Faculty

Michael Griffiths

VP of Online Operations

“The most important thing about higher education isn’t just content—it’s the teacher and the content mixed together. We want to bottle the magic, expertise, and passion of our professors and allow more people to experience that, recreating our close-knit campus environment for students who cannot be here in person. I first came to SVU as a professor and got to experience the unique feeling of campus personally, and I’m excited to build an online learning experience that helps online students feel the same.”

Education

  • Ph.D. Instructional Psychology and Technology, Brigham Young University, 2010
  • M.S. in Instructional Psychology and Technology, Brigham Young University, 2007
  • B.A. French Studies, Brigham Young University, 2004
  • BTEC National Diploma in Computer Science, SWCOFE, 1989
  • Oracle Certified Professional

Courses

  • Computer Science Major: Programming Fundamentals, Software Engineering, Programming Languages, Database Systems

Teaching Positions & Professional Experience

  • Joined Southern Virginia University faculty in 2023
  • Executive Consultant and Advisory Board Member, English3, 2013–present
  • Chief Executive Officer, Toorz, 2022–23
  • Chief Operations Officer, Pro-Vigil Surveillance Services, 2018–19
  • Chief Technology Officer, Lexipol, 2014–16
  • Development Manager, Provo Missionary Training Center, 2012–14
  • Director of Online Learning, BYU Hawaii, 2009–12
  • Applications Systems Manager, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1999–01
  • CEO and Founder, Alma Systems Ltd, 1998–04

Scholarship & Creative Work

  • “Enhanced Online Learning with Canvas Media,” presented at InstructureCon, 2011
  • “Using asynchronous video to achieve instructor immediacy and closeness in online classes: Experiences from three cases,” International Journal on E-Learning, 2010
  • “Rethinking Design and Learning Processes in Distance Education,” Springer Science+Business Media, 2010
  • “The potential of asynchronous video in online education,” Distance Learning, 2009
  • “Using asynchronous video in online classes: Results from a pilot study,” International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 2009

Awards, Leadership & Service

  • Senior Vice President, Well–Africa NGO
  • Trustee and CFO, Ronald Reagan Academy, 2004–07
  • Founder and CFO, Merit College Preparatory Academy, 2006–07
  • Missionary, France Paris Mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1992–94