Dr. Wendi M. Kappers is a Tenure-track, Assistant Professor in the Department of Management and Technology in the College of Business (CoB) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) – Worldwide Campus in the Masters of Information Security and Assurance (MISA) Program and the Masters of Management Information Systems (MMIS); formerly the Discipline and Program Chair of the MISA program. She served as the inaugural Director of the Rothwell Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) (2010-2015) prior to moving to the CoB in 2015.

When time permits, she instructs in the College of Engineering (CoE) and for the Gaetz Foundation of the Daytona Beach (DB) Campus to ensure she stays active within the vibrate on-campus activities of the residential campus and maintains a role as a Student Club Advisor of the Competitive eSports student organization. In 2019, she “informally” celebrated her 10-year anniversary at ERAU, starting in 2009 as a Consultant within the Instructional Design Department (IDD) and as a DB Adjunct.

Dr. Kappers has a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Her thesis work explored Information Systems (IS) as they applied to educational video game effects upon mathematics achievement and motivation scores and the differences between the sexes. Her current research focuses on Cyber Hygiene Habits (CHH) and Information Security Assurance and Management Information Systems workforce preparation skills gap using a DACUM methodology.

She regularly supports project initiatives within the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) to further support women in engineering and engineering faculty development, was the former founder and Treasurer of the Faculty Development Division (FDD) within ASEE’s establishment. Currently, she is a Faculty Senator on the Worldwide Campus Faculty Senate serving a two-year term, is a member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the IEEE Cybersecurity Division, and ASEE, and volunteers as a Make-A-Wish Greeter, VetsRuckUpCancer, and within Volusia County as a Manatee Sighting Reporter, Right Whale Spotter, and as a Sea Turtle Washback Watcher Surveyor. 

Her research has been published in Computers in Education, the Journal of Applied Business and Economics, the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE) - Intersection Journal, the British Journal of Educational Technology (BJET), and in most recent times Issues in Information Systems. Additionally, she has published two book chapters regarding the use of simulations in industry and video game utilization for the learning of STEM skills. Lastly, she has presented her work yearly at various conferences supported by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), ASEE, International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS), ISACA, Professional Organizational Development (POD) Network, and at special divisional sessions within the engineering and security fields as invited or required through grant work.

Current publications include:

Dr. Kappers is an experienced Computer Engineer and Instructional Designer, designing in Blackboard, WebCT, eCollege, and Canvas, and holds many industry-related certifications including the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Trainer (MCT) certificates beginning with Windows NT 4.0, and earning her most recent certification, the CompTia Security+ certification, in 2021. She is SAS software trained and has completed over 40 hours of desktop training from InfoSec between 2020-2021 regarding Information Security and Assurance (ISA) topics. 

Currently, she is enrolled in ERAU's very own Master of Science in Aeronautics (MSA) degree program, specializing in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Operations, expected date of graduation 2022. Holds her Part 107 Unmanned Pilot license.