Alphabetical Staff Listing
Ronit Ajlen
Associate Director, Coordinator of GSI Initiatives
(734) 763-2880
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Ronit Ajlen earned her B.S. in Psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, followed by her Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology at U-M in the Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Area. She has taught undergraduate psychology courses both as a graduate student instructor (GSI) and as a primary instructor, and her prior research focused on graph comprehension and its instruction. In her current role at CRLT, Ronit's work broadly includes GSI training and development, instructional technology, and assessment. For example, Ronit leads the center's GSI Team, including offering high-level support for CRLT's GSI Teaching Orientation and Graduate Student Instructional Consultant (GSIC) programs, leading the U-M Graduate Teacher Certificate program, and managing the Graduate Student Mentor (GSM) Seminar Series. She regularly consults with faculty, graduate students, and administrators on a wide range of teaching and learning concerns and facilitates a variety of workshops and programs for instructors. Ronit also serves on multiple campus and national committees, including the U-M Teaching and Technology Collaborative and the Professional Organizational Development (POD) Network's Graduate Student, Professional Student, and Postdoctoral Scholar (GPPD) special interest group.
Jeanne Andreoli
Associate Director, Focus on Biological, Physical, and Health Sciences
(734) 764-8181
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Jeanne Andreoli joined the CRLT team in 2018 to focus on biological, physical, and health sciences teaching and learning initiatives at the University of Michigan. She has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Wayne State University's School of Medicine, and a B.S. in Biology and Communications from the University of Michigan. She brings over 20 years of experience in higher education, in both faculty and administrative roles. Her research interests are grounded in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, including learning theory, pedagogy, and assessment. She has worked closely with the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) and Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) to scale up and institutionalize efforts to transform undergraduate STEM learning environments, primarily through facilities planning, faculty development, leadership development, and curricular design and development. She has been involved in several major cross-institutional initiatives, including ReBUILDetroit, an NIH- funded initiative aimed at improving opportunities for underrepresented students in biomedical research.
Sara Armstrong
Director, CRLT Theatre Program
(734) 615-8309
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Sara Armstrong is the Director of the CRLT Theatre Program. A theatre artist with over twenty-five years of experience as a performer, playwright, director, arts administrator, and educator, Sara establishes strategic priorities for the theatre program that align with the Players’ commitments to promoting positive change in higher education spaces via performance-centered professional development. In her role, she writes scripts, directs new pieces, and designs and facilitates sessions for university instructors and academic leaders. In addition to her work with the theatre program, she also serves on the Senior Leadership Team at CRLT, the advisory board of the Inclusive History Project, and was a founding member of ADVANCE’s RISE committee. Sara earned a Ph.D. from the Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama program at Northwestern University. Her dissertation focused on the role operating theories of embodiment play in advantaging and disadvantaging particular student bodies in performance learning spaces.
Audra Baleisis
Assistant Director for Core Programs, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 615-9263
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Audra Baleisis earned a B.S. in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Illinois in 1995, an M.Phil. in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 1996, and an M.S. in Astrophysics and a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Arizona in 2000 and 2009, respectively. She spent 2009-2016 living in Zurich, Switzerland where she worked in the Physics Education group at ETH University and as Academic Platform Coordinator for the Swiss National Science Foundation PlanetS exoplanet research program. She joined CRLT-Engin in 2016 as the ETC Program Coordinator, helping experienced Engineering Teaching Consultants provide CoE GSIs with instructional support.
Blair Beuche
Associate Director, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Blair Beuche holds a B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and M.A. and Ph.D. in Education at the University of Michigan. With nearly 20 years of experience in education, Blair’s background spans teaching, educator development, educational research, and curriculum development. She began her career as a high school teacher and has since held positions in instructional coaching, consulting, teaching, research, program management, and school administration across the U.S. and the K-12 and higher education sectors. Blair’s professional and research interests focus on approaches to support communities, systems, and educational institutions to build learning environments where all students can thrive. At CRLT, Blair works on the Foundational Course Initiative as an Associate Director. Her areas of expertise include, pedagogical training and programming, qualitative assessment, student-centered pedagogies and assessment design, and large-course design.
Jacqui Blue
Casting Directing Specialist
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Jacqui Blue earned her Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy with an emphasis on Voice (soprano) at the University of Louisville. She established herself as a beloved local singer-songwriter and performer, and held a position as an Artistic Associate at the Commonwealth Theatre Center in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, she worked with young actors pre-K - 12th with their Blue Apple Outreach program and the Walden Conservatory before joining the CRLT Players in 2022. Jacqui brings to the Players a wealth of experience in performing, directing, improvisation, music composition and direction, and promoting meaningful change through the arts. In her current role she manages the recruitment and casting of performers and musicians, as well as rehearsal coordination, and directing film and plays for The CRLT Players.
Andy Burkhardt
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 764-3613
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Andy Burkhardt’s focus is to bring a human-centered perspective to technology in the design of learning experiences as an Instructional Consultant for the Foundational Course Initiative. Before joining CRLT, Andy consulted with, trained, and supported faculty and staff at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health in the use of educational technologies. Prior to joining the University of Michigan, he was the Assistant Director for Digital Strategy at the Champlain College Library in Burlington, VT where he managed library technologies and taught numerous inquiry-based information literacy sessions as part of the undergraduate Core Curriculum. He received his M.A. in Library and Information Studies from UW-Madison and his B.A. in Philosophy at St, John’s University in Collegeville, MN.
Michelle Calka
Instructional Consultant, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Michelle Calka earned her B.A. in Communication and Digital Media Studies at Juniata College, her M.A. in Digital Storytelling at Ball State University, and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies at Ohio University. Previously, she was an associate professor of Communication Studies at Manchester University, where she taught courses in media literacy, social media, research methods, health communication, interpersonal communication, and small group communication. She collaborated with colleagues to redesign and write a new textbook for the first-year general education oral communication course. She also chaired the Communication Studies department, co-directed the Digital Media Arts program, and led the Center for Effective Teaching and Learning. She brings over 18 years of teaching experience and 6 years of faculty development work to her role with the Foundational Course Initiative. Her areas of interest include online communities, backwards course design, and transparency in teaching and learning (TILT).
Liz Caverly
Senior Events Coordinator
(734) 647-4765
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Liz Caverly earned her B.A.A. in Recreation and Event Management from Central Michigan University. As a recreation enthusiast, an active community member, and an avid sports fan, she started her career in the sports industry, supporting and coordinating community outreach programs and initiatives for the Detroit Red Wings. Liz plans and executes a variety of events for CRLT.
Anoff Nicholas Cobblah
Assistant Director
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Anoff Nicholas Cobblah completed his doctorate in English Language & Literature at the University of Michigan. He also holds a B.A. in English and B.S. in physics from the University of Missouri. He combined these interests in his doctoral study: an analysis of nineteenth-century British science writing, which illustrated the benefits that Victorian scientists found by bringing playfulness into their teaching and research. Nick brought a similar enthusiasm for interdisciplinarity to his years of teaching writing courses at U-M, encouraging students to study the writing of various disciplines. His interest in educational and professional development arose while he was a graduate student, assisting CRLT’s Preparing Future Faculty Seminar. He returned to U-M in 2023 and currently supports Graduate Student Instructor training, acts as co-lead for the Graduate Student Instructional Consultants program, consults with faculty and graduate students, and develops resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His current research interests include interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and playful pedagogies.
Rachel Corp
Company Manager
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Rachel Corp is the Company Manager of the CRLT Theatre Program. She graduated from Rochester University with a B.S. in Theatre Management and is currently completing an M.A. in Arts Administration through the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining the CRLT Players, Rachel spent years working as a Production Manager in the university setting. Over the years, she has also worked as a box office manager, stage manager, sound designer, and coordinator. She has Intimacy Choreographer/Coordinator training, holding a Beginner Diploma through Theatrical Intimacy Education. She is also Mental Health First Aid certified. Rachel is an arts administrator that is passionate about supporting artists, facilitating impactful art, and working to shape equitable spaces.
Tazin Daniels
Associate Director
(734) 615-9266
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Tazin Daniels received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2016. Her dissertation was an ethnographic exploration of prescription stimulant use among American college students and was supported by a grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. Tazin came to CRLT with experience in multiple areas of higher education including programmatic assessment and research, online instruction and design, educational technology, interdisciplinary curriculum development, and international GSI training. During her time at MSU, she received three teaching awards and published several pieces on how to teach effectively in digital spaces. As an instructional consultant at CRLT, Tazin runs programs and consults with UM faculty and GSIs on how to improve student learning. Additionally, she is an instructor for the online postdoc short course “High Impact Principles and Practices for STEM education” and helps to run the Graduate Teaching Certification program, GTC+, which focuses on teaching with digital media. Tazin also works closely with faculty from the health sciences and the Center for Interprofessional Education (IPE) through the fellows program, curriculum committee, and other IPE events. She currently serves on the CRLT blog team and runs the Twitter account @UM_CRLT.
