Kathleen MacDonald SpruteDr. Katie Sprute is a distinguished leader with two decades of expertise in the fields of education, project management, and leadership. She earned her Ph.D. in General Psychology, specializing in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, from Grand Canyn University. Dr. Sprute serves as a Senior Faculty Chair in the Department of Online Teaching and Learning at Grand Canyon University. Additionally, she is the co-owner of a small business and actively engages in community volunteering, consulting, and research activities. Her research interests include structural empowerment, job embeddedness, the application of AI in higher education, and fostering community among remote employees. Dr. Sprute has contributed significantly to the academic community with publications such as “Structural Empowerment: The Next Step for University Support of Online Adjunct Faculty” and “Becoming One Faculty in Pursuit of Student Success”. Her recent academic presentations highlight her commitment to innovative solutions in online higher education and faculty engagement, with topics like “Retaining the Future: Exploring Innovative Solutions for Online Higher Education Student Retention” and “Strategies to Increase Remote Faculty Engagement Via Intentional Community Building”. Dr. Sprute's blend of practical leadership and scholarly work continues to make her a vital force in shaping the future of online teaching and learning. Read More Read Less