"Online instructors are a critical component to effective online teaching and learning," said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of MVU. "Just like in face-to-face teaching, online instructors must be engaging, knowledgeable and available. Melanie Laber is all of these things and more, and she represents the very best in what is a new and growing field. She truly believes all students can learn and does a remarkable job of developing rapport with students she never gets a chance to meet in person." Online learning is expanding dramatically in Michigan and nationwide. "Online learning has become an integral instructional delivery model since the state adopted the nation's first online learning requirement for high school graduation, as part of the Michigan Merit Curriculum in 2006," said Michael Flanagan, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "I am a firm believer that online learning will continue to transform our public education system and ultimately expand learning opportunities for students of all abilities."