Malini Dasgupta
Senior Events Coordinator
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Malini Dasgupta earned her B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Linguistics from the University of Michigan in 2019. She has previously worked in event planning for the non-profit organization Books for a Benefit, where she was involved in the development of K-12 school and community outreach programs and enjoyed facilitating literacy workshops for students.
Mishelle Dimitrova
Administrative Assistant Senior, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 936-3837
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Mishelle Dimitrova earned her B.A. in Communications and Hispanic Studies with a certificate in Public Relations from the University of Michigan- Dearborn. She has nearly eight years of work experience in event management, administration, and communications. During her college years, Mishelle worked at the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Industrial Engineering department where she served as an executive assistant to the department chair, supported faculty and staff, and managed events. In her most recent role, Mishelle was an Events Coordinator at CRLT where she took on an extensive role in various programs and demonstrated a hard work ethic and dependability.
Martha Epperson
Assistant Director
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Martha Epperson earned her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan where she studied Teaching and Teacher Education. In her current role at CRLT, she serves as the lead for LSA-CRLT’s New Lecturer Orientation and supports instructors across campus through a variety of initiatives. As a graduate student at UM, she worked on research projects examining teacher professional development, and as a lecturer, later taught courses such as Schooling in a Multicultural Society, Critical Perspectives on the Global Role of English, and Education Policy and School Improvement. Prior to arriving in Michigan, Dr. Epperson was a Senior English Language Fellow in Chile, a fellowship funded by the US State Department. She worked closely with the Chilean Ministry of Education on teacher professional development initiatives, designing and delivering workshops remotely and in-person throughout the country. Her current research interests focus on the design and delivery of professional development programs for instructors in higher education.
Denise Galarza Sepúlveda
Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 615-9281
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Denise Galarza Sepúlveda is the Director of CRLT's Foundational Course Initiative (FCI). She leads a talented team of consultants in curricular work with faculty and students on course design teams to ensure inclusive and engaging learning experiences for students in gateway courses. She collaborates with department leaders across an array of disciplines to help further the university’s mission to provide transformative learning for all students. She also helps provide strategic direction for the Center as a member of CRLT's Senior Leadership Team. Before joining CRLT, she worked in the Undergraduate Dean’s Office in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts as director of the community-based learning office and was responsible for establishing new initiatives, logistical support, and student fellowships to help expand high-impact learning.
Dr. Galarza Sepúlveda received her Master's degree in Spanish from Purdue and her Ph.D. from Emory University. She was a member of the faculty at Lafayette College for twelve years in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, where she also chaired the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program. Throughout her career, she has received grants and awards for her teaching and course design.
Victoria A. Genetin
Associate Director of Equity and Accessibility
Coordinator for Equity and Accessibility
(734) 763-2878
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Victoria A. Genetin completed her Ph.D. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University in 2012. She also holds her M.A. in Women’s Studies from Texas Woman’s University, as well as a B.S.W. and M.S.W. in Social work from the University of Akron. Victoria taught several undergraduate and graduate courses, served as an Undergraduate Academic Advisor, and worked as a writing consultant in the Writing Across the Curriculum program at The Ohio State University before joining CRLT in 2014. She currently serves as the Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where she supports faculty and graduate student instructors in their teaching through one-on-one consultations, and classroom observations, as well as collecting and synthesizing student feedback, particularly around questions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She directs Inclusive Teaching at Michigan May Series (IT@M) and the Leo Lecturers Inclusive Teaching Program. Additionally, Victoria develops and facilitates customized programming focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university and the medical school.
Michelle Getchell
Chief of Staff
(734) 936-0641
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Michelle Getchell is the Chief of Staff (COS) at CRLT and contributes to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). She joined the Center in 2016. In her role as COS, Michelle collaborates with the Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching & Executive Director and SLT to develop and implement the Center’s strategic plan, driving the organization’s strategic initiatives. She oversees daily operations, ensures alignment with strategic priorities, and manages key Center-wide projects. Michelle holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), a bachelor's degree in Business Management (BSM), and an associate's degree in Human Services from Cornerstone University. With over twenty-five years of leadership and management experience, she optimizes SLT meetings, fosters effective communication and collaboration, and supports staff through tailored coaching sessions. Michelle is committed to continuously improving the Center’s operations and impact while fostering a collaborative and effective work environment. Michelle is also dedicated to community service, exemplified by her role as Executive Director for Twinless Twins Support Group International.
Laura Gonzalez-Garcia
Director of Operations and Events
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Laura Gonzalez-Garcia holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Wayne State University. She rejoined CRLT in 2022 as the Operations and Events Coordinator and is currently the Director of Operations and Events (O&E). In this role, she manages the O&E staff and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Hayley Heaton
Assistant Director
(734) 615-9267
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Hayley Heaton earned a B.A. in Psychology from Emory University, an M.A. in English from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of Michigan. After completing her Ph.D., she worked as a lecturer in the Linguistics department and assisted with multiple research projects at the university, including “Undergraduate Education in the Third Century” and the “Climate Survey of Linguists and Language Researchers.” She joined CRLT in 2019, where she uses her classroom experience and her skills as a sociolinguist to inform her work in assessment. In her current role, she works with faculty and staff to assess a wide range of questions at the program and course levels. She has built and analyzed assessments of unit and university programming using quantitative and qualitative methods and has facilitated workshops on equitable assessment practices.
Waleed Helweh
Assistant Director for Assessment
(734) 647-7306
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
[email protected]
Dr. Waleed Helweh received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) in 2023. His doctoral dissertation examined the impact of structural factors on the energy transfer and migration dynamics of materials for solar energy conversion. He has also completed a B.A. in Chemistry at Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT) in 2017. Throughout his education, Waleed has put great emphasis on the value of inclusive and equitable teaching practices and how they particularly relate to the STEM disciplines. Waleed joined the CRLT in 2023 as an Assessment Specialist where he collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to provide units with the data and assessment tools to improve their programs, with a particular focus on data-driven equitable assessment. He has facilitated focus groups, interviews, surveys, and led workshops. Waleed is currently a co-lead for the LSA Teaching Academy, a facilitator for the LSA Departmental Action Teams for Equitable Teaching program, and co-leading CRLT's summer book studies.
Rhonda Holton
Assistant Director for Technology-Informed Pedagogy, CRLT in Engineering
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Rhonda K Holton is a lifelong learner and STEM educator with a passion for people. After earning her B.A. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Colorado in 2012, she worked primarily as a classroom instructor across multiple educational realms, from college to community college to K-12 and public outreach. In 2023, Rhonda earned an M.Ed in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University and joined CRLT-Engin as an Instructional Consultant in 2024. She collaborates with CAEN, NEXUS, and the CoE on topics like flexible instructional delivery, personalized learning, and research-informed technology integration. The swift change in technological tools over the past decade has widened the gap between education research and classroom practice, and generative AI has demonstrated the importance of a human-centered, equitable approach to technology integration in the classroom. Rhonda wants to empower both instructors and learners to take control of these tools and of their learning data, using them to support decision-making, spur self-reflection, and connect with the learning community.
Ryan Hudson
Assistant to the Executive Director, Managing Director, and the Senior Leadership Team
(734) 763-0159
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Ryan Hudson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from Carleton College and the University of Michigan, respectively. Certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language by the University of Liverpool, she did so in Prague from 1989 to 1991. As a GSI, she received teaching awards from Rackham and the department of political science. From 2006 to 2015, Ryan led CRLT's event planning team and provided general research and editing support. In 2016, she became Matt's assistant, and she also supports the teaching award competitions.
Patricia Jaimes
Assistant Director for Student-centered Instruction & Academic Excellence, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 615- 0848
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Patricia Jaimes earned a B.S. degree in 2015 in Earth Science from Northeastern Illinois University, and a dual Ph.D. in 2021 in Geological Sciences and Environmental Science and Policy from Michigan State University (MSU).
Matthew Kaplan
Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching & Executive Director
(734) 763-0159
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Matthew Kaplan joined CRLT in 1994. He was appointed as CRLT's Executive Director in 2015 and Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching in 2026. He works closely with leadership at the University of Michigan to identify and respond to emerging needs, most recently around student success and GenAI with the Inaugural Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. Together with the Provost’s Office he organizes new faculty orientation and designs professional development programs for U-M department chairs and associate deans. As part of the university’s efforts to highlight and reward outstanding teaching, he coordinates two awards: the Thurnau Professorship and Provost’s Teaching Innovation Prize. He is a member of U-M's Well-Being Collective Steering Committee and the Executive Board of U-M's Raoul Wallenberg Institute. Internally, Matt chairs CRLT’s Senior Leadership Team, partnering with CRLT’s directors on strategic direction for the work of their areas. Nationally, he collaborates with fellow center directors in the Ivy Plus and Big Ten networks. Matt received his Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he worked at UNC’s Center for Teaching and Learning for three years before joining CRLT. He has published on the academic hiring process, metacognition, and the use of interactive theatre as a faculty development tool. With former Executive Director Connie Cook, Matt edited Advancing a Culture of Teaching on Campus: How a Teaching Center Can Make a Difference (Stylus Publishing, 2011).
