Our mission is to help colleges and universities scale their online programs and courses, and provide value-added instructional support at a low cost, which enables more students to obtain a college education.
Commitment Academic Standards and Accreditation
Building Relationships
Focusing on Student Success
Moral and Professional Integrity
Flexibility to University Needs
As a lifelong learner, I enjoyed my personal college experiences and I took my education seriously. From my own experiences going to college in a traditional setting, taking graduate classes on weekends – both on campus and online – and taking doctoral courses completely online, I gained a deep appreciation for the various ways colleges and universities meet the needs of 21st Century students – particularly adult learners.
We started Instructional Connections with the goal of helping colleges and universities grow, expand, and scale programs; thereby, giving more students an opportunity to get an education. We pioneered the use of online teaching assistants, AKA “Academic Coaches,” in college programs and courses. In addition, we have created other low-cost services that help institutions meet their goals.
In the day and age where costs for higher education continue to rise and increasingly smaller amounts of students get a chance to go to school, Instructional Connections saves universities substantially, while providing services that enable both high quality and scale for online college courses and programs.
Earning a college degree is an important life goal for a student and Instructional Connections’ coaching and mentoring helps students, faculty, and colleges achieve it.
— Bob Williams, President/CEO
Bob has over 35 years’ experience in leadership positions, beginning as an armor officer in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Major. Bob’s work experiences have been in transportation, logistics, operations, and online higher education. Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from West Virginia University, a graduate degree in Leadership and a Liberal Studies from Duquesne University, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. Bob has over 13 years direct experience with four high-growth organizations building and sustaining instructional support for over 200,000 students.
s Chief Information Officer at Instructional Connections, Diane (DeDe) Meek oversees the organization’s database and billing systems—critical infrastructure that ensures seamless service delivery for university partners. She brings over a decade of leadership experience in higher education, having served as Dean of Academic Affairs at several for-profit, proprietary institutions. In addition to her academic leadership, DeDe has held management roles across diverse industries and contributed to technology initiatives at companies including Microsoft. Her cross-sector experience informs a strategic, systems-oriented approach to program delivery, integration, and partner support. DeDe holds a bachelor’s degree from William Woods College and a graduate degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
As Chief Administrative Officer at Instructional Connections, Alex leads recruiting, human resources, process improvement, management, and business development with a focus on operational excellence and strategic growth. She plays a central role in identifying and onboarding prospective university partners, guiding contract negotiations, and fostering mutually beneficial relationships that align with each partner’s institutional goals. Alex brings a unique blend of experience from both the healthcare and hospitality sectors. She previously served on the Network Nursing Education Team at the Seton Family of Hospitals in Austin (Ascension Seton), where she oversaw the launch and operations of the Clinical Education Center at Brackenridge—Central Texas’ largest clinical education facility and a flagship collaboration between Ascension Seton and regional academic institutions. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles in the hospitality industry, specializing in revenue and front office management. She also served on local task force teams responsible for opening new properties, gaining hands-on experience in operational launches and team coordination. Her expertise spans human resources, strategic recruiting and onboarding, and cross-functional operations—positioning her as a key architect of Instructional Connections’ growth and long-standing client partnerships.
As Chief Academic Officer at Instructional Connections, Dr. Harriet Watkins serves as a strategic liaison between the organization and its partner institutions. She oversees research and publications, quantifying institutional, programmatic, and student success tied to the implementation of the Academic Coach Model. In her role as Small Grant Administrator, she also leads internal funding initiatives that support innovation and evidence-based practice. Dr. Watkins is actively engaged in national organizations dedicated to advancing online education, including USDLA and TxDLA, and is a frequent presenter at conferences across the country. With over 17 years of experience in adult and higher education, she brings deep expertise in online learning, academic partnerships, and program development. Her previous leadership roles include Director of Online Learning for the University of Arkansas System eVersity and Manager of Academic Partnerships at the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds an Ed.D. in Distance Learning from Regent University and an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence in online education.
As Chief Strategy Officer at Instructional Connections, Dr. Cato oversees Operations and Partner Relations, guiding the Operations Team and fostering strong, enduring relationships with university partners. She ensures operational excellence while strategically expanding online program and course portfolios that integrate Academic Coaches. Her work aligns support services with evolving academic strategies and enrollment goals, helping institutions scale with quality and responsiveness. Jacquelyn has served in various roles within higher education for over 15 years. She holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, a graduate degree in Biological Sciences from Saint Joseph College, and a bachelor’s degree in Science from Florida State University. Jacquelyn’s strengths include excellent communication skills, effective training techniques, online course development, and various Learning Management Systems administration.
John Forrester cultivates relationships with prospective university partners at Instructional Connections, prioritizing exceptional customer service and long-term collaboration. He holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington and brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience across the hospitality and sports industries. John spent the majority of his career with Marriott International, where he earned multiple accolades for exceeding expectations with the company’s top strategic accounts across sectors such as sports, associations, and non-profit. He also supports fundraising efforts for the Dallas Stars Foundation, setting a season sales record through his work with 50/50 raffle sales. With a background in high-touch client service, strategic outreach, and brand representation, John plays a pivotal role in advancing the Instructional Connections brand and promoting the Academic Coach Model. His relationship-driven approach helps institutions understand the value of scalable, student-centered support, positioning Instructional Connections as a trusted partner in online education.
As Vice President of Operations at Instructional Connections, James McLaughlin leads the teams that work directly with university partners, fostering strong, collaborative relationships with Deans, Program Chairs, and faculty. His leadership ensures the seamless implementation of the Academic Coach Model and the consistent delivery of high-quality instructional support across diverse programs. Like many members of the operations management team, James began his journey with Instructional Connections as an Academic Coach. His advancement within the organization reflects a deep understanding of student support and a steadfast commitment to operational excellence as the company has grown and evolved.