Matthew Gunkel
Chief eLearning Officer of Univerity of Missouri
Chief eLearning Officer, Matthew Gunkel leads the systemwide effort to develop, design, build, and operate an online and digital-learning platform that will ensure a superior academic experience for students and lead us toward meeting enrollment goals. Gunkel is closely collaborating with university leadership and faculty at each of the four universities as they work to expand and align online programs and service initiatives and launch appealing eLearning programs.
Gunkel joins us from Indiana University, where he most recently served as the Director of Teaching and Learning Technology and led eLearning strategy, services, operations, and investments for the entire nine-campus system. During that time, he helped grow Indiana University’s reputation as a nationally recognized leader in online learning, with the university’s US News ranking for best online bachelor’s program climbing from 72 to 20 over the past four years. Gunkel focused efforts in developing collaborations among programs from the different campuses, driving course quality and excellence, student online orientations, and in developing faculty development programs for digital education. In his role, Gunkel streamlined tools to drive the cost of creating and delivering a new online course from $30,000 to less than $7,000 and spearheaded efforts that quadrupled the number of courses created annually from the program’s beginning in 2014. His work to negotiate contracts for solutions and services established ground-breaking partnerships with key players in educational technology, such as Examity, Canvas, Top Hat, Zoom and Google. Gunkel earned a Master’s in Information Science from Indiana University and a Bachelor’s in Computer Technology from Purdue University.
Dr. Leah Blakey
Assistant Professor of History
Drury University
Dr. Leah Blakey is an Associate Professor of History at Drury University. She serves as the Director of Online Education. She has pursued an academic career involving international business, government work and pedagogy, culminating in a doctorate from Saint Louis University. She received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Advising in 2014 and was named Educator of the Year in 2007. Through her ongoing interest in education and pedagogy, she has spoken at conferences around the United States and Canada.
Dr. Devin Burns
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Missouri S&T
Dr. Devin Burns is a Psychology professor interested in perception, decision making, and replication. He is working to increase the experiential components of his courses so that students can learn more and have fun while doing it!
Damián Cárdenas Loboguerrero
Graduate Student of Geosciences, Geological & Petroleum Engineering
Missouri S&T
Damián Cárdenas is currently a funded Ph.D. candidate in Geology and Geophysics at Missouri S&T. Since summer 2017, he has been working as a course designer for the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) in the development of new educational tools to improve students' learning expirience in paleontology, collaborating with the course instructor (Dr. Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe) and instructional designer (Jeffrey Jennings, MEd). During Systematic Paleontology (GEO 4631) redesign to transition from a classroom/ laboratory teaching format to a blended format with a distance/online section, he has been primarily involved in the digitization of the fossil teaching collection to develop interactive and user-friendly online educational materials. Damián is the lead facilitator for work on the creation of a fossil database and a web app interface to stimulate students' interest in paleontology. He is also planning to enhance paleontological outreach through the development and implementation of new eLearning tools.
Ellen Cline
Research Librarian at Curtis Laws Wilson Library
Missouri S&T
Ellen Cline is a Research Librarian at Curtis Laws Wilson Library. She has a Bachelor’s in Global Studies/French and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Cline is the liaison to most STEM departments on campus and is responsible for collection development, research support, and classroom support in those areas. She also works with the Community Engagement Committee in the library. Ms. Cline is interested in teaching, diversity/inclusion, outreach, and the intersection of the three.
Dr. Beth Cudney
Associate Professor of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering
Missouri S&T
Dr. Elizabeth Cudney is an Associate Professor in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She received her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University, Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and MBA from the University of Hartford, and doctorate in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri – Rolla. In 2018, Dr. Cudney received the ASQ Crosby Medal for her book on Design for Six Sigma. Dr. Cudney received the 2018 IISE Fellow Award. She also received the 2017 Yoshio Kondo Academic Research Prize from the International Academy for Quality for sustained performance in exceptional published works. In 2014, Dr. Cudney was elected as an ASEM Fellow. In 2013, Dr. Cudney was elected as an ASQ Fellow. In 2010, Dr. Cudney was inducted into the International Academy for Quality. She received the 2008 ASQ A.V. Feigenbaum Medal and the 2006 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineering Award. She has published nine books and over 85 journal papers. Dr. Cudney is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. She holds eight ASQ certifications, which include ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Manager of Quality/Operational Excellence, and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, amongst others.
