculum. They are successful online distance learning teachers because they share their passion for their work with their students. Many are also returning students, and empathize with adult learners.

Most importantly, your facilitators embrace the online distance learning environment. They want to teach online. What's more, many chose online education when they earned their advanced degrees. Your teachers have a critical understanding of what you need to do to succeed, not just as an online distance learning student, but as a business information specialist.

Current Business Program Facilitators:

Marita Ellixson (BIS Technology, Visual Basic, JAVA, Database Systems)
Ms. Ellixson is currently a Computer Scientist for Eglin A.F. Base. Her work includes IT consulting, and she is a former Media Dev Editor for the infamous ".for Dummies" Press. She holds a BS - Computer Science, and an MBA.

Dr. Chris Leland (Professional Communications, Marketing)
Dr. Leland is a PhD in Org Communications & Political Communications. He has provided consulting and training to Wal-Mart, Koch Industries, J&J, Nations Bank, as well as city and state governments. Work has taken him into the political area, where he spent time as a political campaign consultant and a speechwriter.

Cheryl Bann (Self-Management, Personnel Management, Marketing, Org Behavior)
Ms. Bann's has 30 years business experience, includes working in research at General Mills, marketing an investment business, and the owning of a small business. She has spent over 30 years participating in overseas assignments for USAID (working in ten African and Eastern-block countries). She has served as president of four boards and currently sits on ten. Ms. Bann has her MBA and is pursuing her PhD.