Purdue Online Directory

Liz holds a BS in Computer Graphics Technology from Purdue University. In 2018, Liz joined the Course Design and Development team and assists in enhancing online learning environments both on and off campus. Previously, Liz did video production and digital marketing for The Walt Disney Company and several departments within Purdue.

Shari has over a decade's experience in the Purdue Online department. She received her degree in hospitality and food management from Ball State University, and in 2015 received her Project Management Professional certification. Before joining the Purdue team, Shari worked as an escrow closing agent and a residential real estate salesperson and spent sixteen years in the hospitality profession. Shari works with graduate degree programs from Health and Human Sciences, Management, Polytechnic, and Engineering.

Christopher Beck, a southern Indiana native, received his BA in History from Indiana University in 2001 and his PhD in Medieval History from Fordham University (Bronx, NY) in 2012. Before joining Purdue’s Course Design and Development Team in 2018, Beck spent six years as history faculty at Wright State University in Dayton, OH. As an instructor, he gained experience designing and teaching both large- and small-scale online courses. He has also instructed courses using a variety of methods – online only, face-to-face, and hybrid. Personally, Beck is interested in medieval legal history, strategy gaming, and the gamification of education.

Thad has been with Purdue since 2005. He holds a BS in Computer Graphics Technology and a MBA, both from Purdue University.

Gavin works as a Full Stack Developer for the Informatics team doing web and mobile programming.

Dean has been providing accessibility and assistive technology services in several positions at Purdue since arriving in 1991. He has enjoyed working with farmers and ranchers with disabilities (Breaking New Ground) as well as coordinating accommodations for students with disabilities (Disability Resource Center). Dean’s current focus is on long-term and campus-wide accessibility needs of information technology. He leads campus education efforts to create accessible websites and documents. Dean received his M.S. degree in General Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He enjoys spending time with family and appreciates all outdoor activities (except shoveling snow).

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Brigham Young University in 2018, Lily joined the Informatics team at Purdue University, where she uses her experience in software development and human-computer interaction to help build instructional technologies. Previously Lily used her technical skills to collaborate with a social enterprise in Oxford, U.K., and interned as a business analyst at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Allan graduated with a Bachelors in Special Education from Valdosta State University and stayed when asked to serve as a graduate assistant in the College of Education Advising Center. He was able to complete his M. Ed in Instructional Technology while interning with the Department of Psychology and Counseling as an instructional designer. The IU School of Law-Indianapolis recruited him as an instructional technologist to coordinate efforts with IU Online. Currently he works with Purdue Teaching and Learning Technologies to deliver quality learning experiences.

Cody Connor is a leader in instructional design in higher education. He joined Purdue in 2015 and is the Manager of Course Design and Development. He leads Purdue's central Instructional Design team to develop online, hybrid, face-to-face, MOOC, and professional programs and courses. In addition, he is a leader of IMPACT, Purdue's large-scale University initiative to transform undergraduate courses for active, student-centered learning. He also serves as a member of Purdue's Teaching & Learning Technologies leadership team, collaborating with IT, and academic leadership at Purdue to envision, develop and grow University-wide faculty resources and programs to support exemplary courses.

Brett Creech is an Educational Technologist with the Innovations in Teaching and Learning team who works closely with faculty to assess instructional needs, find new technology to help fill those needs, and pilot these technologies in the classroom to ensure that they are a good fit for Purdue. He is also a part-time instructor in the Brian Lamb School of Communications at Purdue. He has his Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University, a Master's Degree from Ball State University, and an Master's Degree from Indiana State University.

Lori came to Purdue University in 2007 where she started as an account clerk in the Business Office of Continuing Education and Conferences (CEC). Although the name has changed, Lori is in the same department and is now an account assistant for Purdue Online. She oversees the financials and reporting of the credit programs. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening, and camping.

Bethany is an Educational Technologist with the Innovations in Teaching and Learning team who works closely with faculty to assess instructional needs, finds new technology to help fill those needs, and pilot these technologies in the classroom to ensure that they are a good fit for Purdue.

Bryan DeWitt, Ed.S. is the Managing Director of New Professional, Continuing, and Online Offerings where he oversees New Program Development. Bryan has also served as a Senior Instructional Designer for Purdue Online College of Engineering where he designed and developed online engineering courses. Prior to his appointment at Purdue University, Bryan taught Anatomy and Physiology at the high school and undergraduate levels and was a K-12 Technology Integration Coach. He has earned a Bachelor's in Cellular and Molecular Biology with Minors in Music Theory and Music Literature, a Master's in Life Science Education, a Master's in Educational Leadership, a Graduate Certificate in School Law, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. Bryan is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University.