Carol Lagemann
Data & Office Manager, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 615-9263
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Carol Lagemann earned a B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Music from Truman State University, in 2006 and 2008, respectively. She also studied Music at the University of Michigan from 2011-2012. Carol previously worked for U-M in the Mechanical Engineering department in the College of Engineering. In her current role, Carol supports CRLT in Engineering programs, maintains the program’s social media, and supports the CRLT-Engin Director.
Linda LaNoue
Administrative & Project Coordinator, CRLT in Engineering
208 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Linda LaNoue earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science with a concentration in Community Governance & Advocacy from Michigan State University in 2013. She earned her M.A. in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2020. As the Program and Event Administrator for CRLT-Engin, she supports the organization and logistical aspects of programming especially the Engineering GSI Teaching Orientation, Engineering Teaching Consultants, and HTML communications.
Deborah Lichti
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Deborah Lichti earned her B.S. in Fisheries and Aquatic Science at Purdue University and her M.S. and Ph.D. at East Carolina University in Biological Sciences specializing in coastal ecology. While completing her doctoral studies, she redesigned the second-semester introductory biology laboratory, integrating authentic research experiences using citizen science. After joining the University of Delaware in the Interdisciplinary Science Learning Laboratories, she continued developing authentic learning experiences for students in her integrated biology and chemistry course. Debbie has also created pedagogical training programs for graduate assistants teaching lab courses and mentored both undergraduate and graduate students interested in teaching. Her areas of expertise include qualitative and quantitative assessment, STEM curriculum development, and graduate student training.
Elizabeth Mann Levesque
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 764-1248
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Elizabeth Mann Levesque earned her B.A. and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Michigan. After completing her undergraduate degree, Elizabeth taught middle school social studies in Miami, FL as a Teach for America corps member. She returned to Michigan for her graduate studies where she specialized in American politics and political institutions and engaged in research on early childhood education and K-12 education policy. Her dissertation on presidential policymaking at the state level was recognized with a Rackham ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award, and as a Graduate Student Instructor Elizabeth received a John W. Kingdon Teaching Award from the Department of Political Science. Subsequently, as a fellow at the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, she studied a wide range of education policy issues, including civics education, employer and community college workforce development partnerships, and federal regulation related to the Every Student Succeeds Act. At CRLT, Elizabeth works on the Foundational Course Initiative as a student support and classroom climate consultant.
Richard Marks
Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, CRLT in Engineering
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Richard Marks earned a B.S. in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Florida State University in 2022. Prior to coming to the University of Michigan, he served as a postdoctoral research fellow with the University of Virginia’s Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) and as a research associate with Michigan State’s Evidence-Driven Learning Innovation team. Richard joined CRLT-Engin in 2025 as their curriculum and assessment specialist.
In addition to his work with curriculum and assessment, Richard has a strong background using quantitative and qualitative research methods to explore how to better support students who are neurodivergent in both K-12 and higher education settings, and is passionate about advocating for equitable education.
Malinda Matney
Managing Director for Educational Development and Assessment Services
(734) 936-1135
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Malinda Matney is Managing Director, Educational Development and Assessment Services at CRLT. In this capacity, she works with U-M's faculty and academic units on the assessment of student learning, evaluation of educational initiatives, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Her research and teaching interests include the assessment of program outcomes and analysis of trends in student behaviors and expectations. Her recent studies have included examinations of the undergraduate first-year experience, Millennial and Global Generations, social networking for faculty and students, first-generation student issues, and climate for students, faculty, and staff. She co-authored the 2014 book, The influence of Fraternity and Sorority Involvement: A Critical Analysis of Research (1996-2013), and contributed a chapter to the 2018 book, Hazing: Destroying Young Lives. Outside CRLT, Malinda serves as a speaker on generational trends, risk management trends, and values-based leadership. She has served as National President of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the first female to do so, and was a foundational member of the Board of Directors of HazingPrevention.Org. Malinda earned her bachelor's degree in music from Wichita State University, her M.Mus. in music literature from the University of Colorado, her Ed.S. in higher education administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and her Ph.D. in higher and postsecondary education from the University of Michigan.
Deborah Meizlish
Senior Associate Director
(734) 763-2396
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Deborah Meizlish earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. In her role at CRLT, she consults with administrators, faculty, and GSIs on course and curricular issues, including assessment; plans university-wide programs on teaching, learning, and academic leadership; and conducts seminars on a wide variety of pedagogical topics. Deborah leads CRLT's curriculum team and serves on CRLT's assessment and GSI teams. Deborah regularly works with faculty and administrators across U-M, with a particular focus on LSA and professional school programs in the social sciences. She was part of the inaugural team for the LSA Teaching Academy and continues to direct it. She also co-facilitates the LSA Large Course Initiative, a faculty learning community for large-course instructors in LSA. She was co-principal investigator on “The Impact of Meta-Cognitive Strategies within Writing in the Disciplines: Experiments to Improve Writing and Critical Thinking,” funded by the Teagle and Spencer Foundations. Deborah’s research and writing focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning, academic hiring, preparing future faculty developers, and academic integrity. Her most recent article, entitled "How search committees assess teaching: Lessons for CTLs" and co-written with colleagues from Carnegie Mellon's Eberly Center, was recently published in To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development.
Bethany Morrison
Assistant Director
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Bethany N. Morrison consults with instructors on a wide range of teaching topics including classroom engagement and in-class activities, course and assignment design, and instructional technology. She co-directs the Large Course Initiative, a faculty learning community for large-course instructors in LSA, and the Preparing Future Faculty Seminar, a multi-week program for doctoral candidates that focuses on the academic job search and teaching in one’s first faculty role. At CRLT, Bethany seeks out assessment projects, which provide an opportunity for her to use the research design and data analytic skills she developed as a quantitative social scientist. Prior to joining CRLT, she worked at the Center for the Advancement of Teaching at Wake Forest University, supporting faculty in the unprecedented shift to pandemic teaching. Bethany has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Emory University and teaches courses on American politics, policy-making, and the judiciary.
Tershia Pinder–Grover
Director, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching in Engineering
208 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Tershia Pinder-Grover earned a B.S. degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1999, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2002 and 2006, respectively. She joined CRLT in August 2005 and became the director of CRLT-Engin in 2016. In this role, she leads a team focused on advancing engineering education in the College of Engineering (CoE) through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and cultivating individual relationships. In collaboration with the Associate Deans in the CoE, she provides leadership on educational priorities, especially as it relates to student success. She also works closely with department chairs to create customized programming to meet the needs of their faculty. Her current research interests focus on the adoption of inclusive teaching practices for engineering instructors.
Heather Rypkema
Head of Learning Analytics and Associate Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 764-7868
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Heather Rypkema is a founding member of the Foundational Course Initiative team and has served as an Assessment & Analytics specialist since 2018. She earned a B.A. in Chemistry and Physics, M.A. in Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Chemical Physics, all from Harvard University. After her postdoc at Stanford University, Heather held faculty appointments at the University of Louisville (Chemistry), Purdue University (Chemistry), and University of Michigan (CLASP). She has more than 20 years of experience as an instructor in higher education, having taught as an undergraduate, graduate student, postdoc, and faculty member. As part of her FCI portfolio, she has leveraged Learning Analytics to develop evaluative tools that inform course design and promote equitable teaching practices. Her analytics work incorporates course-specific surveys and data about student engagement with instructional technology platforms as well as Canvas data and the Learning Analytics Architecture database (LARC). In 2022, Heather took on the inaugural role of Head of Learning Analytics, in order to lead the Center’s growing efforts to provide analytics services to enhance teaching across the entire University.
Christine Simonian
Associate Director, CRLT Theatre Program
(734) 764-8215
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Christine Simonian (she/her) is the Associate Director of the CRLT Theatre Program. She earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama from Northwestern University in 2016. She also holds an M.A. in Theatre Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a B.A. in Drama from the University of California, Irvine; and a certificate in Acting from the Stella Adler Conservatory, NYU. She has taught classes in acting, theatre history, and theory; and has worked as both a dramaturg and a performer. Previously, Christine was an Assistant Director for Faculty Programs and Services at Columbia University's Center for Teaching and Learning and a Graduate Associate at Northwestern University’s Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching. At CRLT, Christine provides strategic direction for the CRLT Theatre Program; integrates programming into college and campus initiatives; and designs, facilitates, and assesses sessions and curricula that promote a more equitable higher education community. She has published work in The Journal of Faculty Development, Theatre Journal, Theatre Survey, and Theatre Topics.
