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Editorial process

Behind the scenes
of ۴ý
Connect®

Creating a blog isn't easy, and it isn't quick. (At least not if you want to do it well.) At ۴ý, we strive to create content that is relevant, informative and inspiring to our audience of lifelong learners. And while all that sounds good on paper, the process is admittedly involved. Here, we pull back the curtain on how we do what we do.

The big idea

To be fair, there are a lot of big ideas, and they come from all over the University. We consider everyone, from ways our degree programs can serve as stepping stones for reaching educational goals, to career advice to help in the job hunt, to alumni stories that inspire everyone to keep striving.

Then we make sure we commit ourselves to creating the highest quality content possible. How? Read on.

The process


Qualified authors

Our robust network of professional writers and industry veterans is just that: real people who have honed their craft over the course of years. Some are leaders in their fields, others are expert researchers. By cultivating strong writers from diverse backgrounds, we can responsibly and authoritatively cover topics that help readers pursue their educational and career goals.


In-depth research

To create accurate and up-to-date content, our writers:

  • 𱹾government datafrom the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and related sources to ensure that statistics, especially around employment data, are both current and factual.
  • ٳܻscholarly sourcesand news journals to understand the conversation around a topic.
  • Speak tosubject matter expertsfrom ۴ý and beyond to input a relevant industry perspective.
  • AI is a powerful tool in research and content development. As with any new tool, however, it must be handled expertly and with transparency. That’s why we require full disclosure from any writer who uses AI during content production so that we may double-check for accuracy and originality.


Editing and review process

We leverage our staff’sextensive and diverse editorial experienceto make sure every article is coherent and informed.

The three-step review process includes:

  1. Two, sometimes three, rounds of edits to ensure quality and readability
  2. Review by subject matter experts to ensure each article is accurate and relevant
  3. Copyediting (no one likes a typo)

When it comes to our subject matter experts, the college deans have experience and knowledge you can’t find anywhere else. But it isn’t just deans. Alongside the deans, we work closely with fellow subject matter experts in pedagogy, career services, financial aid, student services and accreditation, they lead an editorial advisory committee comprised of their team members that review all of our content with the same eye for detail and accuracy that they apply to our curricula, career tools and student support offerings.


The reward

We told you it wasn't easy or quick to create a blog. But it is possible. Once this process wraps up, we are ready to post. And we do it every day. Why? To inform, engage and delight the people we care the most about: you.

Editorial advisory committee

Meet the department leads of our editorial advisory committee.

bronson ledbetter

Bronson Ledbetter, MBA

Vice President, Student Services and Financial Operations

Bronson Ledbetter heads up such departments as the financial aid processing center, technical advisory committee, repayment management and career services. He also oversees the student-facing advisement teams.


Bronson Ledbetter, MBA

Christina Neider

Christina Neider, EdD

Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Christina Neider’s career spans more than 30 years in academia, healthcare and the U.S. Air Force. She has held several academic leadership roles at ۴ý, and she is the Vice President of membership for the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Christina Neider, EdD

raelene brooks

Raelene Brooks

Dean, College of Nursing

Dr. Raelene Brooks has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and practiced extensively in the areas of ICU, trauma and critical care. Her publications include a focus on nursing education, critical care and diversity, equity and inclusion.She is a leader in creating, guiding and launching innovative curriculum.

Raelene Brooks

hinrich eylers

Hinrich Eylers, PhD, PE, MBA

Vice Provost for Academic Operations and Doctoral Studies

Prior to joining the University in 2009, Dr. Eylers spent 15 years in environmental engineering consulting, sustainability consulting, teaching and business and technology program management. He was amongst the first to be licensed as a professional environmental engineer in Arizona.

