From
the time of her first employment in adult and continuing education, Marcia
Bankirer has been a strong advocate for using media and technology for
their powers to reach and engage students in learning. Her research interests
have taken the path toward faculty development and the hows and whys of
adoption of innovations.
She has been instrumental in the development of several alternative/off-campus degree programs, possessing the ability to see the big picture and still assure that all the details of program and course delivery are covered. She has done this by applying continuous process improvement techniques to empower staff to find the best methods to meet needs.
Her service on the Board of Directors of the National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA) began when she chaired a task force that studied the Association's use of technology to carry out its business. This is an example of her visionary talents as the recommendations called for technologies that were not yet readily available to member institutions. As the technology has changed, all recommendations have been implemented. She served as President of NUCEA in 1993-1994, the youngest person and the fourth woman ever to hold that office.