Megan Stowe
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Megan Stowe received her Ph.D. in English from the University of South Florida in 2022. Her research focuses on empathy and kinship as models for climate solutions in Black American, Indigenous, and Post-Colonial literatures. She holds a graduate certificate in Technical and Professional Communication, with an M.A. (Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature) from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in English from SUNY Stony Brook. She brings over 15 years of experience in education from K-12 to higher ed. Her most recent work includes program management for honors living-learning communities, academic advising for honors engineering and pre-health students, curricular design for English service courses, and teaching experiential learning courses on the intersections among literature and social justice. She is passionate about equity and justice in education and empowering students to thrive in their personal and professional goals.
Liesl Topy
Senior Events Coordinator
(734) 936-1360
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Liesl Topy joined the CRLT team as an events coordinator in 2022. She has previously worked in event planning roles for Conlin Travel, Michigan Municipal League, and Marriott International, planning a variety of events from small training to multi-day conferences. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Pennsylvania State University and has a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Event Industry Council.
Michael Trevithick
Administrative Assistant
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Michael Trevithick earned his B.A. in Communications from the University of Michigan - Flint and his M.S. in Sports Media from Valparaiso University. At Valparaiso, he worked as the graduate assistant for the esports program, managing day-to-day operations and a team of student employees. He previously provided administrative and operational support for the Crim Fitness Foundation non-profit organization. At CRLT, Michael oversees student assistants, contributes to the GTC program, and supports grant administration.
Linjue (Jade) Wang
Assistant Director for New Faculty Initiatives, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 763-2974
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Linjue (Jade) Wang recently received her Ph.D. in Engineering Education and M.S. in Industrial Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University (2022). Her doctoral research focused on 1) how engineering students develop empathy during community-based learning (e.g., service-learning) and 2) how engineering educators can integrate empathy into their teaching. Before studying in the U.S., Linjue (Jade) earned her B.E. in Building Environment and Energy Engineering from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University in China (2017). As the instructional consultant, she supports CRLT-Engin's initiatives focusing on faculty and lecturer development within the College of Engineering.
Stella Weinberg
Events Coordinator
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Stella Weinberg earned her B.A. in Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies from Michigan State University. She has previously served as a College Adviser with the Michigan State University College Advising Corps at West Ottawa High School in Holland, MI, where she assisted first-generation and underrepresented students as they applied to college and other post-secondary opportunities.
Esther Grace Witte
Assistant Director of Equity and Accessibility
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Esther Grace Witte (they/them/theirs) joined CRLT full-time in 2022, after several years of involvement as a Graduate Student Instructional Consultant, GSITO facilitator, and occasional research assistant. Dr. Witte specializes in anti-racist pedagogies, accessibility in teaching and learning, and the teaching of writing. Their current priorities include consultation and course development for LSA’s Race and Ethnicity Requirement (R&E), and building CRLT’s workshop and consultation offerings on Teaching for Accessibility. Having received their Ph.D. in English from the University of Michigan in 2022, their dissertation presents a theory of anti-oppressive writing pedagogy, using concepts of metaphor (trope), access, and journal-keeping to develop tools for transformative classroom practice. They completed their B.A. (English and Theater) in 2010 at the University of Rochester (NY).
Ina Zaimi
Instructional Consultant, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Ina Zaimi received her B.S. in Biomolecular Science and English, M.S. in Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. Ina also received her secondary education certification in Chemistry and English from the State of Michigan. Humanizing chemistry incited her transition from teaching English, to teaching chemistry, to qualitatively researching the teaching and learning of chemistry. Her research explored organic chemistry students’ reasoning, from tasks designed and conducted in a research setting to activities and assignments designed and implemented in a classroom setting. Design does not (and should not) equate implementation, so her research explored how chemistry graduate student instructors implement instructional materials and facilitate organic chemistry students’ reasoning in the classroom. Therefore, her research combined the learning and teaching of organic chemistry and proposed how research can be transferred into instruction. Ina has been a Graduate Student Instructor for general chemistry, organic chemistry, and first-year writing, and she has received awards for her teaching. Furthermore, Ina has been a Graduate Student Instructional Coach in the Chemistry Department and a Graduate Student Instructional Consultant in the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, and she has received awards for her leadership. Her positions have been framed by her commitments to teaching with subjectivity and empathy and training for equity-focused teaching.
Jamie Zawistowski
Senior Business Administrator
Jamie Zawistowski is a Senior Business Administrator for several units reporting to the U-M Office of the Provost. She joined U-M in 2005 and has held roles with responsibilities in accounting, finance, budgeting, facilities, human resources, grant reporting, accounts receivable and compliance. In her current role, she provides business administrative functions for the ADVANCE Program, CEW+, CRLT and the Faculty Senate Office. Jamie holds an MBA from Villanova University and a BS in Finance from Saint Joseph's University. Jamie enjoys the mix of responsibilities that come with working in a small unit at U-M such as strategic planning, continuous improvement, recruiting/hiring, change management and budgeting.
Sarah Zelner
Assistant Director
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Sarah Zelner (she/her) completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania in 2016. She holds a Master's Degree of Public Health from Columbia University and a BA in Sociology from Bryn Mawr College. After completing her PhD, Sarah came to UM as a postdoc in the Sociology department, where she taught several undergraduate courses at the intersection of urban inequality and health, provided instructional consulting to GSIs through CRLT, and served as a facilitator for several CRLT pedagogical trainings. Prior to joining CRLT in 2023, she served as an instructional consultant on the revision of the MPH core curriculum at UM School of Public Health. Sarah provides consultations to faculty and departments on curriculum design or redesign, on developing or improving individual courses, and is particularly interested in applied and experiential learning opportunities.
Brittany Zydorczyk
Finance and Human Resource Specialist
Brittany Zydorczyk is the Finance and Human Resource Specialist for the ADVANCE Program, Center for Education of Women+, Faculty Senate, & CRLT. She works closely alongside the Senior Business Administrator to support these departments. Brittany graduated from the University of Toledo with a BBA in Finance and a minor in Information Systems.
Senior Leadership Team
Matthew Kaplan
Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching & Executive Director
(734) 763-0159
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Matthew Kaplan joined CRLT in 1994. He was appointed as CRLT's Executive Director in 2015 and Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching in 2026. He works closely with leadership at the University of Michigan to identify and respond to emerging needs, most recently around student success and GenAI with the Inaugural Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. Together with the Provost’s Office he organizes new faculty orientation and designs professional development programs for U-M department chairs and associate deans. As part of the university’s efforts to highlight and reward outstanding teaching, he coordinates two awards: the Thurnau Professorship and Provost’s Teaching Innovation Prize. He is a member of U-M's Well-Being Collective Steering Committee and the Executive Board of U-M's Raoul Wallenberg Institute. Internally, Matt chairs CRLT’s Senior Leadership Team, partnering with CRLT’s directors on strategic direction for the work of their areas. Nationally, he collaborates with fellow center directors in the Ivy Plus and Big Ten networks. Matt received his Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he worked at UNC’s Center for Teaching and Learning for three years before joining CRLT. He has published on the academic hiring process, metacognition, and the use of interactive theatre as a faculty development tool. With former Executive Director Connie Cook, Matt edited Advancing a Culture of Teaching on Campus: How a Teaching Center Can Make a Difference (Stylus Publishing, 2011).
Sara Armstrong
Director, CRLT Theatre Program
(734) 615-8309
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Sara Armstrong is the Director of the CRLT Theatre Program. A theatre artist with over twenty-five years of experience as a performer, playwright, director, arts administrator, and educator, Sara establishes strategic priorities for the theatre program that align with the Players’ commitments to promoting positive change in higher education spaces via performance-centered professional development. In her role, she writes scripts, directs new pieces, and designs and facilitates sessions for university instructors and academic leaders. In addition to her work with the theatre program, she also serves on the Senior Leadership Team at CRLT, the advisory board of the Inclusive History Project, and was a founding member of ADVANCE’s RISE committee. Sara earned a Ph.D. from the Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama program at Northwestern University. Her dissertation focused on the role operating theories of embodiment play in advantaging and disadvantaging particular student bodies in performance learning spaces.
Denise Galarza Sepúlveda
Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 615-9281
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Denise Galarza Sepúlveda is the Director of CRLT's Foundational Course Initiative (FCI). She leads a talented team of consultants in curricular work with faculty and students on course design teams to ensure inclusive and engaging learning experiences for students in gateway courses. She collaborates with department leaders across an array of disciplines to help further the university’s mission to provide transformative learning for all students. She also helps provide strategic direction for the Center as a member of CRLT's Senior Leadership Team. Before joining CRLT, she worked in the Undergraduate Dean’s Office in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts as director of the community-based learning office and was responsible for establishing new initiatives, logistical support, and student fellowships to help expand high-impact learning.
