The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) and Bluum were proud to surprise Notre Dame of Maryland Professor Ryan Schaaf today as its 2022-2023 Outstanding HigherEd Award Winner. For over 25 years, Schaaf has been a beacon of inspiration to both his colleagues and students at prestigious institutions such as Notre Dame of Maryland University and Johns Hopkins University. His leadership and unwavering commitment to promoting the effective use of technology in education have set them apart as a true higher education leader.
“Always eager to expand his knowledge and stay abreast of the latest trends, Ryan consistently seeks out new information and professional learning opportunities,” MSET President Brian Cook shared. “Ryan’s thirst for growth and continuous improvement is evident in his willingness to present at numerous regional and national conferences.”
However, Schaff’s contributions extend far beyond the conference circuit. Through his extensive authorship of seven books, this individual has shared their wealth of knowledge and resources with educators inside and outside of Maryland. His texts, covering topics such as digital-age learning, game-based learning, and education reform.
“As the chair of the Information and Education Technology Committee at Notre Dame of Maryland University, [Schaff] this visionary leader has played a pivotal role in promoting effective policy development and prioritizing budgetary requests for innovative technologies. [Schaaf’s] guidance has brought about the successful implementation of Brightspace, a new learning management system, and has empowered faculty and students to embrace digital tools and enhance their learning experiences,” Lisa Pallett, assistant dean and association professor at Notre Dame of Maryland University, read as she presented Shaaf’s award today.
During the challenging times brought about by the pandemic, Schaaf’s leadership and expertise shone brightly. He selflessly dedicated himself to assisting colleagues in the transition from face-to-face to online learning. Through countless instructional sessions, he mentored and trained his peers, ensuring they were equipped with the necessary digital tools and skills for effective instruction in a virtual environment.
“MSET is very blessed to expand its Awards Program this year to include a HigherEd Award. The amount of high octane candidates was really special, but even more special is how humble they are about their work. They often don’t even realize the impact and the longevity of that impact in their university community and that is no different with Ryan Schaaf,” MSET Awards Co-Chair Chris Cuppett shared. “We are truly blessed to get the opportunity to learn about the work of so many high-level professors throughout the awards program.”
Schaaf will be honored throughout the upcoming year by receiving opportunities to participate in MSET business meetings, serve as featured speakers, and have his work highlighted. Plus, Schaaf received a banner to display at Notre Dame of Maryland University, a complimentary registration for the upcoming Common Ground Conference, and a one-year paid MSET Membership.
“MSET wants to give a special thank you our team who scored each of the entries,” Tracy Schoene, MSET’s Awards co-chair, shared about the team who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make these awards happen. “We are very fortunate to have dedicated members who are willing to volunteer their time in the Organization.”
About Outstanding Leader Award
In partnership with Bluum, the HigherEd Award is given to an outstanding full-time or part-time faculty member, dean, department chair, or president in the state of Maryland who supports MSET’s mission of advancing excellence in teaching and leading with technology. This person's position can (but not required) be a combination of teaching and administrative duties.
