Matt Baker Named Dean of Proposed College of Outreach and Distance Education
May 19, 2008
By: John Davis
New college to give students world-wide, access to quality academic programs through
distance education.

Matt Baker, an innovator in distance education, was one of the principal architects
in the first approved distance education doctoral program in agriculture communications
in the U.S.
Officials at Texas Tech University have announced the appointment of the founding
dean for the planned College of Outreach and Distance Education.
Matt Baker, who currently serves as chairman of the Department of Agricultural Education
and Communication, has been selected from four finalists. He will complete a transition
into his new position Aug. 1.
“The College of Outreach and Distance Education will play a significant role in reaching
our goal of 40,000 students by 2020,” said Chancellor Hance. “Matt’s creativity and
knowledge will help us continue excellence in distance education and allow more students
access to our outstanding academic programs.”
At the College of Outreach and Distance Education, Baker will be responsible for
the administration of graduate and undergraduate print and electronically-delivered
distance learning courses and programs, off-campus instruction and instructional
sites, and non-credit outreach programs. Texas Tech offers more than 30 outreach
and distance education programs.
“I’m looking forward to what lies ahead,” said Baker. “It’s a great honor to be invited
to work with this extraordinary group of professionals.”
Baker earned his doctorate in agricultural education in 1990 from Ohio State University.
He holds both a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s in
agricultural education from Texas Tech.
At Texas Tech, Baker has overseen the growth of several of the College of Agricultural
Sciences and Natural Resources’ distance education programs. Baker specifically led
the launch of an innovative distance education program, informally known as “Doc@Distance.”
The program was developed to target a specific group of mid-career professionals
working in agriculture.
Baker was one of 35 applicants, said Bill Marcy, provost of Texas Tech University.
“Matt is truly an innovator in the area of distance education,” Marcy said. “He was
one of the principal architects in the first approved distance education doctoral
program in agriculture communications in the U.S. His commitment to teaching and
research are exemplary.
“Matt is taking over an ongoing and well-managed enterprise, the Division of Outreach
and Distance Education. We are not starting from scratch, but rather taking a successful
organization to the next level.”
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