Dr. Schaeffer has been with The University of  Memphis since 2002 and has over 30 years of professional IT experience across a variety of industries, including 8 years with the IBM and founder/CTO of Memphis-based ThoughtWare Technologies, an e-learning and workforce development software company.

He is active in EDUCAUSE and other higher education IT professional organizations and has served on national and regional committees. Dr. Schaeffer currently represents the Tennessee Board of Regents as a member of the IMS Consortium and is active in research, publication, and presentation on various aspects of instructional technologies and adult education.

Dr. Schaeffer, a Memphis native, received his BS in Biology from Rhodes College an MS in Math/Computer Science from the University of Memphis and an EdD in Higher Education leadership and Adult Learning from the University of Memphis.