Mingzhen Bao, PhD

Dr. Mingzhen Bao is the Associate Dean and Professor in the College of Integrative Learning (COIL) at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). She received her PhD in Linguistics with a focus on Phonetics and Second Language Acquisition from the University of Florida. Her Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics is from Zhejiang University, China. Dr. Bao has been a member of the UAGC team since 2013, where she has served as Program Chair, Academic Department Chair, and Associate Dean. Aligned with the COIL mission, Dr. Bao champions diverse educational pathways, striving to remove barriers to entry for all students. Her oversight of the General Education curriculum reflects a deep dedication to inclusive and meaningful learning experiences. Dr. Bao is committed to empowering students with essential life skills, curiosity, and transformative knowledge. Her educational philosophy focuses on fostering support, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging, ensuring students embark on a lifelong learning journey.

Selected List of Publications

1. Bao, M-Z., Robinson, J. & Pritts, N. (submitted) Impact of just-in-time faculty-student interaction on general education course success.
2. Bao, M-Z., Shehadeh, H., Robinson, J., & Rief, A. (submitted). From pilot to practice: Scaling centralized synchronous learning across General Education to advance educational equity.
3. Bao, M-Z., Robinson, J., Shehadeh, H., & Rief, A. (submitted). Centralized synchronous learning model: A framework for real-time learning facilitation and student success.
4. Bao, M-Z., Bormann, T., Dunn, A., Henderson, M., Kilby, S., Kuruc, T., & Lauer, T. (in press). UAGC Academy: How a failed initiative shaped a successful approach to retention equity. Gateways to Completion Anthologies.
5. Bao, M-Z. & Ferrell, T. (2022). Engaging first-year online adult students through meaningful curriculum and supportive instruction. The Studying and Self-Regulated Learning Special Interest Group Times Magazine, 5(1). Retrieved from https://ssrlsite.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/aera-ssrl-sig-times-magazine-january.2022.pdf
6. Bao, M-Z. (2020, November 3). Merging the classroom and the real world. Thought Leaders Blog [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.ashfordtlc.com/single-post/merging-the-classroom-and-the-real-world
7. Bao, M-Z., Selhorst, A., Taylor-Moore, T., & Dilworth, A. (2019). Enhanced teaching requirements: A case study of instructional growth on student academic performance and satisfaction in an online classroom. Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence, 3(2), 4-20.
8. Bao, M-Z., Selhorst, A., Taylor-Moore, T., & Dilworth, A. (2018). An analysis of enhanced faculty engagement on student success and satisfaction in an online classroom. International Journal of Contemporary Education, 1(2), 25-32.
9. Selhorst, A., Bao, M-Z., Williams, L., & Klein, E. (2017). The effect of online discussion board frequency on student success in adult learners. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 20(4).
10. Selhorst, A., Williams, L., & Bao, M-Z. (2017). The effect of transparent instructor guidelines on student success and satisfaction in online classrooms: Curriculum design and effective online learning. The International Journal of Adult, Community and Professional Learning, 24 (2), 1-13.
11. Bao, M-Z., Taylor Moore, T., Tinianow, D. & Nideffer, J. (2017). Enhancing teaching and learning through technology: A comparative study of YouSeeU integration in oral communication-oriented courses. The International Journal of Technologies in Learning, 24 (1), 15-23.
12. Riaz, S., Bao, M-Z., Zorn-Arnold, B., Weitl, J. & Kirwan, J. (2015). Do students use etextbooks meaningfully? Lessons learned from four online university courses. Journal of Modern Education Review, 5(10), 951–961.