Education
- D.Min., Semiotics & Future Studies (Leadership in the Emerging Culture), Portland Seminary at George Fox University
- MS, Instructional Design & Technology, Emporia State University
- Certificate, Practical Theology (Missions & Ministry), Emmaus Road Ministry School
- BA, Christian Ministries (Preaching & Pastoral Ministry), Southwest Baptist University
Professional Background
- Learning Management Systems Coordinator, Tabor College – Wichita (current position)
- Instructional Technology Coordinator, Kansas State University – Salina (2003-2010)
- Graphic Designer, Program Marketing & Development, Kansas State University – Manhattan (2001-2003)
- Ordained minister – Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church (since 1996), previously Church of God – Anderson
- 30 years of cross-denominational ministry experience in a wide variety of contexts (church planter; pastor, associate pastor, & co-pastor; summer missionary; and innovation/technology consultant)
- Research Assistant under oft-quoted statistician & author Dr. John N. Vaughan, MegaChurch Research Center & Church Growth Today (1992-1994)
Recognitions & Awards
- Nominee, “Outstanding Technical Support Staff Award” 2015 – Colleague 2 Colleague SIDLIT
- “Timothy Award for Pastoral Excellence” (Pastor of the Year) 2009 – Kansas District of the Wesleyan Church
- Featured in Conrad, C. (2010). Your Church Can Win. Evangelism & Church Growth, The Wesleyan Church (Indianapolis, Ind.). Introductory example in final chapter on “Life Change Stories” (pp. 79-80) as well as on the E&CG department’s accompanying website
- Featured numerous times in Kansas District (Wesleyan) materials as leader in evangelism and missional church activity
- “Most Viewed Writer” on Quora in Copyright Law, Copyright Infringement, Plagiarism, and Academic Plagiarism & Cheating
Courses Taught
- Technology for Ministry
- Ministry Technology in Cultural Context
- Enhancing PowerPoint With Multimedia & Interactivity
- Discipleship & Ethics
- The Sermon on the Mount
- Future Studies (co-taught with Len Sweet)
Publications
- Swisher, D. (2012). Evangelizing Post-Moderns: A Celtic Model. Wesleyan Theological Journal (47) 2. San Diego, CA: Wesleyan Theological Society. [author]
- Swisher, D. (2009) as WildcatTech. “Strangely Warmed: John Wesley’s Spiritual Journey”. [YouTube video with over 40,000+ views and on dozens of playlists].
- Kendall, G. & J. Davey (2004). Path to Power: The Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Fully-Devoted Follower of Christ, 2nd Ed (also 1st Ed., 2001). Topeka, KS: Lasting Impressions/Morris Publishing. [editor & publisher]
- Swisher, D. (1999). Praying in the Will of God (booklet). Olathe, KS: Lasting Impressions. [author]
- Hall, D. (1997). A Treasure Worth the Effort. Euless, TX: Successful Christian Living Ministries. [editor & ghostwriter]
- Swisher, D. (1994). The Evening Light: God’s Restoration of the New Testament Church. Bolivar, MO: Lasting Impressions. [author]
- Vaughan, J. N. (1993). Megachurches & America’s Cities: How Churches Grow. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [research contributor]
- Swisher, D. (1992). Keys to Successful Time Management. Nashville, TN: Brentwood Christian Press. [author]
Presentations
- Swisher, D. & R. Bartlett, & R. Gibson (2016). “Techonology-Based Best Practices Solutions for [Re]Designing Tomorrow’s Online Discussions.” IST Conference, School of Education at Indiana University-Bloomington, March 2016.
- Swisher, D. (2015, August). “Aligning Course Objectives with Assessments and Program Outcomes: Recent Developments in the Application of Bloom’s Taxonomy.” Summer Institute for Distance Learning & Instructional Technology (SIDLIT) Conference.
- Swisher, D. (2013, August). “Beyond the ‘Digital Natives’ & ‘Digital Immigrants’ Debate: Re-Orienting the Logic of Immersion.” Summer Institute for Distance Learning & Instructional Technology (SIDLIT) Conference.
- Swisher, D. (2013, March). “‘Be Perfect’: Jesus’ Semiotic Re-framing of Holiness in Matthew 5:18-48.” Wesleyan Theological Society annual meeting.
- Swisher, D. (2011, August). “Overcoming the Pitfalls in the Promise of Mobile e-Learning.” Summer Institute for Distance Learning & Instructional Technology (SIDLIT) Conference.
- Swisher, D. & L. Hannah (2008, July/August). “Integrating Active Learning & Experiential Context into Online Courses.” Summer Institute for Distance Learning & Instructional Technology (SIDLIT) Conference.
- Swisher, D. & L. Hannah (2008, January). “My Course is Online, So Why Aren’t My Students Learning?” Professional Day 2008 at Kansas State University – Salina.
- Swisher, D. (2008). “Making PowerPoint Presentations More Effective.” Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Train the Trainer Workshop.
- Swisher, D. & A. Starkey (2007, November). “Copyright Issues: Visual Media.” Faculty Online Course Development Series, Kansas State University – Salina, Salina, KS.
- Swisher, D. (2007, September). “Adventures in Marketing: Using Technology to Expand Your Institution’s Reach.” Axio Learning (LMS) Community Meeting & Conference.
- Swisher, D. & A. Starkey (2007, August). “Copyright, Digital Media, & the T.E.A.C.H. Act.” Summer Institute for Distance Learning & Instructional Technology (SIDLIT).
- Swisher, D. (2007, January). “When Does Multimedia Enhance Learning and When Does it Hinder Learning?” Faculty Exchange for Teaching Excellence Retreat, Center for the Advancement of Teaching & Learning, Kansas State University.
- Swisher, D. (2007, January). “Does Multimedia Truly Enhance Learning?: Moving Beyond the Visual Media Bandwagon Toward Instructional Effectiveness.” Professional Day 2007, Kansas State University – Salina.
- Swisher, D. (2005, August). “Making PowerPoint Interactive.” Summer Institute for Distance Learning & Instructional Technology (SIDLIT) Conference.
- Swisher, D. (2005). “Enhancing PowerPoint With Multimedia.” Kansas State University TechBytes Workshop.
- Swisher, D. (2002, March). “Evangelism in an Age of Disbelief: Exploring Saint Patrick’s Legacy Toward a Missiological Model for Evangelizing Postmoderns.” Wesleyan Theological Society annual meeting.
Service
CURRENT:
- Leadership Team (Student Support Team Leader), Tabor College – Wichita & Online
- Technology Support: Canvas (Program Coordinator & Support Liaison), Zoom web conferencing & Zoom Room (Administrator), and TurnItIn (Wichita campus administrator)
- Ministry/Community Roles: Production, Crew (setup/tear down), and director of video production at Waterline Church (Fishers, KS)
PREVIOUS:
- Strategic Planning Committee, Staff Representative, Tabor College – Wichita & Online
- Graduate Theological Education (GTE) “Design Team” member, Tabor College – Wichita & Online
- AQIP Action Team (Inter-Campus Communication), Tabor College
- Ministry/Community Roles: Active leadership roles in video production, multimedia development, adult discipleship, evangelism/outreach, and missions at Newspring Church (Wichita, KS), Trinity Heights United Methodist Church (Newton, KS), Hutchinson Wesleyan Church (Hutchinson, KS), Iglesia Torre Fuerte (Wichita, KS > Planeview) and Iglesia Luz y Vida (Wichita, KS > Delano).