Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services

Dr. Patricia Abrego

Director of Academic Technology
Quality Matters Coordinator
CWT 206A
956.326.2302

Dr. Abrego provides vision, leadership, and coordination in the effective use of instructional technologies used in distance education, interactive media, classroom instructional technologies, and web-based instruction. She supervises the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services staff including the instructional technology coordinators and the media services groups.

Academic Background

• Ph.D. Educational Administration, Texas A&M University, 2009
• M.S. Educational Administration, Texas A&M-Kingsville, 2001

Publications & Presentations

• Ábrego, P., Soulas, M., & Vallarta, C. A. (2024, February). From algorithms to aha moments: Exploring AI tools in curriculum and instructional design [Conference session]. TAMU System Tech Summit, Frisco, TX, United States.
• Ábrego, P., & Vallarta, C. A. (2023, March 24). Fostering a culture of quality assurance: A 12-year journey with Quality Matters [Conference session]. High Impact Practices in Higher Education Annual Conference, Kingsville, TX, United States.
• Ábrego, P., Soulas, M., & Vallarta, C. A. (2023, February 14). Artificial intelligence & ChatGPT in higher education [Presentation]. Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, United States.
• Ábrego, Patricia. (2019, October 15) “Lessons Learned and Benefits Gained: TAMIU’s QM Certification Story”, Retrieved from https://www.qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/TAMIU-QM-certification-story
• Bernat, F., & Ábrego, Patricia C. (2019). Using Technology in Online Courses. Distance Learning, 16(1), 7-19.
• Ábrego, P., Sanchez, G., & Vallarta, C. A. (2017, June 29). Setting up faculty and instructional designers for success (Institutional training programs) [Conference session]. TAMU Chancellor’s Symposium on Quality Assurance, College Station, TX, United States.
• Ábrego, P., & Vallarta, C. A. (2016, February 16). Creating engaging pedagogical solutions with VoiceThread [Conference session]. Texas A&M Technology Summit, Galveston, TX, United States.
• “Rapid Assessment of Assignments Using Plagiarism Detection Software,” (with Whitney R. Bischoff, DrPH, RN), Nurse Educator, 36, 2011.
• “Meeting the needs of rural communities through the use of interactive collaboration,” USDLA conference, 2010.
• “Perceptions of campus administrators, teachers, and students on the use of interactive videoconference for the delivery of Algebra I in selected high schools in South Texas,” unpublished dissertation, 2009.
• “Technology on the U.S./Mexico Border: Improving Teaching, Improving Learning,” Multimedia Schools, October, 2003.

Awards

• Recipient, Outstanding Employee Service Award at TAMIU, 2013

Certifications

• Peer Reviewer Course, Quality Matters
• Master Reviewer Certification (MRC), Quality Matters

Trainings

• Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR), Quality Matters
• Creating A Foundation With Learning Objectives (Standard 2), Quality Matters
• Connecting Learning Objectives and Assessments (Standards 2 & 3), Quality Matters

Memberships

• Area 1 Director, Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
• Member, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
• Member, Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA)

Dr. Patricia Abrego

Director of Academic Technology
Quality Matters Coordinator
KLM 259 A
956.326.2302