OUR LEADERSHIP

I support DU with:
- Policies and practices to support holistic faculty development at all career stages
- Strategic vision to improve student learning, practices in teaching, course design, curriculum development, and assessment
- Initiatives informed by research and promising higher education practices
My Job: In my roles as Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Director of the OTL, I advance and support campus-wide and unit-based programs that amplify the educational mission of the University; initiate and sustain partnerships with academic units to foster engaged teaching and learning; use innovative strategies to deepen the pedagogical knowledge and teaching effectiveness of DU faculty; and create and facilitate a holistic faculty professional development plan.
My Background: As a proud member of the DU community for the past 12 years and counting, I love engaging in initiatives that spark connection across students, staff, and faculty. During my past presidency of Faculty Senate (2016-2018), I collaborated with colleagues on strengthening faculty development initiatives and creating opportunities for faculty to lead institutional change. This experience kindled my love for leadership – an area that I never knew I would enjoy so much! As Associate Professor of Communication Studies, my research examines critical intercultural communication, and my teaching portfolio covers topics about education and change, cultural memory and imagination, and food culture. One of my greatest joys is bearing witness to the inspiring journeys of students and colleagueswho continually teach me how to learn, grow, and thrive.
When I’m not at work: I am a flavor-forward foodie, home-making homebody, perennial and veggie gardener, flower paparazzi, and pleasure-seeking nerd. Depending upon the season and the mood, I love experimenting with recipes (especially fresh ingredients from my garden), practicing Yin yoga, finding adventure and beauty through travel, and enjoying the company of friends and family.

I support DU with:
- Leadership of the Office of Teaching and Learning
- Promoting excellence in teaching, learning, and assessment across DU
- Cultivating a strategic vision for the OTL
My Job: As Director of the Office of Teaching and Learning, I report to the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs whose office promotes faculty success and well-being in four key areas: faculty development, teaching and learning, faculty relations, and faculty life cycles. As OTL director, I provide strategic guidance for the office and nurture the OTL team’s growth and success. A thriving OTL serves faculty as life-long learners which, ultimately, supports student achievement. Critical to my work is promoting initiatives that advance the university’s educational mission and dedication to inclusive excellence. I represent the OTL at all levels of the university through collaborative relationships and committee service (CFAB, ITAC, OTL Advisory board).
My Background: As a new member of the DU family, I am excited to join this vibrant and productive community of scholars.
I have a PhD in Educational Psychology, Learning and Instruction from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. I spent the last 13 years as a faculty member, earning full professor, in the psychology department at Adams State University, a Hispanic-serving Institution in rural southern Colorado. As an Educational Psychologist, my interests generally focus on the confluence of psychology and educational practice. This led to a part time administrative appointment which culminated in founding a Center for Teaching and Learning funded by a Title V grant.
My early research agenda focused on achievement motivation and goal orientation. Since, my interests have broadened to include replication, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and gender and diversity, in particular the representation of women in the psychology curriculum. I have served as a Faculty Senator and a department chair and had a leadership role in a number of campus wide initiatives including Faculty Handbook policy reform, HLC reaffirmation of accreditation, and general education curriculum redesign. My service commitments have ranged from Faculty Senator, to President of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, to Regional Vice president for Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
As an educator and researcher I am passionate about advancing inclusion and equity, open science practices, and interrogating the inclusivity of the psychology curriculum. Now, as the OTL Director, I am enthusiastic about drawing from my identity as a scholar to support faculty growth and development full time.
When I’m not at work: I’m enjoying my husband and son, skiing, playing outside, or planning a trip. I am a lover but inconsistent practitioner of yoga and meditation and have been a yoga instructor since 2013.
OUR DIRECTORS