Dr. CJ Dulaney
Assistant Professor of Computing
McKendree University
Dr. CJ Dulaney worked in the Defense Industry for over a decade prior to becoming a full-time Assistant Professor of Computing at McKendree University. His experience leading a geographically diverse team while pursuing a doctoral degree developed his interest in virtual workers, leading to a dissertation focusing on trust between virtual and non-virtual IT workers.
His research interests involve exploring the behaviors of professionals, students, and others in the Computing and Cybersecurity Industries.
Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver
Academic Director
Mizzou Academy
Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver serves as the Director of Academic Affairs and Engagement for Mizzou Academy. She began her teaching career in a K-8 school in Oakland, CA. Since then, Dr. Fishman-Weaver has taught and led programs in special education, gifted education, English language arts, and teacher preparation. She is the author of two books in education, Wholehearted Teaching of Gifted Young Women (on the social-emotional needs of high-achieving students) and When Your Child Learns Differently (on advocacy and inclusion for students with disabilities). Her work has appeared in numerous publications and been referenced by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to her work with Mizzou Academy, Dr. Fishman-Weaver also supports the University of Missouri’s teacher education program by coordinating a required course on culturally responsive teaching.
Kellie Grasman
Lecturer of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering
Missouri S&T
Kellie Grasman is a lecturer in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department at Missouri S&T. She holds graduate degrees in industrial & operations engineering, manufacturing engineering, and business administration from the University of Michigan, and began teaching in 2001 after spending several years in industry and consulting positions. Kellie transformed several large engineering service courses from traditional lecture delivery to online, and currently teaches 1300+ online students each year. Her research interests include engineering education, engineering economics, education technology, online & blended learning and diversity in engineering education.
Kellie Grasman is also the recipient of the 2018 WileyPlus Nexty Award for Best Online Course.
Dr. Lauren Hays
Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology
University of Central Missouri
Lauren Hays, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology at the University of Central Missouri. At UCM, she teaches educational technology courses for graduate students. Her professional interests include the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, information literacy, digital literacy, educational technology, and academic development. She is fascinated by how people learn.
Dr. Sarah Hercula
Assistant Professor of English & Technical Communication
Missouri S&T
Dr. Sarah Hercula is an Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of English and Technical Communication at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Her research and teaching interests include applied/sociolinguistics, language variation, language ideologies, English grammar, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), and second language writing, among others. She is committed to innovative teaching strategies, both online and in-person, and strives to include active and experiential learning into her courses, giving students real opportunities to put the theoretical into practice.
Dr. Katherine Herrell
Associate Dean
Lindenwood University
Dr. Herrell currently serves as the Associate Dean in the School of Arts, Media, and Communications at Lindenwood University. In addition to her role as an academic administrator, she served on the University Assessment Committee from its inception until June 2019, and was pleased to serve as the Director of Assessment in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness during the 2018-19 Academic year. An Associate Professor of Music, she designed, launched, and currently teaches in the online Master of Music Education degree to serve practicing K-12 music educators who desire to improve their effectiveness in the music classroom through targeted coursework and research. Dr. Herrell holds a BA in Music from Truman State University and an MBA from Maryville University. She earned an MA and Doctor of Education from Lindenwood University.
Dr. XianBiao "XB" Hu
Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural, & Environmental Engineering
Missouri S&T
Levi Hudson
Senior Technology Resource Manager
Missouri S&T
Levi Hudson leads the IT Media Services team at Missouri S&T. They specialize in distance course production, lecture capture, and course delivery methods both synchronously and asynchronously. They currently produce live, capture, and deliver over 130 courses per semester for Missouri S&T resulting in over two million meeting minutes served each year.
