Director of Online Learning Technologies
2017
My career journey
As an undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago, I majored in Philosophy and Communication (TV/Film). I worked in video production, advertising research and elementary school education before I enrolled in the Masters of Learning Sciences program in Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy. Following graduate school, I developed distance learning for Kraft Foods, SSA and Arthur Andersen. In 2002, I joined UNext, an early online higher education provider, as a learning architect. Over time, the company’s name, management and mission changed as I assumed great responsibilities and technology skills. I left my position as Learning Technology Manager at Capital Education in 2016 to begin my current role in the School of Professional Studies.
My inspiration
While I was teaching elementary school in Houston, I noticed students who were not usually motivated or engaged in school, were very motivated to use the classroom computers. I also enjoyed using a computer to create instructional materials myself. It was then, that I began to become interested in computer technology as educational too.
Where I’m from/Where I am at
I was born and raised in the Beverly neighbor of Chicago. Except for two years I spent in Houston with the Teach For America program, I lived in the Chicago area my entire life. Currently, I live in the western suburb of Riverside.
My interests outside of work
I am the Board President of the Olmsted Society of Riverside. Olmsted, regarded as the father of American landscape design, planned Riverside, Illinois, New York’s Central Park, the U.S. Capital grounds as well as numerous college campuses, public parks and private estates. The Olmsted Society works to preserve Riverside’s natural environment, unique design and distinctive architecture through community service and education. I particularly enjoy giving walking tours of the neighborhood and coordinating the group’s speakers series.
Rewards of my job
My work using the Canvas API to extract data on student behavior Canvas has been particularly rewarding. It involves a lot of technical problem solving, coding and data analysis. The reports are used to identify students who are at-risk or may be subject to administrative withdrawal due to non-participation.