James L Van Roekel, MA, MLS, ObSB, is an accomplished professional in higher education with over 25 years of experience as a faculty member and administrator in Academic and Student Affairs. He specializes in grant writing, media design, web design, faculty development, student development, leadership, and teaching. He has a passion for investigating the utilization of free and off-the-shelf hardware and software for developing multimedia and digital applications in student learning and web-based broadcasting. His contributions to the field are evident in over 30 publications and granted funding of $725,000.00 to engage faculty and students in current and emerging technologies.

He is a member of EDUCAUSE, Infocomm International, and ACUI, where he serves as ACUI Technology Community of Practice Coordinator, ACUI Continuing Contributor, and on ACUI Writers Support Group. He has a strong educational background, having studied MLS, Library Science at Emporia State University, BA, History; Religion at University of Sioux Falls, and MA, History at The University of South Dakota.

Van Roekel's signature strengths are Intellection, Consistency, Ideation, Maximizer, and Belief. He has held various positions in Sam Houston State University, including Director of Student Affairs Technology, Associate Director and Assistant Director of Lowman Student Center, and Director of Academic Instructional Technology and Distance Learning. He was formerly an Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University and Western Illinois University. Other former roles include Production/Post-Production and Digital Media Associate at SLIM Globnet and TA at Emporia State University.