Tuhin received his doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Learning Design and Technology from the University of Houston (Main) and has an MA in Economics from the same university. Tuhin worked as a lecturer of Business Management in India and also worked in Italy for a brief period of time. He enjoys his role at Purdue as an Instructional Designer and likes helping the in Higher Education faculty members with course design, development, and faculty development activities. Tuhin has presented and published at international conferences and in the Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia. Tuhin is also interested in educational uses of multimedia and visual ethnography. He taught Educational Photography certificate courses at the University of Houston. Tuhin has received multiple 'Thumbs Up’ recognitions from Purdue faculty members.

Jason has been architecting and developing software solutions for higher education 22 years. Prior to that he did software consulting for businesses in the Fortune 500. He earned a dual degree in Theatre and Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue in 1992. He currently develops cutting edge teaching and learning applications for the Informatics team at Purdue. Jason enjoys playing the electric bass and guitar and singing in the Conrad Bone Band, entertaining fans in Indiana and beyond for more than 10 years. Jason's approach to pizza is: deep dish or death.

Mel was a first-generation college student who began her higher ed career while still an undergrad with her work in residence life. A licensed educator since 1991, she earned her master’s in education with an emphasis in storytelling in 2006 while directing ETSUs first co-ed residence hall. She began teaching online in 2003, and moved from being an instructor to an instructional design role in 2014. She is a Certified Associate Project Manager, and a lead on the team here at Purdue, serving as Quality Matters rubric training point person. Mel is a Vice-Chair for UPCEAs eDesign Collaborative research group, and has presented widely on instruction and innovation.
Mel is a do-er and happily afflicted with what she calls a multiple project personality. Typically, Mel has as many personal life events going including writing, visual arts, and triathlons, which she is more than happy to discuss.

Holly has worked at Purdue since 2012 and is an Instructional Designer for Learning Design and Technology program in the College of Education. Holly holds two degrees from Purdue University: in Social Studies Education (BA ’10) and in Learning Design and Technology (MS ’14). She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Learning Design and Technology at Purdue. Holly has received multiple awards for her work with the online Master’s program in Learning Design and Technology and enjoys teaching as a Limited Term Lecturer for the Curriculum and Instruction program.

Jason Fish is the Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies at Purdue University. He is responsible for supporting and enhancing teaching and learning through the pedagogical use of technology that is usable by all instructors and students. His group focuses on instructional design, faculty professional development, and finding or building new technology to meet the university's vast and ever-changing needs.

Howard came to Purdue in 2018 from Michigan State University, where he earned his MA in Digital Rhetoric and Professional Writing and taught classes in writing, document design, and digital and hybrid pedagogy. His academic and research focus has been on designing and implementing new technologies that enhance existing good pedagogical practices, rather than replacing them. At Purdue, Howard works with faculty to find digital tools they can bring in to the classroom, with a focus on peer and faculty assessment technologies.
Howard also has a passion for making sure that all classes are accessible to all students. At Purdue, Howard serves as a workshop facilitator and consultant on a variety of accessibility-related topics. Howard previously served on the planning committee for the Accessible Learning Conference and the Computers and Writing Conference, and as a communications editor for Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology and Pedagogy.

Michelle Gorin is Purdue Online’s senior online program launch specialist, providing operational support for program creation and helping academic partners successfully navigate the stages of new program development. She has worked in higher education since 2011, primarily in the marketing and development of online programs. Prior to joining the Purdue team, she served in a variety of marketing and communications positions for the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, the National Tour Association and the YMCA of Greater Louisville. Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree from Centre College. She also holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a graduate certificate in instructional design from Western Kentucky University.

Will joined the Informatics team in 2009 after receiving his B.S. in Computer Graphics Technology from Purdue University. Beginning with a focus mainly on front-end development, he now works on the full stack including architecture, design, back-end, front-end, and mobile and loves learning and exploring new technologies. He is passionate about code and creating innovative teaching and learning tools that make education easier.

Kathy’s Purdue career began in 1991. Since then, she has served in the College of Agriculture, Air Force ROTC, Polytechnic Institute, and Digital Education (formerly known as Continuing Education and Conferences). Currently, Kathy provides support to the Purdue Online Executive Vice President and Director of Business Partnerships. Away from work, Kathy enjoys spending time with family, gardening, and travel.

Kristen Bettice Hamby joined the Innovations in Teaching and Learning team in October 2018, after spending the first six years of her career in the classroom. After graduating from Valparaiso University in 2012 with a double major in Mathematics and Education, Kristen taught 7th and 8th grade mathematics at schools in Greensburg, Indiana, Fairlawn, Ohio, and in West Lafayette. The only thing that excites Kristen more than discussing ridiculously complex math equations is finding the perfect technical solution to meet other educator's needs. Outside work, you can find Kristen spending time with her husband and their daughter, playing with her dog Loki, or trying her hand at the latest and greatest in board games.