Director of University Teaching
Phone: 303-871-3291
Email: Virginia.Pitts@du.edu
Portfolio: http://portfolio.du.edu/vpitts
I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Designing for significant learning
- Student motivation and engagement
- Student-faculty partnerships
- Project-based learning
- Design thinking
My Job: I support faculty, students and other DU community members in learning and working together to create more engaging, inclusive, learning-rich experiences for DU students. As part of that work, I facilitate DU’s student-faculty partnership program, in which students and faculty members work together to explore student learning and engagement in the classroom. I also lead DU’s Course Design Institute, which bring faculty members together to learn from and with each other as they design courses to have a lasting, meaningful impact on students’ lives.
My Background: I’ve had an eclectic career-path, but the common thread is learning, motivation, and design. It started with a degree in Industrial Engineering, followed by 11 years as a change management consultant with Accenture, followed by a PhD at Northwestern University in Learning Sciences (which focused on learning and motivation in social contexts and the design of innovative, research-based learning environments). After receiving my PhD, I did a two-year post-doctoral fellowship studying instructional leadership in schools and the ways in which it is shared among members of a school community. I then spent four years working with National Geographic Education Programs as a professional development consultant, and teaching courses at Regis University and CU-Denver for educators pursuing their master’s degrees. I came to DU in February 2013.
When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending as much time as I can outdoors – taking long walks with our dog Molly, relaxing in the backyard with a good book, or exploring a mountain trail. My partner Brian and I also really enjoy exploring the neighborhoods around Denver and discovering new coffee shops, breweries, or restaurants (there’s so much here!).
Other Links:
My DU Portfolio page

Director of Academic Assessment
Phone: 303-871-6012
Email: Christina.Paguyo@du.edu
Portfolio: http://portfolio.du.edu/
I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Accreditation
- Curricular renewal
- Program assessment
- Program evaluation
My Job: is an academic DJ who choreographs assessment in harmony with the everyday work of faculty and staff. On any given day, you will find me delivering consultations and facilitating Meetups about meaningful and manageable assessment, or designing institutes to help units develop a strategic plan for curricular renewal, or training faculty to serve as assessment consultants. I enjoy collaborating with colleagues to amplify the amazing work we do at DU, and I love helping staff and faculty discover the transformative potential of assessment!
My Background: Over the course of my 15-year career, I have led equity-oriented initiatives in student affairs units, coordinated PR campaigns for government agencies, acquired over $2 million dollars in education research grant monies, and co-authored publications about designing robust learning environments. From the University of Colorado Boulder I earned my PhD in education policy, and from Colorado State University I attained my MEd in counseling and BA in English. Notwithstanding the diversity of my work experiences, the ballast of my professional trajectory is composed from a long-standing passion to help people thrive and learn with their head, hands, and hearts.
When I’m not at work: In my moonlighting hours, I am the principal investigator and founder of Data Luminaries, a small boutique firm through which I conduct external evaluations. My hobbies include singing karaoke, practicing yoga, traveling with my life partner of 20 years, and cuddling with Licorice, my 100-lb dog we adopted from a non-profit organization.
Other Links:
- Check out my podcast on inclusive assessment
- Learn about our NSF-funded research
- Visit my website

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Comprehensive research-based faculty consultations to assess, design, and implement inclusive pedagogical practices across all disciplines of study and learning environments.
- Creating and providing formative resources aligned with best practices in inclusive pedagogy to faculty and academic administrators following critical incidents in learning environments.
- Addressing critical aspects of course design, classroom management, and assessment of teaching and learning to best align with best practices in inclusive pedagogy.
- Real-time collaborations with academic leaders and partnering offices across campus (e.g., ODI, EOIX, CLIE) to develop and/or update faculty supports around specific campus incidents that may arise, and for which there are no existing up-to-date resources.
- Serving on and consulting with search committees related to the advancement of Inclusive Excellence at DU.
My Job: I provide proactive and responsive leadership, direction, and programming that advances the University of Denver’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence and Inclusive Pedagogy. I create, implement, and assess strategic faculty development opportunities; online resources; and consultations for faculty members, academic administrators, academic departments, and allied offices.
When I’m not at work, I am cooking and baking recipes from around the world, reading non-fiction, traveling with my husband and our four children, playing piano, raising awareness about pediatric cancer, and doing Bikram yoga!
Other Links:
Visit my website
National Science Foundation
OUR INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Online teaching and learning
- Course design and development
- Teaching strategies
My Job: As a Senior Faculty Developer there are a number of ways I support faculty. I share best practices by facilitating the Teaching Online Short Course several times a year. I also co-teach Teaching@DU: A Short Course for New Faculty, which helps faculty that are new to campus learn about the resources available at DU as well as offering effective teaching strategies. I design our OTL newsletter so that faculty and staff across campus are informed about the variety of events and resources we offer here at the OTL. I am also available to meet with faculty for consultations around designing their courses and improving student outcomes.
My Background: I have a BA from Smith College and a MPS in Organizational Leadership from the University of Denver. I have worked at the University of Denver in a variety of both student- and faculty-focused roles since 2006. My experiences as a student, staff member, and instructional designer have given me a unique and well-rounded perspective on effective teaching practices.
When I’m not at work, I’m often playing with my son and my cat. I also like to discover new restaurants in the Denver area.
Other Links:
View upcoming Teaching Online Short Course sessions
Check out the Course Design Repository

