Information Center: First, I would like to congratulate you on earning the CPLP from the ATD Certification Institute. Will you give a brief description of what is involved in the certification process and why you decided to pursue it?

Ms. Iszler: The Certified Professional in Learning and Performance credential from the Association for Talent Development Certification Institute was something I prepared for almost three years. The CPLP is an internationally recognized credential in the field of learning and performance. For me professionally it was all about challenging myself.  The world of workplace learning and performance research and practice is changing so rapidly that if you want to remain relevant in the field you have to constantly enhance your knowledge and skill set.  I also wanted to ensure that the NIC Academy Learning and Performance initiative continues to be cutting edge and lead learning in the field of corrections. 

Information Center: Will you give a brief background of your career leading up to your position at NIC? What attracted you to NIC?

Ms. Iszler: I began my career in corrections as a probation officer in Tippecanoe County, IN. As a presentence writer I interviewed about 150 individuals a year. It was a great way to understand justice involved individuals. Evidence Based Practices (EBP) caught my attention beginning with Thinking for a Change.  I became a Thinking for a Change facilitator, and I eventually became a trainer of facilitators as well. Philosophically if I had not found EBP I probably would have left corrections.  With an educational background in teaching, I took on more training opportunities. Eventually Indiana Department of Corrections asked me to lead training for the Community Corrections Division. That position led to an invitation to work at NIC's Academy Division through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. Eventually, I was hired as permanent staff. Working for NIC is my dream job. 

Information Center: How will having your CPLP impact your work at NIC?

Ms. Iszler: The CPLP supports a systemic view of learning and performance that isn’t limited to the design and delivery of classroom training. Workplace training is an integral part of performance improvement, emerging technologies, assessment and evaluation, organizational development and change management.  Learning and Performance is the life blood of what Peter Senge, from MIT Sloan School of Management, calls a Learning Organization that facilitates the learning of its members and continuously transforms itself.

Information Center: Last week NIC hosted the third annual Virtual Conference(VC). Will you give us a brief overview of that conference?  

Ms. Iszler: The FY2016 NIC Virtual Conference: “Leading with Innovation” was our third virtual conference. The mission of the NIC Annual Virtual Conferences are to provide a dynamic platform for disseminating emergent innovations in correctional practice using a keynote session, multiple workshop sessions, interactive LiveChat, networking, discussion forums, and virtual information booths. Our goals are to: 1) Inform the field regarding breaking trends and issues in corrections; 2) Link theory and research to practical applications in the field; 3) Inform corrections stakeholders/partners; and 4) Create opportunity for corrections networking.  We had over 2000 people register and had approximately 1000 participants at any one time during the live conference. All the presentations were recorded and will be available via the NIC website. Last year we had over 3000 people visit the NIC website to view the recorded sessions. So the VC has an enduring impact online.

Information Center: What are the advantages of offering a virtual conference?

Ms. Iszler: One of the biggest advantages for the field is enhanced participation with no travel. Any agency with just an internet connection can access the VC. It also is an avenue for the field of corrections to showcase their best work and connect with other agencies to share ideas. 

Information Center:  What would you like our readers to know about what is on the horizon for Learning and Performance and for Virtual Conference 2017?  

Ms. Iszler: For FY2017 and beyond, the Academy is making final revisions on the Learning and Performance Professional Development Series:  The Learning Administrator, Learning Designer, Learning Professional and Learning Coach. We hope to deliver the curricula very soon. We are in the process of planning the FY2017 Learning and Performance Symposium where we will continue to focus on innovative ways to design and delivery learning. Finally, the planning for the FY2017 Virtual Conference began before the FY2016 Virtual Conference was even held! Next year, we want to increase the interaction between participants during the conference. Our goal is to provide a platform for participants to network and share ideas.