Current Position and Past Experience
Annie Taylor is currently Senior Assistant Dean for Distance Learning and Director of the Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Pennsylvania State University. She joined Penn State in 1993 as a Program Planning Associate and has held several positions throughout her career there, including Instructional Designer, Senior Instructional Designer and Assistant Dean for Distance Learning, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Previously, she was an Instructional Design Specialist, State-wide Educational Services at University of South Dakota.
Having worked in the field of distance education since 1991, Annie’s focus has been on learning design and faculty development. As the Senior Assistant Dean for Distance Learning and Director of the Dutton Institute, Annie guides the college’s strategic vision and planning for online learning. She works with various stakeholders to plan and implement online degree and certificate programs tailored to the needs of working adult professionals while ensuring support for residential teaching and learning in the college.
Annie also serves on numerous University committees focused on strategic planning, policies and procedures related to the University’s distance learning initiatives and served as an elected member of the Penn State University Faculty Senate from 2007 to 2023. She regularly works with University colleagues to create resources for faculty teaching online and shares her work as a frequent public speaker and published author.
Education, Honors and Achievements
Annie Taylor holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Dakota and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Vermont.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
Outside of her professional life, Annie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, feeding her creative needs through various hobbies like baking and crafts, staying fit through cycling (she says it helps counteract the baking hobby!) and indulging her organizing passion. Annie also volunteers in her community, currently through service on the Board of Governors for the Centre County Historical Society and on the Board of Representatives for WPSU, her local PBS and NPR Member station.