Dr. Galarza Sepúlveda received her Master's degree in Spanish from Purdue and her Ph.D. from Emory University. She was a member of the faculty at Lafayette College for twelve years in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, where she also chaired the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program. Throughout her career, she has received grants and awards for her teaching and course design.
Michelle Getchell
Chief of Staff
(734) 936-0641
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Michelle Getchell is the Chief of Staff (COS) at CRLT and contributes to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). She joined the Center in 2016. In her role as COS, Michelle collaborates with the Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching & Executive Director and SLT to develop and implement the Center’s strategic plan, driving the organization’s strategic initiatives. She oversees daily operations, ensures alignment with strategic priorities, and manages key Center-wide projects. Michelle holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), a bachelor's degree in Business Management (BSM), and an associate's degree in Human Services from Cornerstone University. With over twenty-five years of leadership and management experience, she optimizes SLT meetings, fosters effective communication and collaboration, and supports staff through tailored coaching sessions. Michelle is committed to continuously improving the Center’s operations and impact while fostering a collaborative and effective work environment. Michelle is also dedicated to community service, exemplified by her role as Executive Director for Twinless Twins Support Group International.
Laura Gonzalez-Garcia
Director of Operations and Events
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Laura Gonzalez-Garcia holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Wayne State University. She rejoined CRLT in 2022 as the Operations and Events Coordinator and is currently the Director of Operations and Events (O&E). In this role, she manages the O&E staff and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Malinda Matney
Managing Director for Educational Development and Assessment Services
(734) 936-1135
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Malinda Matney is Managing Director, Educational Development and Assessment Services at CRLT. In this capacity, she works with U-M's faculty and academic units on the assessment of student learning, evaluation of educational initiatives, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Her research and teaching interests include the assessment of program outcomes and analysis of trends in student behaviors and expectations. Her recent studies have included examinations of the undergraduate first-year experience, Millennial and Global Generations, social networking for faculty and students, first-generation student issues, and climate for students, faculty, and staff. She co-authored the 2014 book, The influence of Fraternity and Sorority Involvement: A Critical Analysis of Research (1996-2013), and contributed a chapter to the 2018 book, Hazing: Destroying Young Lives. Outside CRLT, Malinda serves as a speaker on generational trends, risk management trends, and values-based leadership. She has served as National President of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the first female to do so, and was a foundational member of the Board of Directors of HazingPrevention.Org. Malinda earned her bachelor's degree in music from Wichita State University, her M.Mus. in music literature from the University of Colorado, her Ed.S. in higher education administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and her Ph.D. in higher and postsecondary education from the University of Michigan.
Tershia Pinder–Grover
Director, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching in Engineering
208 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Tershia Pinder-Grover earned a B.S. degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1999, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2002 and 2006, respectively. She joined CRLT in August 2005 and became the director of CRLT-Engin in 2016. In this role, she leads a team focused on advancing engineering education in the College of Engineering (CoE) through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and cultivating individual relationships. In collaboration with the Associate Deans in the CoE, she provides leadership on educational priorities, especially as it relates to student success. She also works closely with department chairs to create customized programming to meet the needs of their faculty. Her current research interests focus on the adoption of inclusive teaching practices for engineering instructors.
Consulting and Assessment Staff
Malinda Matney
Managing Director for Educational Development and Assessment Services
(734) 936-1135
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Malinda Matney is Managing Director, Educational Development and Assessment Services at CRLT. In this capacity, she works with U-M's faculty and academic units on the assessment of student learning, evaluation of educational initiatives, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Her research and teaching interests include the assessment of program outcomes and analysis of trends in student behaviors and expectations. Her recent studies have included examinations of the undergraduate first-year experience, Millennial and Global Generations, social networking for faculty and students, first-generation student issues, and climate for students, faculty, and staff. She co-authored the 2014 book, The influence of Fraternity and Sorority Involvement: A Critical Analysis of Research (1996-2013), and contributed a chapter to the 2018 book, Hazing: Destroying Young Lives. Outside CRLT, Malinda serves as a speaker on generational trends, risk management trends, and values-based leadership. She has served as National President of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the first female to do so, and was a foundational member of the Board of Directors of HazingPrevention.Org. Malinda earned her bachelor's degree in music from Wichita State University, her M.Mus. in music literature from the University of Colorado, her Ed.S. in higher education administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and her Ph.D. in higher and postsecondary education from the University of Michigan.
Ronit Ajlen
Associate Director, Coordinator of GSI Initiatives
(734) 763-2880
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Ronit Ajlen earned her B.S. in Psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, followed by her Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology at U-M in the Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Area. She has taught undergraduate psychology courses both as a graduate student instructor (GSI) and as a primary instructor, and her prior research focused on graph comprehension and its instruction. In her current role at CRLT, Ronit's work broadly includes GSI training and development, instructional technology, and assessment. For example, Ronit leads the center's GSI Team, including offering high-level support for CRLT's GSI Teaching Orientation and Graduate Student Instructional Consultant (GSIC) programs, leading the U-M Graduate Teacher Certificate program, and managing the Graduate Student Mentor (GSM) Seminar Series. She regularly consults with faculty, graduate students, and administrators on a wide range of teaching and learning concerns and facilitates a variety of workshops and programs for instructors. Ronit also serves on multiple campus and national committees, including the U-M Teaching and Technology Collaborative and the Professional Organizational Development (POD) Network's Graduate Student, Professional Student, and Postdoctoral Scholar (GPPD) special interest group.
Jeanne Andreoli
Associate Director, Focus on Biological, Physical, and Health Sciences
(734) 764-8181
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Jeanne Andreoli joined the CRLT team in 2018 to focus on biological, physical, and health sciences teaching and learning initiatives at the University of Michigan. She has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Wayne State University's School of Medicine, and a B.S. in Biology and Communications from the University of Michigan. She brings over 20 years of experience in higher education, in both faculty and administrative roles. Her research interests are grounded in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, including learning theory, pedagogy, and assessment. She has worked closely with the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) and Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) to scale up and institutionalize efforts to transform undergraduate STEM learning environments, primarily through facilities planning, faculty development, leadership development, and curricular design and development. She has been involved in several major cross-institutional initiatives, including ReBUILDetroit, an NIH- funded initiative aimed at improving opportunities for underrepresented students in biomedical research.
Anoff Nicholas Cobblah
Assistant Director
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Anoff Nicholas Cobblah completed his doctorate in English Language & Literature at the University of Michigan. He also holds a B.A. in English and B.S. in physics from the University of Missouri. He combined these interests in his doctoral study: an analysis of nineteenth-century British science writing, which illustrated the benefits that Victorian scientists found by bringing playfulness into their teaching and research. Nick brought a similar enthusiasm for interdisciplinarity to his years of teaching writing courses at U-M, encouraging students to study the writing of various disciplines. His interest in educational and professional development arose while he was a graduate student, assisting CRLT’s Preparing Future Faculty Seminar. He returned to U-M in 2023 and currently supports Graduate Student Instructor training, acts as co-lead for the Graduate Student Instructional Consultants program, consults with faculty and graduate students, and develops resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His current research interests include interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and playful pedagogies.
Tazin Daniels
Associate Director
(734) 615-9266
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Tazin Daniels received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2016. Her dissertation was an ethnographic exploration of prescription stimulant use among American college students and was supported by a grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. Tazin came to CRLT with experience in multiple areas of higher education including programmatic assessment and research, online instruction and design, educational technology, interdisciplinary curriculum development, and international GSI training. During her time at MSU, she received three teaching awards and published several pieces on how to teach effectively in digital spaces. As an instructional consultant at CRLT, Tazin runs programs and consults with UM faculty and GSIs on how to improve student learning. Additionally, she is an instructor for the online postdoc short course “High Impact Principles and Practices for STEM education” and helps to run the Graduate Teaching Certification program, GTC+, which focuses on teaching with digital media. Tazin also works closely with faculty from the health sciences and the Center for Interprofessional Education (IPE) through the fellows program, curriculum committee, and other IPE events. She currently serves on the CRLT blog team and runs the Twitter account @UM_CRLT.
Martha Epperson
Assistant Director
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Martha Epperson earned her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan where she studied Teaching and Teacher Education. In her current role at CRLT, she serves as the lead for LSA-CRLT’s New Lecturer Orientation and supports instructors across campus through a variety of initiatives. As a graduate student at UM, she worked on research projects examining teacher professional development, and as a lecturer, later taught courses such as Schooling in a Multicultural Society, Critical Perspectives on the Global Role of English, and Education Policy and School Improvement. Prior to arriving in Michigan, Dr. Epperson was a Senior English Language Fellow in Chile, a fellowship funded by the US State Department. She worked closely with the Chilean Ministry of Education on teacher professional development initiatives, designing and delivering workshops remotely and in-person throughout the country. Her current research interests focus on the design and delivery of professional development programs for instructors in higher education.