Hinrich Eylers, PhD, PE, MBA

pamela roggeman

Pamela M. Roggeman, EdD

Dean of the College of Education

Pamela Roggeman has spent over a decade in higher education teacher preparation in both the public and private sector. Her experience has included national partnerships that help to advance thought leadership in the field of education. Dr. Roggeman also serves as the President of the Arizona Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Pamela M. Roggeman, EdD

briana houlihan

Briana Houlihan, MBA, G-PM

Dean, College of General Studies

For more than 20 years, Briana Houlihan has strongly advocated for first-generation and underserved working learners. She has made it her mission to enhance the skills focus within general education coursework to bring value to undergraduate students from day one of their program.

Briana Houlihan, MBA, G-PM

eric ryan

Eric Ryan, MBA

Senior Director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs

Eric Ryan is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a member of the National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services. He has dedicated his professional life to serving military-affiliated students at the University since 2005.

Eric Ryan, MBA

jessica roper

Jessica Roper, MBA

Director of Career Services

Jessica Roper is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in leadership within higher education. She has honed her expertise in student services and career development and is passionate about helping others discover and refine their skills.

Jessica Roper, MBA

kathryn

Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP

Dean, College of Business and IT

Kathryn Uhles has served ۴ý in a variety of roles since 2006. Prior to joining ۴ý, Kathryn taught fifth grade to underprivileged youth in ۴ý.

Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP

kelly hermann

Kelly Hermann, MSED

Vice President, Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion

Kelly Hermann leads services to students with disabilities, digital accessibility initiatives and the Office of Educational Equity. She chairs the special interest group for online learning and distance education for the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and the accessibility task force for 1Ed Tech and frequently presents on the topic for AHEAD, OLC, WCET and other national organizations.

Kelly Hermann, MSED

marc booker

Marc Booker, PhD

Vice Provost, Strategy

Dr. Marc Booker has more than two decades of experience working with online and distance education students at the post-secondary level. He currently oversees critical path academic initiatives to improve the student experience. Dr. Booker is a regular speaker, author and contributor to national higher education associations.

Marc Booker, PhD

mcceil johnson

McCeil Johnson, JD

Vice President, Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

McCeil Johnson has 20 years of professional experience in the areas of compliance, diversity and legal affairs. She currently provides leadership and management of the University’s institutional and college-specific accreditation and regulatory initiatives.



McCeil Johnson, JD

chris conway

Chris Conway

Director of Financial Education Initiatives and Repayment Management

Chris Conway works with departments across the University to provide resources that allow students to make more informed financial decisions. She is also an adjunct faculty member for the Everyday Finance and Economics course at the University, and she chairs the National Council of Higher Education Resources College Access and Success Committee. Conway is committed to helping college students make the right financial decisions that prevent future collection activity.

Chris Conway

eve billings

Eve Krahe Billings, PhD, EDAC

Dean, Academic Innovation and Evaluation

Eve Billings focuses her work on the successful facilitation of heart-centric environments where innovation can occur. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Healthcare Executives and others. She is a member of the American Association of University Administrators, and she sits on the Board of Directors of the Hopewell Museum in Paris, Kentucky, where she and her family reside.

Eve Krahe Billings, PhD, EDAC

doris savron

Doris Savron, MBA

Vice Provost– Colleges, Assessment, and Curriculum

Doris Savron's career spans 30 years in leadership positions in healthcare, information technology and academia. As vice provost, she oversees strategy for degree, certificate and course offerings, curriculum design and student learning outcomes. She was recently appointed to the board of directors for Career Connectors where she works to empower career seekers and organizations with market insight and high-caliber coaching.

Doris Savron, MBA

mark johannsson

Mark Jóhannsson, DHSc, MPH

Dean, College of Health Professions

Dr. Jóhannsson has a career spanning over 35 years of healthcare management, public health practice, higher education administration, teaching and clinical/behavioral research within corporate, community and academic settings. He has served as both an educational and keynote speaker, and he has been published in a variety of peer-reviewed and periodic literature.

Mark Jóhannsson, DHSc, MPH