Old Dominion University has appointed Nina Rodriguez Gonser as vice president for digital learning. Gonser, who was serving in the role on an interim basis, will continue to lead the newly created division and build on ODU’s legacy as a leader in online education.
Gonser started at ODU in 2017 as director of finance and operations in the Batten College of Engineering. She went on to become associate vice president for academic affairs, a position that gave her extensive knowledge of ODU’s prior distance learning operation. She shared her expertise as a representative on the ODUOnline Task Force and leader of the ODUGlobal Working Group before starting in her current role.
“Please join me in expressing our sincere appreciation to Vice President Rodriguez Gonser for her continued willingness to lead our digital learning enterprise,” said President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “With our storied history and continued advancements, I am confident – more than ever before – that ODU will remain a leading provider in digital learning across the Commonwealth and beyond!”
Before coming to ODU, Gonser served in several leadership roles in the areas of financial and academic program management and has worked to solve complex infrastructural challenges at both private and public institutions of higher education. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance with a minor in business analytics and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in human resources from Temple University.
“In taking the helm of the University’s digital learning enterprise, Nina has embraced the rich history of our prior work, the thoughtful deliberations of the task force and the individual expertise of her talented team,” said Helen Crompton, Ph.D., associate professor of instructional technology. “I have been thoroughly impressed with her willingness to find solutions and pursue an ambitious – but attainable – agenda, thereby ensuring that Old Dominion is an online leader in both educational quality and student outcomes now and well into the future.”
In her time as interim vice president, Gonser oversaw a comprehensive rebranding initiative for ODU’s distance learning program, including the development of a new logo and marketing strategy. Other changes included incorporating virtual learning environments and implementing a digital twin of the campus to provide a more immersive and inclusive experience for online students.
“Over the years, I have had the privilege to observe Nina’s professionalism and capacity to lead and manage complex tasks,” said Austin Agho, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. “I have been impressed by her attention to detail and ability to work with administrators and faculty to proactively review and adopt best practices aimed at improving financial and budgeting processes in the Division of Academic Affairs. Nina’s appointment is a direct result of her intelligence, leadership and work. I look forward to collaborating with her to achieve the goals of ODUGlobal.”