Course Designer/Manager: Raymond Laté Lawson, Ed.D

Raymond Laté Lawson, Ed.D. is Director of Online Learning and Educational Technology at McHenry County College. He received Doctorate and Master's degrees respectively in Instructional Technology and Management Information Systems from Northern Illinois University. He also earned a Master's degree in Global Economic Development from Eastern University after completing Bachelor's degrees in Education and English. He has taught computer information systems courses at the community college level since 1998.

Prior to joining McHenry County College, Dr. Lawson has served as a program director, a curriculum specialist, an Internet application developer, an online instructor and a high school teacher. Dr. Lawson is passionate about technology, education, and development. His academic research and professional interests focus on the convergence of technology, education, and development as a catalyst for solving world pressing issues. Dr. Lawson speaks French fluently and has basic knowledge of Spanish and Chinese Mandarin.

Dr. Lawson has been spearheading massive open online course (MOOC) initiatives at McHenry County College since 2013, when he developed the first student affairs MOOC ever in collaboration with McHenry County College's library and career services departments. Since then, he continues to develop and offer MOOCs as an opportunity to prepare learners for academic success. His personal philosophy of education revolves around Albert Einstein's statement which asserts that "the only source of knowledge is experience." MOOCs should provide learners with rich learning experiences that expand their imagination and curiosity about our world. He is an advocate for the democratization of education and believes that MOOCs can play an important role in making higher education accessible to all.