Amy is an Educational Technology Consultant on the Consulting & Training Team. She supports Purdue’s faculty in the use of educational technology to help facilitate student learning. Her main areas of focus and expertise are with classroom response systems, lecture capture, facutly onboarding and active learning strategies. Amy has a BA in Communication from Purdue and is an avid Purdue fan.

She started at Purdue in 2014 as a Support Specialist on the Consulting and Training team in TLT. She was the point of contact for Blackboard support to the students in the Purdue Online Nursing program through PNW. She also facilitated Qualtrics training workshops to faculty and staff on the WL campus. Sandra moved into an Associate Instructional Designer position on the Course Design and Development team in TLT in 2018. She assists the Instructional Designers and faculty to design/re-design and develop their face-to-face, hybrid and online courses. She is involved in the IMPACT program and assists the Purdue Online staff with the non-credit courses. Sandra received a Master of Science degree in Technology with a concentration in Training and Development from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL in 2013. She is currently enrolled in the Learning Design & Technology Online Master’s program at Purdue WL and is expected to graduate in 2019 with a Master of Science in Education degree.

Ben Holmes is on the Consulting and Training team. He loves helping faculty of all disciplines accomplish what they want to accomplish with educational technology. His specialties are web conferencing, digital proctoring, and online video. This Ben Holmes is not the famed bagpiper.

Vincent has worked for Purdue since the fall of 2013 and became a Video Production Specialist in the Spring of 2015. He currently oversees the recording and editing of lecture videos for several credit and non-credit courses. His professional interests include computer animation and facets of the video production pipeline.

Andrew C. Hurt Ph.D. is an Instructional Designer on the Course Design and Development team in TLT. Dr. Hurt’s primary academic interest is on growing and developing employees within organizations with a particular emphasis on how technology can facilitate Training and Development and Organizational Development practices in organizations. He has 15 years of higher education teaching experience having taught at both Purdue University and Texas A&M University. He has designed, developed, and taught all manner of courses from large to small and in Face-to-Face, Hybrid, and Online formats. Dr. Hurt came to Purdue in 2009 and served on the faculty in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. In 2016, he transitioned to his current role as an instructional designer. Dr. Hurt earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University. He also holds a Master of Science in Technology and Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership both from Purdue University.

Lisa has training and background both in animal and the education sciences. She earned her bachelors degree in Animal Science from Brigham Young University, both her masters degree in Veterinary Epidemiology and her doctorate degree in Agricultural Education from Purdue University. She has 5 years of experience as an instructional designer working in higher education for a variety of initiatives and stakeholders both nationally and internationally. Lisa currently provides instructional design services through the Course Design and Development team.

Yu-Ju (Sharon) Lin has over 10 years of experience as an instructional designer working in corporate and higher education to provide positive and engaging learning experience. After completing her Ph.D. in the Program of Learning, Design, and Technology at the University of Georgia in 2015, she worked as the instructional designer in Georgia State University for 3 years to design and develop online and hybrid courses in the Civic Educator and Health Educator Programs. In the past few years, she worked in multiple grants such as Investment in Innovation (i3) Grant in the Department of Education (DOE), Courseware Challenge Grant for Competency-based Education in Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Grant for Adaptive Learning. Her research agenda includes the effective use and design of open educational resource, self-regulation and self-regulated learning, and use of emerging technology in formal and informal learning environment. Her curiosity about an unknown world that technology brings to us leads her to a journey of research and innovation. Her scholarly work includes presentations in national and regional conferences (e.g., AECT and AERA) and multiple academic publications.

Before working at Purdue University, Timothy was an Instructional Designer at The Ohio State University's Office of Distance Education and eLearning (ODEE) from 2013-2020. Timothy was also a lecturer through Ohio State's Dennis Learning Center, where he taught online for almost five years. He worked as an Instructional Designer / Content Developer at Ashland University for five years (2008-2013). Before moving to Ohio, Timothy worked as an Instructional Designer for a print to digital company in Northeast Pennsylvania, creating self-paced computer training materials for several months. Timothy's higher education career started at The Pennsylvania State University's Hazleton Campus, where he began as the Helpdesk Coordinator/Residence Hall Student Support Supervisor for two years (2002-2004). He then moved up to the role of Support Assistant for three more years (2004-2007).

Timothy holds various roles with Quality Matters. I am a Peer Reviewer, Master Reviewer, Online APPQMR Facilitator, Face-to-Face APPQMR Facilitator, and Course Review Manager.

Timothy has his Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina, which he earned in December of 2019. Timothy's dissertation focused on instructor feedback in online education. He also holds a Master of Science in Instructional Technology, with a specialization in Instructional Technology Specialist (Instructional Design) from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology from The Pennsylvania State University.

Galen received his undergraduate degree from Purdue in Linguistics and Spanish. He went on to teach English as a Second Language before returning to Purdue to work in Libraries as well as Study Abroad. He is now part of the team facilitating registration processes for Purdue Online programs.

