For the past 20 years, Ricki Hodges Neri has quietly but powerfully made her mark at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), ensuring the vital infrastructure supporting both online and face-to-face education runs seamlessly. What began as a part-time student worker position in the IT Department evolved into a career marked by excellence, culminating in her current role as Master Blackboard Administrator for SHSU and the Texas State University System (TSUS). Along the way, Ricki has not only become an integral figure in the realm of academic technology, but she has also emerged as a trailblazer for women in the tech world, a domain still predominantly occupied by men.
Ricki’s journey is one of dedication, resilience, and growth. She began as a student worker while completing her undergraduate degree, and from those early days, her passion for technology and education was clear. A pivotal moment came in 2013 when she graduated and could fully focus on her role. "Though I had been employed full-time since 2006, after graduation, I was able to learn and accomplish so much more since I was no longer in school,” Ricki recalls. This marked the beginning of a significant transition in her responsibilities from instructional design to system administration—an area in which she found her true calling. “It still boggles my mind that I manage and implement processes that affect students, when I myself used to be affected by them,” she reflects.
Today, Ricki’s role extends far beyond SHSU. As Master Blackboard Administrator, she oversees the learning management system (LMS) for SHSU and four other institutions within TSUS, managing an intricate web of over 50 tools connected to the LMS that support academic technologies for online education. Her leadership ensures that students and faculty across the system can focus on teaching and learning without being bogged down by technical issues. "Having been a student before, I know we already have enough to worry about,” she says. “Actually seeing the effects of those efforts each term has been very rewarding to me.”
Ricki’s path to success has not been without challenges. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she has often found herself needing to prove her expertise more than her male counterparts. “I have often had to make more of an effort to prove my knowledge and capability in handling tasks or projects,” she admits. But this challenge only fueled her drive to excel. Ricki’s deep understanding of Blackboard and academic technologies has made her the go-to person for solving issues, a reputation she has worked hard to build. “I am able now to answer a question or diagnose a problem without even having to look at Blackboard,” she says, smiling.
Her success is not just a personal triumph but also a significant achievement for women in online education. As a leader in this space, Ricki exemplifies how women can thrive and lead in technology roles, breaking down barriers and setting an example for others to follow. Her role has allowed her to lend her voice to the ongoing evolution of online education, not only at SHSU but within the broader Blackboard client community. “I have a lot of knowledge to share, and I am happy to do so,” she says.
Looking ahead, Ricki envisions a future where academic technology becomes more integrated and easier for students to navigate. “My hope is that we will cultivate a sort of one-stop shop for education online, where everything a student uses is available in one place and works together,” she explains. She is excited about continuing to contribute to the evolution of online education and helping shape the future of learning for the next generation of students.
Outside of work, Ricki enjoys crafting and making jewelry, and she is passionate about animal care, particularly for cats in her neighborhood. Her attention to detail, compassion, and hands-on approach in these hobbies mirrors her professional life, where she works quietly but with great impact.
As SHSU and TSUS continue to navigate the evolving landscape of online education, Ricki Hodges Neri stands as a beacon of dedication, expertise, and leadership. Her journey from student worker to Master Blackboard Administrator is not only a personal achievement but also a symbol of the vital role women play in shaping the future of academic technology. We are proud to celebrate Ricki’s 20 years of service and look forward to seeing her continued impact on the world of online education.