Executive Director of Online Learning
Dr. Sam Jay
Please contact Dr. Sam Jay with any questions about the Office of Online Learning’s initiatives and projects by emailing him at [email protected].
Senior Manager of Online Enrollment
Allie Dirks
I am responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of new and current MSU Denver students who major in any of our 30+ online programs. As an alumna of MSU Denver, I know that the only reason I am successful today is because of the experiences I had as a student in MSU Denver community and work hard to make sure new online Roadrunners have a similar experience starting from the moment they apply.
My 10 years of experience specializing in program growth and enrollment development in higher education have allowed me to create initiatives and develop tactics that have led to a more than 200% increase in applications and an over 8-fold growth in the headcount of MSU Denver students in online majors over the last 5 years.
Online learning is a passion of mine because it is the truest form of accessible education and I know firsthand that accessibility is a challenge for many families and individuals. If you need enrollment support for online students in any of your online programs, I promise to listen and help you find and implement good solutions.
Email Allie at [email protected].
Online Enrollment Specialist
Kayla Warrens
Hello, my name is Kayla Warrens (she, her, hers) and I am the new Online Enrollment Specialist. I am originally from Florida and have lived in Colorado for 9 years. I am a first-generation college graduate. I started my educational journey by earning my A.A at Daytona Beach Community College and transferred to Flager College in St. Augustine where I graduated with my B.A. in English with a minor in Education. I then attended University of The Rockies where I earned my M.A. in Human Servies, with a minor in Non-Profit Management. I have worked in higher education for the past 9 years in recruitment and retention of online learners and spent 4 years prior to that living internationally in South Korea, Thailand, and Guatemala as an ESL teacher. I am a passionate advocate for access to education for all, and I love to be part of the ‘how to school’ process that I figured out during my own educational journey. I’m excited to work with the unique population of students here at MSU Denver and I hope to provide a warm and welcoming experience as they find the educational path that works best for them. Outside of work I go adventuring with my 3-year-old daughter and our 2 dogs, crochet, garden, and take classes in anything I can- most recently on how to make sushi.
Email Kayla at [email protected].
Senior Manager of Student Services
Bridget Wetzel
I lead initiatives driving student success in online programs, blending passion with collaboration to empower students to achieve their goals. As MSU Denver’s Staff Senate Secretary, I champion staff voices, encouraging inclusivity campus-wide.
With a master’s in higher education and a bachelor’s in communication, I bring over a decade of experience, including recruitment, event planning, and program management knowledge. I have worked in the Office of Online Learning for the past four year and developed the Online Student Success Coaching program in 2022. Since its inception, we’ve boosted persistence rates by 8% and tripled student appointments, leading to an overall increase in online student retention.
As a MSU Denver alumna, transfer student, and adult learner, I’m driven by personal experience to support our diverse student community. Connect with me and I promise to bring a collaborative spirit and big-picture ideas to drive retention efforts across the University.
Email Bridget at [email protected].
Senior Online Student Success Coach
Meredith Moore
Hey there! I’m Meredith Moore, your Online Student Success Coach at the Office of Online Learning here at MSU Denver. From the moment I stepped into this role, I knew I had found my calling in supporting students on their academic journeys.
My passion for education runs deep—it’s fueled by a vision where every MSU Denver student thrives. I believe in creating not just success, but meaningful connections that empower you to reach your full potential.
With an M.A. in Communication Studies and extensive experience in teaching and coaching, I bring a wealth of expertise to our team. Certified as an Academic Life Coach, I specialize in enhancing student retention through personalized coaching, guiding you in goal setting, motivation, relationship building, and academic skills development.
I’ve played a pivotal role in developing a robust online student success coaching program that offers tailored support and essential resources. More than that, I’m here to promise you this: I’m dedicated to your growth and academic excellence. Whether it’s overcoming challenges or honing your skills, I’m committed to helping you succeed. I can’t wait to help you achieve your academic goals, and we’ll make a difference in your educational experience. Let’s embark on this journey together!
Email Meredith at [email protected].
Senior Manager of Online Program Development
KC Coburn
I started my career in higher education as an Instructional Design team member at UH Manoa (Go, Bows!). Because of my years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development, I was later hired to grow enrollment for flagging degree programs. My in-bound marketing initiative resulted in 42% enrollment growth in the COE’s SPED program and over-all COE enrollment growth of 14%. I left Manoa to run my own digital marketing agency and started at MSU Denver after selling the agency and moving to Denver in 2019.
I love being able to support initiatives within the Office of Online Learning because I can see the impact that the growth of online programs is having on the students this University serves. As a working adult completing my degree in my 40s, I could not have graduated if I had been required to come to campus. If you reach out to me for marketing support for an established, new, or emerging online program I promise to do the research and work necessary to support your goals.
Email KC at [email protected].