Leah is an Educational Technologist with the Innovations in Teaching and Learning team who works closely with faculty to assess instructional needs and find new technology to help fill those needs. She holds a BS degree in biology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Leah taught high school biology and coached softball for 5 years. When she’s not on campus, she enjoys hiking with her two rescue pups, riding her horse, and reading anything she can get her hands on.

Connie started her Purdue career in 2007 in the College of Health and Human Sciences. She transferred to Purdue Extended Campus (Conferences) in 2012. In 2016, Connie transferred to Purdue Online as an Account Clerk V. When not at work, Connie enjoys traveling, ATV racing, and spending time with family and friends.

Kevin O’Shea has a over a decade of experience solving complex problems in higher education. O’Shea holds a BA in Film & Video Studies and an M.S.Ed in Learning Design & Technology, both from Purdue University. He has no idea what good pizza tastes like.

Lisa started her Purdue career in 1980 with the Purchasing Department. She then transferred to Continuing Education and Conferences (CEC) in 1984 where she has spent the past 30+ years working in a variety of positions before joining Purdue Online in 2015. She received the Bravo and ICCE Support Staff member of the year award in 2017. She oversees the registration process for graduate credit programs.

Jim has a BA from Hanover College and an MA from Ball State University. After several years as a teacher, he joined Purdue in 2004 and has served as an academic advisor, program coordinator, and then led the Learning Communities program. With Purdue Online, Jim oversees Undergraduate Online Programs.

Yingzhuo Quan has been working in higher education for 15 years. Her experiences include teaching, course design, educational technology investigation and research. She received her Ph.D. degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration on educational technology. Yingzhuo is currently an educational technologist at Purdue. She has facilitated Purdue faculty adopting multiple educational tools in both face-to-face and online classes. She also enjoys communicating with faculty and searching for ideas and technologies to improve teaching and learning.

Michele joined the Informatics team in 2007 where she designs interfaces for web and mobile apps aimed at at transforming the classroom experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine art and a master’s in computer graphics technology.

Debra Runshe has over 20 years of experience as an Instructional Designer working with faculty and instructional staff to create engaging learning environments. Her experiences working with teaching and learning technologies in academia has been varied, from teaching to administration, from supporting instructors to participating in national endeavors such as part being of: the National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, Department of Education (DOE) grants, and as a Carnegie CASTL Scholar focusing on active learning environments. As a Primary Support Team member of the IMPACT program at Purdue, she assists faculty in redesigning their courses to improve student learning gains through a student-centered learning environment. Working with Purdue Online and other units on campus, she assists faculty in developing interactive online learning environments. Her commitment to improve the learning environment in these and other collaborative projects has also led to research projects, publications, and international presentations focused on teaching and learning in higher education.

David Schwarte graduated from Purdue University in 1995 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was subsequently hired as the Adaptive Programs Specialist for the Adaptive Learning Programs (ALPS) lab. At one point David was an Instructional Computing Coordinator with the Computing Center and assisted several academic departments with their varied computing needs. Currently, he is an Assistive Technology Specialist with Teaching and Learning Technology, a division of Information Technology at Purdue. David works to personally assist students, faculty, and staff who have disabilities so that they may reach their academic goals and professional through the use of technology.

James came to Purdue as a student in 1994, an although he eventually attained a degree, somewhere along the way he forgot to leave. He has worked for ITaP since before it was ITaP and has been in his current position for over 10 year. Though he is often referred to as "The Blackboard Guy" he supports many other services, and enjoys troubleshooting any issues

Deb is an Educational Technologist with the Innovations in Teaching and Learning Team who works to identify unmet instructional needs and pilot new technologies. Deb has a diverse background in higher education, including management of innovative teaching laboratories as well as stewardship of a variety of research, instructional, communication, and computing technologies. She earned a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University, worked as an industrial chemist, and taught lab courses at Ivy Tech, Lafayette.

Evan is a recent graduate from Purdue, getting a bachelor's in computer science in 2012. He worked as a student here in TLT before graduating and beginning his career by moving to a full time position here. He is excited to help improve education for future students.

Alicia West received her BS in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 2007. After being at Purdue for 6 years, she joined Purdue Online in 2017 as a Program Administrator. Her focus is overseeing the Credit Graduate and Undergraduate programs in the College of Education, Liberal Arts, Veterinary School and Agriculture.

Casey has worked at Purdue since 2007 and joined the Informatics team in 2009. She is a Full Stack Developer and uses her background in Computer Graphics Technology (BS '06) and Education (MS '13) to improve the teaching and learning experience in higher ed through developing educational technologies. She is also a Limited Term Lecturer for the Computer Graphics Technology department. She enjoys all things related to dachshunds, reading sci-fi/fantasy, and cooking.