Biography

As an Educational Development Specialist, I am dedicated to improving teaching quality and student success in higher education. At the Center for Teaching and Learning, I work with faculty to develop and implement evidence-based programs that create inclusive and engaging learning environments. My responsibilities include advising on instructional strategies, leading workshops, and participating in campus-wide initiatives such as Mid-semester Assessment Protocols and teaching-focused events. I am committed to enhancing teaching excellence and positive student outcomes.

I earned my graduate degree in English from the University of Wyoming, where I specialized in Rhetoric/Composition and Public Humanities. During my time at UW, I held a joint graduate assistantship with the English department and Honors College, serving as the Assistant Director of First-Year Writing and the Honors GA. Additionally, I served on the board of the Rocky Mountain Writing Center Association (RMWCA).

I am deeply passionate about interdisciplinary inquiry and bring a diverse range of research interests, including place-making, rhetorical experience, narrative and memory studies, digital and public humanities, UNESCO and cultural heritage, literary heritage tourism, spatial theory, inquiry-based education, communication across the curriculum, writing center pedagogy, and editorial practices.

Keywords

Academic Persistence, Evidence-Based Teaching, Personalized Advising, Reflective Teaching Practice, Growth Mindset, Holistic Student Support, Sense of Belonging, Community Engagement, Learning Communities/COPs/Workshops, Faculty Development, Student-Centered Approaches

• John Ellbogen Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching Awards (2025 Recipient)
• Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award (2023 Recipient)