EDUCATION
| Ph.D. | Educational Leadership, Policy and Technology Studies, Concentration in Instructional Technology | University of Alabama |
| M.S.Ed | Instructional Design and Technology | Samford University |
| B.S. | Psychology – Youth Counseling, Summa Cum Laude | Samford University |
AWARDS AND HONORS
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Joffre and Zadie B. Whisenton Award (Awarded to an African American graduate student receiving a doctoral degree with the highest standing and graduating in current year in honor of the first black students to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama) |
| 2022 | Most Outstanding Graduate Student – Research in Instructional Technology Ph.D. |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Mindfulness among college students
K-12 STEM
Culture Learning and Technology
Hybrid and Cohort experiences in instructional technology in Ph.D. Programs
HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS
- Forrest, B. B. (2022). Qualitative descriptive exploration of college students’ opinions toward and experiences with participating in mindfulness programs on a college campus. Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2690991686).
- Whiteside, H., Davidson, S.G., Combs, D.D., Forrest, B.B., Lakin, J.M., & Abu Qahouq, J. (2024, October). WIP: A first draft on learning about Second-Life Batteries retired from electric vehicles for middle school informal STEM spaces. Conference proceedings for Frontiers in Education 2024, Washington, DC.
- Benson, A., et al. (2023). Culture, Learning, and Technology and the Promise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In Christopher T. Miller (ED.). AECT at 100, A legacy of leadership (Vol. 6., 533-557). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004682580
- Rice, M.L., Beavers, B., McNeill, L. et al. (2022) The Cohort Experience in a Hybrid Instructional Technology Ph.D. Program. TechTrends. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00745-6
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / ACTIVITIES
CERTIFICATIONS
- Quality Matters Teaching Online Certificate
- Peer Reviewer for Online Courses – Blackboard LMS
MEMBERSHIP
- Alabama Education Association
- VP of Communications of Association – Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
- Society for Information Technology Education (SITE)
- Leadership Hoover, Class 2020
- Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Birmingham, AL Chapter
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Alabama Golf Association – Board Member
- Hoover Service Club – 2nd VP – Board Member
- STAIR of Birmingham 2017 – Tutor
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Learners should enjoy an environment where they can freely share information with their peers in a collaborative environment while taking the initiative to develop learning strategies from knowledge gained from previous experience.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Bernadette Beavers-Forrest is an Assistant Professor in the Instructional Technology program. She holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership with a concentration in Instructional Technology from the University of Alabama, as well as an M.S.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology from Samford University. She is also the VP of Communications for the CLT Division of The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT).
Past leadership roles in human resources have afforded Dr. Forrest great opportunities to work and partner with people from various racial, social, gender, and economic backgrounds in the retail, law, healthcare, and academic environments.
Dr. Forrest mentors service men and women transitioning from the armed services to private enterprise.
She is married with three children and an avid golfer who enjoys international traveling, reading, and gardening.