Our Staff

John Shaheen founded the Distance Learning Consortium in 1996 as the online movement was just gathering steam.  John has 30 years of experience in the private career school industry as a school director, owner, and consultant.  Experience includes 15 years overseeing a Title IV eligible school with fifty locations in fifteen different states.

As a member of ACCET’s Distance Learning Task Force, John helped draft the original accreditation standards for ACCET accredited schools seeking approval to offer programs via Interactive Distance Learning. In further service to the ACCET membership, John served as a volunteer on the ACCET Accrediting Commission for nine years, from 1999 – 2007, as a Commissioner, Vice Chair, Chair, and Past Chair.

The distance learning approach espoused by the Distance Learning Consortium focuses on curriculum and students, not technology. It is an approach that yields high student satisfaction and retention. John has presented and moderated distance learning workshops and panels at the annual ACCET conference for over 10 years.

John earned his Bachelors degree from Georgetown University and Masters degree from Central Michigan University.

Janice Hoover has extensive experience in course design, both in on-line education and in traditional on-site courses. She has been the principal course designer for the American Institute for Paralegal Studies since 1998, migrating all of the school’s traditional course materials to an on-line format.

In addition, Janice has designed instruction for Boys & Girls’ Clubs of America, Cingular Wireless, Kennesaw State University Continuing Education Department, and Kaplan Higher Education.

In 2007, Janice was selected to chair a committee on distance education for the American Association for Paralegal Educators (AAfPE). Her committee’s presentation at the 2007 national meeting opened the door for further discussions about the role of distance education in paralegal education.

Annie Fisher has worked in career education since 1987, in roles ranging from Dean of Students to School Director. In these roles, Annie has trained and supervised Admissions, Placement, and Academic staff, for both residential and online students.

Annie has 12 years of experience training and supervising Admissions staff working internet leads for distance learning students. Lead conversion, student retention, and placement strategies for online students are her specialities.

Annie has a Bachelors degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a paralegal certificate from the American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Inc.