Dr. james Hutson
Assistant Dean of Online and Graduate Programs
Lindenwood University
Dr. James Hutson has served as Assistant Dean of Online and Graduate Programs since 2016 in the School of Arts, Media, and Communications at Lindenwood University. In that role, he has overseen the creation of 23 various online degrees, minors, and certificates and assisted in developing the master online course template, creation and review process, and assessment. Dr. Hutson holds a BA in Studio Art from the University of Tulsa, a MA in Art History from Southern Methodist University, and PhD in Art History from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Dr. Irina Ivliyeva
Chair of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence
Professor of Arts, Language, & Philsophy
Missouri S&T
Dr. Irina V. Ivliyeva is a tenured professor of Russian at the Arts, Languages, and Philosophy department. Prior to coming to S&T in 1997, she taught for eight years at the Moscow Power Engineering University (MPEI). She holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a master’s degree in philology from the Moscow State University. Ivliyeva’s research interests include Russian word formation synthesis, comparative semantics, teaching with technology, and second language acquisition. Ivliyeva has authored three monographs and dozens of articles appearing in linguistic journals. A recipient of twenty-eight teaching awards at UMR-S&T, Irina was named Missouri S&T Woman of the Year in 2012 and was dubbed an Honorary Knight of St. Patrick in 2011. Dr. Ivliyeva was appointed chair of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) effective July 1, 2019.
Dr. Beth Kania-Gosche
Professor and Chair of Teacher Education and Certification
Missouri S&T
Dr. Kania-Gosche (Dr. Beth to her students) is Professor and Chair of Teacher Education and Certification at Missouri S&T. She is the president of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and she has served on many state workgroups and committees. She loves assessment and meaningful data that strengthen the S&T program and other educator preparation programs across the state. Her goal is that every Missouri public school student has a caring, qualified teacher in their classroom.
Dr. Jossalyn Larson
Assistant Teaching Professor of English & Technical Communication
Missouri S&T
Dr. Jossalyn Larson is Assistant Teaching Professor of English & Technical Communication at Missouri S&T. Her research tends to focus on religion and rhetoric in popular culture, as well as issues of gender and religiosity in television and in cultural subsects and interest groups. Her pedagogical research centers on writing instruction in higher education, particularly with STEM students.
Dr. Nicolas A. Libre
Assistant Teaching Professor of Civil, Architectural, & Environmental Engineering
Missouri S&T
Dr. Nick Libre is an assistant teaching professor of Civil Engineering at Missouri S&T. He studies and applies innovative approaches in engineering education.
Dr. Christi Patton Luks
Associate Teaching Professor of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
Missouri S&T
Dr. Christi Patton Luks teaches Chemical Engineering. She has been teaching with technology for more than 25 years at the University of Tulsa and, now, at Missouri S&T and has more than 2000 subscribers to her YouTube channel of instructional videos.
Sherry mahnken
Research Librarian at Curtis Laws Wilson Library
Missouri S&T
Sherry Mahnken is a Research Librarian at Curtis Laws Wilson Library. She has a Bachelor’s in English/History and Master’s degrees in both English and Library and Information Science, all from the University of Missouri - Columbia. Ms. Mahnken is the liaison to the humanities and social sciences departments on campus and is responsible for collection development, research support, and classroom support in those areas, as well as for the library’s general reading collection. Ms. Mahnken is interested in how libraries can use teaching and learning technologies to support student success.
Kassi Maurer
Library Media Specialist
Belle High School
Kassi Maurer is a high school library media specialist in the Maries County R-II School District. She earned a Master’s Degree in Library Sciences and Information Services from the University of Central Missouri. Previously, she graduated from Missouri S&T with her undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education. Currently, she serves as the Director for the South Central Region in the Missouri Association of School Librarians. This is her tenth year in education, and she is passionate about integrating technology into classrooms.