Victoria A. Genetin
Associate Director of Equity and Accessibility
Coordinator for Equity and Accessibility
(734) 763-2878
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Victoria A. Genetin completed her Ph.D. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University in 2012. She also holds her M.A. in Women’s Studies from Texas Woman’s University, as well as a B.S.W. and M.S.W. in Social work from the University of Akron. Victoria taught several undergraduate and graduate courses, served as an Undergraduate Academic Advisor, and worked as a writing consultant in the Writing Across the Curriculum program at The Ohio State University before joining CRLT in 2014. She currently serves as the Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where she supports faculty and graduate student instructors in their teaching through one-on-one consultations, and classroom observations, as well as collecting and synthesizing student feedback, particularly around questions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She directs Inclusive Teaching at Michigan May Series (IT@M) and the Leo Lecturers Inclusive Teaching Program. Additionally, Victoria develops and facilitates customized programming focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university and the medical school.
Hayley Heaton
Assistant Director
(734) 615-9267
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Hayley Heaton earned a B.A. in Psychology from Emory University, an M.A. in English from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of Michigan. After completing her Ph.D., she worked as a lecturer in the Linguistics department and assisted with multiple research projects at the university, including “Undergraduate Education in the Third Century” and the “Climate Survey of Linguists and Language Researchers.” She joined CRLT in 2019, where she uses her classroom experience and her skills as a sociolinguist to inform her work in assessment. In her current role, she works with faculty and staff to assess a wide range of questions at the program and course levels. She has built and analyzed assessments of unit and university programming using quantitative and qualitative methods and has facilitated workshops on equitable assessment practices.
Waleed Helweh
Assistant Director for Assessment
(734) 647-7306
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
[email protected]
Dr. Waleed Helweh received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) in 2023. His doctoral dissertation examined the impact of structural factors on the energy transfer and migration dynamics of materials for solar energy conversion. He has also completed a B.A. in Chemistry at Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT) in 2017. Throughout his education, Waleed has put great emphasis on the value of inclusive and equitable teaching practices and how they particularly relate to the STEM disciplines. Waleed joined the CRLT in 2023 as an Assessment Specialist where he collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to provide units with the data and assessment tools to improve their programs, with a particular focus on data-driven equitable assessment. He has facilitated focus groups, interviews, surveys, and led workshops. Waleed is currently a co-lead for the LSA Teaching Academy, a facilitator for the LSA Departmental Action Teams for Equitable Teaching program, and co-leading CRLT's summer book studies.
Deborah Meizlish
Senior Associate Director
(734) 763-2396
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Deborah Meizlish earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. In her role at CRLT, she consults with administrators, faculty, and GSIs on course and curricular issues, including assessment; plans university-wide programs on teaching, learning, and academic leadership; and conducts seminars on a wide variety of pedagogical topics. Deborah leads CRLT's curriculum team and serves on CRLT's assessment and GSI teams. Deborah regularly works with faculty and administrators across U-M, with a particular focus on LSA and professional school programs in the social sciences. She was part of the inaugural team for the LSA Teaching Academy and continues to direct it. She also co-facilitates the LSA Large Course Initiative, a faculty learning community for large-course instructors in LSA. She was co-principal investigator on “The Impact of Meta-Cognitive Strategies within Writing in the Disciplines: Experiments to Improve Writing and Critical Thinking,” funded by the Teagle and Spencer Foundations. Deborah’s research and writing focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning, academic hiring, preparing future faculty developers, and academic integrity. Her most recent article, entitled "How search committees assess teaching: Lessons for CTLs" and co-written with colleagues from Carnegie Mellon's Eberly Center, was recently published in To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development.
Bethany Morrison
Assistant Director
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Bethany N. Morrison consults with instructors on a wide range of teaching topics including classroom engagement and in-class activities, course and assignment design, and instructional technology. She co-directs the Large Course Initiative, a faculty learning community for large-course instructors in LSA, and the Preparing Future Faculty Seminar, a multi-week program for doctoral candidates that focuses on the academic job search and teaching in one’s first faculty role. At CRLT, Bethany seeks out assessment projects, which provide an opportunity for her to use the research design and data analytic skills she developed as a quantitative social scientist. Prior to joining CRLT, she worked at the Center for the Advancement of Teaching at Wake Forest University, supporting faculty in the unprecedented shift to pandemic teaching. Bethany has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Emory University and teaches courses on American politics, policy-making, and the judiciary.
Esther Grace Witte
Assistant Director of Equity and Accessibility
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Esther Grace Witte (they/them/theirs) joined CRLT full-time in 2022, after several years of involvement as a Graduate Student Instructional Consultant, GSITO facilitator, and occasional research assistant. Dr. Witte specializes in anti-racist pedagogies, accessibility in teaching and learning, and the teaching of writing. Their current priorities include consultation and course development for LSA’s Race and Ethnicity Requirement (R&E), and building CRLT’s workshop and consultation offerings on Teaching for Accessibility. Having received their Ph.D. in English from the University of Michigan in 2022, their dissertation presents a theory of anti-oppressive writing pedagogy, using concepts of metaphor (trope), access, and journal-keeping to develop tools for transformative classroom practice. They completed their B.A. (English and Theater) in 2010 at the University of Rochester (NY).
Sarah Zelner
Assistant Director
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Sarah Zelner (she/her) completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania in 2016. She holds a Master's Degree of Public Health from Columbia University and a BA in Sociology from Bryn Mawr College. After completing her PhD, Sarah came to UM as a postdoc in the Sociology department, where she taught several undergraduate courses at the intersection of urban inequality and health, provided instructional consulting to GSIs through CRLT, and served as a facilitator for several CRLT pedagogical trainings. Prior to joining CRLT in 2023, she served as an instructional consultant on the revision of the MPH core curriculum at UM School of Public Health. Sarah provides consultations to faculty and departments on curriculum design or redesign, on developing or improving individual courses, and is particularly interested in applied and experiential learning opportunities.
Project, Event, and Administrative Staff
Michelle Getchell
Chief of Staff
(734) 936-0641
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Michelle Getchell is the Chief of Staff (COS) at CRLT and contributes to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). She joined the Center in 2016. In her role as COS, Michelle collaborates with the Associate Vice Provost for Learning and Teaching & Executive Director and SLT to develop and implement the Center’s strategic plan, driving the organization’s strategic initiatives. She oversees daily operations, ensures alignment with strategic priorities, and manages key Center-wide projects. Michelle holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), a bachelor's degree in Business Management (BSM), and an associate's degree in Human Services from Cornerstone University. With over twenty-five years of leadership and management experience, she optimizes SLT meetings, fosters effective communication and collaboration, and supports staff through tailored coaching sessions. Michelle is committed to continuously improving the Center’s operations and impact while fostering a collaborative and effective work environment. Michelle is also dedicated to community service, exemplified by her role as Executive Director for Twinless Twins Support Group International.
Liz Caverly
Senior Events Coordinator
(734) 647-4765
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Liz Caverly earned her B.A.A. in Recreation and Event Management from Central Michigan University. As a recreation enthusiast, an active community member, and an avid sports fan, she started her career in the sports industry, supporting and coordinating community outreach programs and initiatives for the Detroit Red Wings. Liz plans and executes a variety of events for CRLT.
Malini Dasgupta
Senior Events Coordinator
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Malini Dasgupta earned her B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Linguistics from the University of Michigan in 2019. She has previously worked in event planning for the non-profit organization Books for a Benefit, where she was involved in the development of K-12 school and community outreach programs and enjoyed facilitating literacy workshops for students.
Laura Gonzalez-Garcia
Director of Operations and Events
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Laura Gonzalez-Garcia holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Wayne State University. She rejoined CRLT in 2022 as the Operations and Events Coordinator and is currently the Director of Operations and Events (O&E). In this role, she manages the O&E staff and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Ryan Hudson
Assistant to the Executive Director, Managing Director, and the Senior Leadership Team
(734) 763-0159
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Ryan Hudson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from Carleton College and the University of Michigan, respectively. Certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language by the University of Liverpool, she did so in Prague from 1989 to 1991. As a GSI, she received teaching awards from Rackham and the department of political science. From 2006 to 2015, Ryan led CRLT's event planning team and provided general research and editing support. In 2016, she became Matt's assistant, and she also supports the teaching award competitions.
