Tracy Mendolia

Title
Associate Director for CTLE and Adjunct Faculty
Email
Department
Office of Undergraduate Advising
College

Areas of Expertise

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality in Education

Dr. Tracy A. Mendolia is an education innovator dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through transformative technologies and evidence-informed practices. As associate director for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's College of Aviation, she collaborates with faculty to enhance instructional effectiveness and develop engaging, high-impact learning experiences for students in aviation and STEM disciplines. At Embry-Riddle, she is proud to contribute to the university’s legacy of excellence in aviation and aerospace education, working alongside faculty to explore how emerging technologies can revolutionize instruction and prepare students to lead in these fields.

With expertise in AI, XR, VR, AR and other emerging educational technologies, Dr. Mendolia helps to design and implement solutions that bridge the gap between cutting-edge tools and pedagogy, helping faculty streamline assessments, create dynamic learning environments and solve complex instructional challenges. Her work includes integrating VR simulations into course content to provide immersive, scenario-based experiences that deepen student understanding. A frequent presenter, she has led numerous national and international workshops on the impact of generative AI in education, focusing on upskilling faculty to thrive in today’s AI-driven academic landscape. Dr. Mendolia has also spearheaded faculty development initiatives and supported interdisciplinary research exploring technology-enhanced teaching practices. She actively collaborates with national organizations, including EDUCAUSE, Amazon Web Services (AWS), WCET and Alchemy, contributing to strategic initiatives, institutional policy development and research projects that explore the responsible and effective integration of generative AI and other emerging technologies in higher education.

Passionate about educational innovation, Dr. Mendolia believes technology should not simply support instruction but transform it, making learning more engaging, impactful and aligned with the evolving needs of learners and educators. She earned her Ph.D. in Learning Technologies from the University of North Texas, where her dissertation, Academic Dishonesty in the Age of AI, examined the intersection of generative AI tools and student motivations to cheat. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Educational Multimedia from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a focus on Advertising from California State University, Fullerton.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Learning Technologies, University of North Texas
  • M.A. - Master of Arts in Education, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
  • UNIV 101: College Success