Brad Mitchell
Media Production Coordinator for Course Design & Technology
University of Missouri-Columbia
Brad Mitchell is the Media Production Coordinator for Course Design & Technology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, known for bringing a research-based approach to the production of instructional media with a focus on pedagogy and student outcomes. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri with an academic focus on media literacy pedagogy, assessment and policy; and instructional media pedagogy and technologies.
Dr. Victoria Mondelli
Director of the Teaching for Learning Center
University of Missouri-Columbia
Tori Mondelli is the director of the Teaching for Learning Center at MU, and has been working with Danna in co-chairing the successful pilot of Coursetune with selected programs at MU, as well as its expansion to the UM system. Her current research interest is collaborative learning through educational games at the college and university level. Her new co-authored book, The ALLURE of Play: The Educators’ Guide to Implementing Game-Based Learning will be published by West Virginia University Press in 2020.
Dr. Dev Niyogi
Associate Professor of Biological Science
Missouri S&T
Dr. Niyogi is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. He has been teaching ecology classes at Missouri S&T for 16 years. This online ecology class (basis of presentation) was his first online offering of an entire class.
Dr. Francisa Oboh-Ikuenobe
Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering & Computing
Professor of Geology & Geophysics
Missouri S&T
Dr. Francisca (Franca) Oboh-Ikuenobe is a professor in the Department of Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering at Missouri University of Science and technology. She obtained a PhD degree in Geology from the University of Cambridge and MS and BS degrees from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. She teaches courses about the evolution of the earth, stratigraphy, basic and advanced paleontology, and paleoclimatology. Franca uses her training in sedimentology to conduct research in palynology, a sub-discipline of paleontology that uses organic-walled microfossils such as pollen, spores, dinoflagellates and acritarchs, to unravel the history of the Earth.
Dr. mary M. Ruettgers
Dean of Arts & Humanities
Southwestern Illinois College
Dr. Ruettgers currently serves as the Dean of Arts & Humanities at Southwestern Illinois College. Her research focuses on preparing teacher preparation program graduates with the 21st century knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead in today’s classrooms. She has taught Classroom Teaching and Technology courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels for many years prior to becoming a dean. Currently she is working with faculty to bring more technology into the classrooms and the integration of technology with instruction. Dr. Ruettgers is conducting research related to short-term study abroad experiences and students’ cross-cultural and critical-thinking competencies as a result of such travel experiences.
Dr. Jillian Schmidt
Assistant Teaching Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Missouri S&T
Dr. Jillian Schmidt is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She teaches primarily first and second-year engineering design courses, and her research interests include team dynamics and incorporation of technology in project based courses.
Dr. Joan Schuman
Associate Teaching Professor of Engingeering Management & Systems Engineering
Missouri S&T
Dr. Joan Schuman is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department at Missouri S&T. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Arkansas and completed her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi. Schuman is a Project Management Professional (PMP), certified through the Project Management Institute. She worked for several years in the aerospace industry with the Boeing Company, initially as a design engineer and then later as a system engineer. At Missouri S&T, she teaches a variety of courses emphasizing Project Management and Financial Management for both undergraduate and graduate level courses. Her research interests focus on engineering education with a special interest in Service Learning, project management and cultural competency. Schuman is also the Departmental Experiential Learning Coordinator. She has developed her undergraduate project management class into a Service Learning class where the students work with area communities on real projects that benefit both the communities and students.
Dr. Robert W. Schwartz
Director of Special Projects for MU Extension Business Development
University of Missouri
Dr. Robert W. Schwartz serves as Director of Special Projects for the MU Extension Business Development Program, where his responsibilities include small business and rural economic development. His previous appointments include Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Missouri S&T and various academic administrate roles for S&T, the University of Missouri and the University of Missouri System. Beyond economic development, his interests include graduate skills and readiness, and educational pedagogy.
Dr. Michelle Schwartze
Assistant Teaching Professor of Teacher Education & Certification
Missouri S&T
Dr. Michelle Schwartze is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Missouri S & T. She graduated in 2016 from Illinois State University with her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to that she taught for 13 years in grades ranging from 3rd to 8th , mostly in the subjects of math and science. She teaches the elementary education methods courses, is a university supervisor for student teachers, and advises the elementary education majors. Her research interests are constructivism, flexible seating, and STEM education.
