Inspiration comes in many disguises. During my tenure as the Education Services
Officer at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete, Greece, I was inspired by men and
women of the armed forces engaged in education with few local resources and under less
than ideal circumstances. Thus began my journey to learn what more I could do to assist
these distance learners and others in similar situations.
As an education specialist student, I was encouraged by several faculty members
to pursue this path. Sincere thanks go to my colleagues at the University of West
Florida’s Academic Technology Center for their guidance, tips, and alignment of the stars
on several occasions. Special thanks to my committee; to John Carey for proofing each
chapter along the way and to Quincy Brown for walking me through the statistical
analyses. Much gratitude is owed to Arifa Garman who drove hours out of her way more
than once to prepare me for the preliminary exams. And last, but certainly not least, I am
grateful for my husband, Rodney Brammer, who handcrafted a work table and
bookshelves for my home office and gave me the space I needed, metaphorically and
physically, to write.