VWBPE 2026

In 2014, the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Organizational Committee instituted a new personal achievement award to recognize an individual who has provided outstanding service to both the field of education and the virtual world community at large.

Past recipients include Joyce Bettencourt/Rhiannon Chatnoir, Lorraine Mockford/ Lorrivonne Lustre, Sheila Webber/ Sheila Yoshikawa, Doris Molero/ Pionia Destiny, Lynne Berrett /Wisdomseeker, Renne Emiko Brock / Zinnia Zauber, Barbara Truman/Delightful Doowangle, Valerie Hill/Valibrarian, Cynthia Calogne / Lyr Lobo, Andrew Wheelock / Spiff Whitfield, Alice Kreuger / Gentle Heron, and of course the award namesake, Selby Evans – our Thinkerer.

Many of our Thinkerers were all around the conference over the past 3 days — still generously sharing and supporting us.

We hope you were able to attend the Above the Book session, “Catching up with the Thinkerers” with many of our Thinkerers earlier today. It’s inspiring how our Thinkerers continue to make such a difference. They are all true collaborators and leaders. Please give them a round of applause.

The Thinkerer Award is presented to an individual whose deeds and actions have shown consistent selfless service towards the promotion of learning, community, and educational practices, and who exemplifies the spirit of cooperative development within immersive environments.

Dr. Perrier has spent decades expanding the boundaries of what education can look like when curiosity meets innovation.

He began his career with a PhD in plant ecology from Utah State University, followed by eight years in Africa working in rangeland conservation and with USAID—grounding his teaching in real-world impact and global perspective. In 2000, he joined Northern Virginia Community College, where he would go on to inspire generations of students as a biology professor.

But it is his pioneering work in Second Life that truly distinguishes him. Beginning in 2010, he introduced honors students to immersive, experiential learning in virtual environments—long before such approaches were widely recognized.

By 2012, as manager of NOVA’s virtual campus, he transformed a modest initiative into a thriving, dynamic program. What began with just a handful of students grew into an ecosystem supporting over 400 learners annually, with more than 20 structured learning activities spanning biology, art, language, and healthcare.

Yet his impact extends far beyond a single institution. As a founding member and ongoing leader in the Virtual Worlds Education Consortium, Dr. Perrier has mentored educators, helping them find their footing in virtual teaching spaces—whether through workshops, collaborative builds, or his weekly fireside chats that continue to bring the community together.