This month, we’re turning the tables on Elizabeth and shining our Faculty Spotlight on her! As the Center for Teaching’s Associate Director, her work helps to extend our support to more faculty and departments. Read below to learn about Elizabeth’s role in the Center for Teaching, how her work is extending beyond UMW, and what fills all the travel mugs you see her carrying around campus.
You started working with the Center for Teaching as a Faculty Fellow and are now its Associate Director. Tell us a little bit about the projects/programs you facilitate.
Over the past few years with Center for Teaching, I’ve facilitated a couple of programs on assessment, including ungrading and alternative assessment. My favorite program, though, is NEST, which consists of an interdisciplinary group of faculty from across campus that meets monthly to talk all things teaching and, importantly, visit each others classes for nonevaluative observations and debriefs. NEST just finished up its 6th semester run and it continues to help me think about new and creative ideas and solutions for the classroom.
Editor note: Elizabeth is also the lead facilitator for the year-long new faculty orientation program and sits ex-officio as the CfT representative on the Distance and Blended Learning committee. She serves as a liaison to the Center for Community Engagement supporting faculty development efforts with the CCE Director, Sarah Dewees. Elizabeth also makes sure that August Preweek PD Day and May Teaching and Learning sessions run smoothly while often presenting sessions on play, assessment, and managing teaching expectations.
What are your areas of research and how do they connect to your classroom teaching?
I research family health communication and use social science research methodologies. I often bring in what I learn and examples from my research into classes to demonstrate the research process, show mistakes and edits, and for disciplinary examples depending on the course.
We talk a LOT about AI in the CfT. Do you incorporate AI into your classes? How do you decide whether or not to use AI?
I sometimes incorporate AI into my classes. For right now my method of deciding about using it or not is based on the individual class and purposes of assignments. In research methods this semester, I encouraged some students to use Copilot to help edit their research questions and to think about key search terms for library research. I think it’s helpful to talk with students about the when, what, and why AI use may or may not be appropriate for an assignment based on our objectives. I’m busy brainstorming ways to incorporate it into small group deliberations for next semester, as well, so we’ll see where that goes! I know my approach will continue to adapt.
Recently, you were asked to serve on a teaching panel at the National Communication Association conference focused on mentoring Ph.D. students and early career faculty. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
At NCA I participated in a pre-conference day focused on mentorship in the Health Communication division for graduate students and early career faculty in the discipline. I was asked to speak to the larger group about experiential learning and pedagogical approaches in the classroom. I also took part in small group discussions throughout the day focused on teaching, collaboration in research, and other kinds of career advice. It was a great experience, and I’ve even heard from a few of the graduate students I spoke with.
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
I have so many, but I’ll go with who comes to mind first—Mrs. Jones who was my 7th and 8th grade English teacher, as well as my homeroom teacher at least one year. She had the perfect balance of warmth and rigor, and I think each of us felt seen and respected by her. You knew she was truly in our corner and believed in you. Gratefully, I’m still in touch with her.
8 AM or 4 PM class? Why?
8AM for sure—-I am an early riser and by 4pm I’m beginning the slow fade for the day.
What is your favorite UMW class to teach?
I have a few, but Health Communication might be my favorite. Yes, it’s the one most directly related to what I research regularly, so I’m passionate about it in general, but I also really enjoy the diversity of students and majors that end up represented in the class leading to richer discussions and ideas.
What is your favorite podcast or show?
Currently, the Mr. Ballen podcast. I love the way he tells real-life mysteries in story form.
You are often spotted with multiple travel mugs in hand. 🙂 Where is your favorite place to get coffee or tea in the area?
Always with multiple mugs! Fredericksburg has great coffee, but I’d say Agora is my favorite place.
What would be your dream program to do through CfT?
A faculty group to explore and build classes that are interdisciplinary and can be co-taught by faculty across campus. In a dream big scenario, this would be a group that would consider process, materials, class activities, assessment, etc. and even include student participation in the group. I’ve always liked the idea of bringing students into some of our conversations and programs if it fits.