Dr. Daniel B. Shank
Assistant Professor of Psychological Science
Missouri S&T
Dr. Daniel B. Shank is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Missouri Science & Technology specializing in the areas of social psychology and technology. He obtained a BA in Computer Science from Harding University, and from the University of Georgia he received an MS in Artificial Intelligence and an MA and PhD in Sociology. Dr. Shank served in two postdoctoral research fellowships at the University of Alabama Birmingham and at the University of Melbourne (Australia). His research interests include perceptions of and social interactions with nonhumans including artificial intelligence agents and groups of people. He studies morality, mind attributions, affective impressions, emotions, social interactions, and behavioral reactions and how these processes differ between AIs and humans and on human-AI teams. He has published over 20 articles in psychology, sociology, and behavior science technology journals and currently has grants from the Army Research Office and the Leonard Wood Institute to study affective and moral perceptions and interactions with AIs.
Brenda Spurgeon
EdTech Consultant
BSpurgeon EdTech Consulting
Brenda Spurgeon is recently retired from Rolla Public Schools as the lead Instructional Technology Facilitator and is currently an independent EdTech Consultant. Additionally, she serves as an EdTech adjunct professor for Lindenwood University and as a guest lecturer for Missouri University of Science and Technology education program. As a 32-year veteran of public education, Brenda taught high school mathematics and computer science for more than 20 years, served as the A+ Coordinator, and been closely involved with educational technology throughout her career. As an Instructional Technologist, she designs and facilitates professional development training sessions that showcase effective uses of educational technology to enhance instruction and improve achievement.
Brian Stuhlman
Middle School Coordinator
Mizzou Academy
Brian Stuhlman serves as the Coordinator of the Middle School and Curriculum Specialist (Speech & Debate) for Mizzou Academy. He holds a Bachelors in Secondary English Education and a Masters in Gifted Education, both from the University of Missouri. Brian's 20+ year teaching career spans both public and private schools in Missouri and in Kiev, Ukraine. He has led courses in English Language and Literature, Speech, Debate, Drama and Theatre, Media Analysis and other Humanities. During the summer, Brian is also the lead programmer and a teacher of modern arts and philosophy and children's media analysis for the Missouri Scholars Academy, an enrichment experience for gifted students operated by the University of Missouri Honors College.
Dr. Jeff Thomas
Associate Teaching Professor of Civil, Architectural, & Environmental Engineering
Missouri S&T
Dr. Thomas has taught engineering classes at Missouri S&T for 23 years. He experiments with teaching methods and educational media.
Dr. ann Torrusio
Assistant Teaching Professor
Pierre Laclede Honors College
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Stephanie Walter
Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction
Mizzou Academy
Stephanie Walter serves as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction for Mizzou Academy. She holds a University of Missouri BS Ed in Secondary Language Arts and completed her MS Ed in Creative Arts in Education through Lesley University. Throughout her 20+ years of teaching, Stephanie has taught in public, private, and blended classrooms, meeting students from all over the world and encouraging them as they evolve as writers and learners. Stephanie is passionate about curriculum development, teacher support, and fostering student success.
Roger Weaver
Director of Library Operations & Scholarly Communication at Curtis Laws Wilson Library
Missouri S&T
Dr. Michelle Whitacre
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Lindenwood University
Michelle Whitacre is an assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Lindenwood University. She has a certification in Instructional Design from the Online Learning Consortium, and her current research focuses on utilizing technology to enhance teacher education. She is passionate about educational equity and seeks to design learning experiences for teacher candidates that nurture innovation and professional creativity.
Dr. Danna Wren
Director of Course Design & Technology
University of Missouri-Columbia
Dr. Danna Wren is the director of Course Design & Technology, which provides instructional design and development support for all MU faculty. She also regularly teaches a course on curriculum development in higher ed and enjoys working with different facets of curricular planning at MU.