Dr. M. Gail Sanders Derrick is a professor in higher education where she teaches graduate and post-graduate courses on the online setting.

Her research in persistence in learning has served as the foundation for numerous dissertations and research endeavors in self-directed and adult learning. Her research interests are motivation, persistence, problem solving, and cultural aspects associated with learning.  She is the author of numerous publications and articles on facets of learning both online and face-to-face.  Dr. Derrick has served as a US DOE and VA DOE grant evaluator and reviewer, presented at numerous conferences at the national and international level, received several awards, and participated on numerous committees at the university level.  She has served on community boards including the Community Service Board, in Chesapeake, Virginia; the Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Awards Committee, and foundation boards such as From One Hand to Another- the Pharrell Williams Advisory Board, Abkuloi, the Fulbright Association, and is collaborating on an international proposal for educator training in Kenya.

Gail received a Doctor of Education from The George Washington University in 2001 in Higher Education Administration, Masters of Arts in Education and Human Development in 1988 from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in 1982 from Virginia Wesleyan College.