Liesl Topy
Senior Events Coordinator
(734) 936-1360
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Liesl Topy joined the CRLT team as an events coordinator in 2022. She has previously worked in event planning roles for Conlin Travel, Michigan Municipal League, and Marriott International, planning a variety of events from small training to multi-day conferences. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Pennsylvania State University and has a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Event Industry Council.
Michael Trevithick
Administrative Assistant
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Michael Trevithick earned his B.A. in Communications from the University of Michigan - Flint and his M.S. in Sports Media from Valparaiso University. At Valparaiso, he worked as the graduate assistant for the esports program, managing day-to-day operations and a team of student employees. He previously provided administrative and operational support for the Crim Fitness Foundation non-profit organization. At CRLT, Michael oversees student assistants, contributes to the GTC program, and supports grant administration.
Stella Weinberg
Events Coordinator
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Stella Weinberg earned her B.A. in Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies from Michigan State University. She has previously served as a College Adviser with the Michigan State University College Advising Corps at West Ottawa High School in Holland, MI, where she assisted first-generation and underrepresented students as they applied to college and other post-secondary opportunities.
Jamie Zawistowski
Senior Business Administrator
Jamie Zawistowski is a Senior Business Administrator for several units reporting to the U-M Office of the Provost. She joined U-M in 2005 and has held roles with responsibilities in accounting, finance, budgeting, facilities, human resources, grant reporting, accounts receivable and compliance. In her current role, she provides business administrative functions for the ADVANCE Program, CEW+, CRLT and the Faculty Senate Office. Jamie holds an MBA from Villanova University and a BS in Finance from Saint Joseph's University. Jamie enjoys the mix of responsibilities that come with working in a small unit at U-M such as strategic planning, continuous improvement, recruiting/hiring, change management and budgeting.
Brittany Zydorczyk
Finance and Human Resource Specialist
Brittany Zydorczyk is the Finance and Human Resource Specialist for the ADVANCE Program, Center for Education of Women+, Faculty Senate, & CRLT. She works closely alongside the Senior Business Administrator to support these departments. Brittany graduated from the University of Toledo with a BBA in Finance and a minor in Information Systems.
CRLT Players Theatre Program
Sara Armstrong
Director, CRLT Theatre Program
(734) 615-8309
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Sara Armstrong is the Director of the CRLT Theatre Program. A theatre artist with over twenty-five years of experience as a performer, playwright, director, arts administrator, and educator, Sara establishes strategic priorities for the theatre program that align with the Players’ commitments to promoting positive change in higher education spaces via performance-centered professional development. In her role, she writes scripts, directs new pieces, and designs and facilitates sessions for university instructors and academic leaders. In addition to her work with the theatre program, she also serves on the Senior Leadership Team at CRLT, the advisory board of the Inclusive History Project, and was a founding member of ADVANCE’s RISE committee. Sara earned a Ph.D. from the Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama program at Northwestern University. Her dissertation focused on the role operating theories of embodiment play in advantaging and disadvantaging particular student bodies in performance learning spaces.
Jacqui Blue
Casting & Directing Specialist
(734) 764-0505
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Jacqui Blue earned her Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy with an emphasis on Voice (soprano) at the University of Louisville. She established herself as a beloved local singer-songwriter and performer, and held a position as an Artistic Associate at the Commonwealth Theatre Center in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, she worked with young actors pre-K - 12th with their Blue Apple Outreach program and the Walden Conservatory before joining the CRLT Players in 2022. Jacqui brings to the Players a wealth of experience in performing, directing, improvisation, music composition and direction, and promoting meaningful change through the arts. In her current role she manages the recruitment and casting of performers and musicians, as well as rehearsal coordination, and directing film and plays for The CRLT Players.
Rachel Corp
Company Manager
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Rachel Corp is the Company Manager of the CRLT Theatre Program. She graduated from Rochester University with a B.S. in Theatre Management and is currently completing an M.A. in Arts Administration through the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining the CRLT Players, Rachel spent years working as a Production Manager in the university setting. Over the years, she has also worked as a box office manager, stage manager, sound designer, and coordinator. She has Intimacy Choreographer/Coordinator training, holding a Beginner Diploma through Theatrical Intimacy Education. She is also Mental Health First Aid certified. Rachel is an arts administrator that is passionate about supporting artists, facilitating impactful art, and working to shape equitable spaces.
Christine Simonian
Associate Director, CRLT Theatre Program
(734) 764-8215
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Christine Simonian (she/her) is the Associate Director of the CRLT Theatre Program. She earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama from Northwestern University in 2016. She also holds an M.A. in Theatre Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a B.A. in Drama from the University of California, Irvine; and a certificate in Acting from the Stella Adler Conservatory, NYU. She has taught classes in acting, theatre history, and theory; and has worked as both a dramaturg and a performer. Previously, Christine was an Assistant Director for Faculty Programs and Services at Columbia University's Center for Teaching and Learning and a Graduate Associate at Northwestern University’s Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching. At CRLT, Christine provides strategic direction for the CRLT Theatre Program; integrates programming into college and campus initiatives; and designs, facilitates, and assesses sessions and curricula that promote a more equitable higher education community. She has published work in The Journal of Faculty Development, Theatre Journal, Theatre Survey, and Theatre Topics.
CRLT in Engineering
Tershia Pinder–Grover
Director, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching in Engineering
208 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Tershia Pinder-Grover earned a B.S. degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1999, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2002 and 2006, respectively. She joined CRLT in August 2005 and became the director of CRLT-Engin in 2016. In this role, she leads a team focused on advancing engineering education in the College of Engineering (CoE) through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and cultivating individual relationships. In collaboration with the Associate Deans in the CoE, she provides leadership on educational priorities, especially as it relates to student success. She also works closely with department chairs to create customized programming to meet the needs of their faculty. Her current research interests focus on the adoption of inclusive teaching practices for engineering instructors.
Audra Baleisis
Assistant Director for Core Programs, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 615-9263
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Audra Baleisis earned a B.S. in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Illinois in 1995, an M.Phil. in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 1996, and an M.S. in Astrophysics and a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Arizona in 2000 and 2009, respectively. She spent 2009-2016 living in Zurich, Switzerland where she worked in the Physics Education group at ETH University and as Academic Platform Coordinator for the Swiss National Science Foundation PlanetS exoplanet research program. She joined CRLT-Engin in 2016 as the ETC Program Coordinator, helping experienced Engineering Teaching Consultants provide CoE GSIs with instructional support.
Rhonda Holton
Assistant Director for Technology-Informed Pedagogy, CRLT in Engineering
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Rhonda K Holton is a lifelong learner and STEM educator with a passion for people. After earning her B.A. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Colorado in 2012, she worked primarily as a classroom instructor across multiple educational realms, from college to community college to K-12 and public outreach. In 2023, Rhonda earned an M.Ed in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University and joined CRLT-Engin as an Instructional Consultant in 2024. She collaborates with CAEN, NEXUS, and the CoE on topics like flexible instructional delivery, personalized learning, and research-informed technology integration. The swift change in technological tools over the past decade has widened the gap between education research and classroom practice, and generative AI has demonstrated the importance of a human-centered, equitable approach to technology integration in the classroom. Rhonda wants to empower both instructors and learners to take control of these tools and of their learning data, using them to support decision-making, spur self-reflection, and connect with the learning community.
Patricia Jaimes
Assistant Director for Student-centered Instruction & Academic Excellence, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 615- 0848
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Patricia Jaimes earned a B.S. degree in 2015 in Earth Science from Northeastern Illinois University, and a dual Ph.D. in 2021 in Geological Sciences and Environmental Science and Policy from Michigan State University (MSU).
Carol Lagemann
Data & Office Manager, CRLT in Engineering
(734) 615-9263
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Carol Lagemann earned a B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Music from Truman State University, in 2006 and 2008, respectively. She also studied Music at the University of Michigan from 2011-2012. Carol previously worked for U-M in the Mechanical Engineering department in the College of Engineering. In her current role, Carol supports CRLT in Engineering programs, maintains the program’s social media, and supports the CRLT-Engin Director.
Linda LaNoue
Administrative & Project Coordinator, CRLT in Engineering
208 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Linda LaNoue earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science with a concentration in Community Governance & Advocacy from Michigan State University in 2013. She earned her M.A. in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2020. As the Program and Event Administrator for CRLT-Engin, she supports the organization and logistical aspects of programming especially the Engineering GSI Teaching Orientation, Engineering Teaching Consultants, and HTML communications.
Richard Marks
Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, CRLT in Engineering
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Richard Marks earned a B.S. in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Florida State University in 2022. Prior to coming to the University of Michigan, he served as a postdoctoral research fellow with the University of Virginia’s Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) and as a research associate with Michigan State’s Evidence-Driven Learning Innovation team. Richard joined CRLT-Engin in 2025 as their curriculum and assessment specialist.
