Barbara Zorn, PhD
Sr. Associate Dean
Biography
Dr. Barb Zorn applies her expertise in biological sciences, statistics, business, and educational leadership to enhance the curricular success of the leadership degrees in the Global College of Integrative Learning at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). Since joining the University in 2011, Dr. Zorn has served in multiple roles, including Associate Vice President of Graduate Programs and Professional Accreditation, Associate Dean, Department Chair, Program Chair, and Professor.
Her research interests span topics across plant ecology, economics, and student success outcomes in the online environment. Ecological research questions focus on plant population dynamics, mechanisms of coexistence, and evolutionary stable strategies using a game theoretic approach. Recent pilots in online student success tested whether ‘Virtual Learning Communities’ improved student success metrics. Not only did student performance improve, students also reported higher levels of learning enjoyment and lower stress in courses that included a ‘Virtual Learning Community’.
Prior to joining UAGC, Dr. Zorn served as research associate at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and as a faculty lecturer and thesis advisor for the graduate program in Plant Biology and Conservation at Northwestern University.