Linjue (Jade) Wang
Assistant Director for New Faculty Initiatives, CRLT in Engineering
734-763-2974
216 Gorguze Family Laboratory
Dr. Linjue (Jade) Wang recently received her Ph.D. in Engineering Education and M.S. in Industrial Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University (2022). Her doctoral research focused on 1) how engineering students develop empathy during community-based learning (e.g., service-learning) and 2) how engineering educators can integrate empathy into their teaching. Before studying in the U.S., Linjue (Jade) earned her B.E. in Building Environment and Energy Engineering from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University in China (2017). As the instructional consultant, she supports CRLT-Engin's initiatives focusing on faculty and lecturer development within the College of Engineering.
Foundational Course Initiative
Denise Galarza Sepúlveda
Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 615-9281
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Denise Galarza Sepúlveda is the Director of CRLT's Foundational Course Initiative (FCI). She leads a talented team of consultants in curricular work with faculty and students on course design teams to ensure inclusive and engaging learning experiences for students in gateway courses. She collaborates with department leaders across an array of disciplines to help further the university’s mission to provide transformative learning for all students. She also helps provide strategic direction for the Center as a member of CRLT's Senior Leadership Team. Before joining CRLT, she worked in the Undergraduate Dean’s Office in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts as director of the community-based learning office and was responsible for establishing new initiatives, logistical support, and student fellowships to help expand high-impact learning.
Dr. Galarza Sepúlveda received her Master's degree in Spanish from Purdue and her Ph.D. from Emory University. She was a member of the faculty at Lafayette College for twelve years in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, where she also chaired the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program. Throughout her career, she has received grants and awards for her teaching and course design.
Blair Beuche
Associate Director, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Blair Beuche holds a B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and M.A. and Ph.D. in Education at the University of Michigan. With nearly 20 years of experience in education, Blair’s background spans teaching, educator development, educational research, and curriculum development. She began her career as a high school teacher and has since held positions in instructional coaching, consulting, teaching, research, program management, and school administration across the U.S. and the K-12 and higher education sectors. Blair’s professional and research interests focus on approaches to support communities, systems, and educational institutions to build learning environments where all students can thrive. At CRLT, Blair works on the Foundational Course Initiative as an Associate Director. Her areas of expertise include, pedagogical training and programming, qualitative assessment, student-centered pedagogies and assessment design, and large-course design.
Andy Burkhardt
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 764-3613
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Andy Burkhardt’s focus is to bring a human-centered perspective to technology in the design of learning experiences as an Instructional Consultant for the Foundational Course Initiative. Before joining CRLT, Andy consulted with, trained, and supported faculty and staff at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health in the use of educational technologies. Prior to joining the University of Michigan, he was the Assistant Director for Digital Strategy at the Champlain College Library in Burlington, VT where he managed library technologies and taught numerous inquiry-based information literacy sessions as part of the undergraduate Core Curriculum. He received his M.A. in Library and Information Studies from UW-Madison and his B.A. in Philosophy at St, John’s University in Collegeville, MN.
Michelle Calka
Instructional Consultant, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Michelle Calka earned her B.A. in Communication and Digital Media Studies at Juniata College, her M.A. in Digital Storytelling at Ball State University, and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies at Ohio University. Previously, she was an associate professor of Communication Studies at Manchester University, where she taught courses in media literacy, social media, research methods, health communication, interpersonal communication, and small group communication. She collaborated with colleagues to redesign and write a new textbook for the first-year general education oral communication course. She also chaired the Communication Studies department, co-directed the Digital Media Arts program, and led the Center for Effective Teaching and Learning. She brings over 18 years of teaching experience and 6 years of faculty development work to her role with the Foundational Course Initiative. Her areas of interest include online communities, backwards course design, and transparency in teaching and learning (TILT).
Mishelle Dimitrova
Administrative Assistant Senior, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 936-3837
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Mishelle Dimitrova earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan – Dearborn, after previously completing a B.A. in Communications and Hispanic Studies with a certificate in Public Relations. Mishelle has over ten years of experience in higher education administration and now serves as an Administrative Assistant Senior for the Foundational Course Initiative. She is committed to enhancing operational efficiency and organizational excellence, has a passion for creating positive and inclusive work environments, and brings a wealth of expertise in administration, budgetary support, and strategic communication. In addition to her administrative role, Mishelle mentors through two different groups at U-M and is a member of the CRLT Players Advisory Board.
Elizabeth Mann Levesque
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 764-1248
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Elizabeth Mann Levesque earned her B.A. and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Michigan. After completing her undergraduate degree, Elizabeth taught middle school social studies in Miami, FL as a Teach for America corps member. She returned to Michigan for her graduate studies where she specialized in American politics and political institutions and engaged in research on early childhood education and K-12 education policy. Her dissertation on presidential policymaking at the state level was recognized with a Rackham ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award, and as a Graduate Student Instructor Elizabeth received a John W. Kingdon Teaching Award from the Department of Political Science. Subsequently, as a fellow at the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, she studied a wide range of education policy issues, including civics education, employer and community college workforce development partnerships, and federal regulation related to the Every Student Succeeds Act. At CRLT, Elizabeth works on the Foundational Course Initiative as a student support and classroom climate consultant.
Deborah Lichti
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Deborah Lichti earned her B.S. in Fisheries and Aquatic Science at Purdue University and her M.S. and Ph.D. at East Carolina University in Biological Sciences specializing in coastal ecology. While completing her doctoral studies, she redesigned the second-semester introductory biology laboratory, integrating authentic research experiences using citizen science. After joining the University of Delaware in the Interdisciplinary Science Learning Laboratories, she continued developing authentic learning experiences for students in her integrated biology and chemistry course. Debbie has also created pedagogical training programs for graduate assistants teaching lab courses and mentored both undergraduate and graduate students interested in teaching. Her areas of expertise include qualitative and quantitative assessment, STEM curriculum development, and graduate student training.
Heather Rypkema
Head of Learning Analytics and Associate Director, Foundational Course Initiative
(734) 764-7868
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Heather Rypkema is a founding member of the Foundational Course Initiative team and has served as an Assessment & Analytics specialist since 2018. She earned a B.A. in Chemistry and Physics, M.A. in Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Chemical Physics, all from Harvard University. After her postdoc at Stanford University, Heather held faculty appointments at the University of Louisville (Chemistry), Purdue University (Chemistry), and University of Michigan (CLASP). She has more than 20 years of experience as an instructor in higher education, having taught as an undergraduate, graduate student, postdoc, and faculty member. As part of her FCI portfolio, she has leveraged Learning Analytics to develop evaluative tools that inform course design and promote equitable teaching practices. Her analytics work incorporates course-specific surveys and data about student engagement with instructional technology platforms as well as Canvas data and the Learning Analytics Architecture database (LARC). In 2022, Heather took on the inaugural role of Head of Learning Analytics, in order to lead the Center’s growing efforts to provide analytics services to enhance teaching across the entire University.
Megan Stowe
Assistant Director, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Megan Stowe received her Ph.D. in English from the University of South Florida in 2022. Her research focuses on empathy and kinship as models for climate solutions in Black American, Indigenous, and Post-Colonial literatures. She holds a graduate certificate in Technical and Professional Communication, with an M.A. (Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature) from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in English from SUNY Stony Brook. She brings over 15 years of experience in education from K-12 to higher ed. Her most recent work includes program management for honors living-learning communities, academic advising for honors engineering and pre-health students, curricular design for English service courses, and teaching experiential learning courses on the intersections among literature and social justice. She is passionate about equity and justice in education and empowering students to thrive in their personal and professional goals.
Ina Zaimi
Instructional Consultant, Foundational Course Initiative
1071 Palmer Commons • 100 Washtenaw Ave.
Dr. Ina Zaimi received her B.S. in Biomolecular Science and English, M.S. in Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. Ina also received her secondary education certification in Chemistry and English from the State of Michigan. Humanizing chemistry incited her transition from teaching English, to teaching chemistry, to qualitatively researching the teaching and learning of chemistry. Her research explored organic chemistry students’ reasoning, from tasks designed and conducted in a research setting to activities and assignments designed and implemented in a classroom setting. Design does not (and should not) equate implementation, so her research explored how chemistry graduate student instructors implement instructional materials and facilitate organic chemistry students’ reasoning in the classroom. Therefore, her research combined the learning and teaching of organic chemistry and proposed how research can be transferred into instruction. Ina has been a Graduate Student Instructor for general chemistry, organic chemistry, and first-year writing, and she has received awards for her teaching. Furthermore, Ina has been a Graduate Student Instructional Coach in the Chemistry Department and a Graduate Student Instructional Consultant in the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, and she has received awards for her leadership. Her positions have been framed by her commitments to teaching with subjectivity and empathy and training for equity-focused teaching.
Click here to view a PDF of the CRLT organizational chart.