Megan Haskins
Faculty Developer of Integrative Learning and High Impact Practices
Email: Megan.Haskins@du.edu
I support DU faculty and staff with:
- High-Impact Practices
- ePortfolios
- Online teaching strategies
My Job: As a Faculty Developer, I collaborate with faculty across the institution to develop, implement, and assess high-impact practices and integrative learning. This includes participating in one-on-one consultations, facilitating synchronous workshops, and developing resources to foster and support innovative teaching and learning.
My Background: I earned a BA in Literature and an MEd in Administration of Higher Education from Auburn University. In my previous role, I worked with students on professional communication, digital identity, and ePortfolios. Additionally, I collaborated with faculty to design and implement high-impact practices across the disciplines. From these experiences I bring a focus on reflective practice, digital communication, and a collaborative approach to faculty development. My pedagogical interests include Communities of Inquiry, Task-Based Professional Development, and Writing to Learn.
When I’m not at work, I’m likely exploring new hikes with my husband and daughter or enjoying a cup of coffee at a local café.

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Online & Remote Teaching and Learning Strategies
My Job: As the Faculty Developer for Online Learning, I provide an array of support around online and remote teaching and learning. I work closely with our team of Instructional Designers to provide quality support for faculty. I share best practices by facilitating online teaching and learning workshops, webinars, and short courses. I am also available for faculty consultations around instructional design, canvas support, and online teaching and learning strategies for engagement and beyond.
My Background: I have a BS in Human Development and Family Sciences and M. E.D. in College Student Services Administration, both from Oregon State University. While at OSU, I worked in student support roles as well as faculty focused support and organizational roles. These experiences have provided me unique perspectives regarding online teaching and learning. My pedagogical approaches align best with Universal Design for Learning, Backwards Course Design, and Reflective Practice.
When I’m not at work, I am often outdoors enjoying hiking, camping, rock climbing, snowboarding, or walking my sweet and ever so feisty Yorkie Aspen. Indoors you can find me deeply engaged in a new creative outlet including writing poetry, drawing, painting, or collaging.
Other Links:
Visit the Canvas Instructor Guide
Check out the OTL Teaching Tool Kit

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Kaltura Video Management
- ZOOM Video Conference
- Instructional Video
- Interactivity Design
- Website Design
My Job: My new position as an IT consultant is very focused on instructional video design and technologies. I serve as the primary Kaltura administrator providing support and training.
My Background: I have worked at DU since 2002.
Other Links:
Check out my upcoming Kaltura or ZOOM training sessions
My DU Portfolio page
OTL Ed-Tech Knowledge Base

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Respondus
- Kaltura
- DU Assessment
- DU Portfolio
My Job: Serving as Business Analyst for the Office of Teaching and Learning, I am responsible for primary system administration and configuration of various enterprise-level academic technologies. I also act as liaison between the OTL and Information Technology. I assist both the OTL and IT by using data analytics to evaluate processes, determine requirements and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to leadership and stakeholders.
My Background: I have a BA in Sociology from New Mexico State University and MS in Applied Sociology from Texas State University. I am also a certified Scrum Master and have used this agile framework to help guide development teams in both academic and non-academic settings.
When I’m not at work, I enjoy many different outdoor activities, which include backpacking, fly fishing, camping and hiking. I particularly love playing music with friends. I have played the guitar for over 20 years and have recently started playing the mandolin. I also volunteer with a couple of different non-profit organizations based in the Denver metro area.
Other Links:
OUR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN TEAM

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Course development
- Educational technologies
- Teaching resources
My Job: Our instructional designers work with academic directors, faculty developers, and subject matter experts to provide support for online, hybrid, and hyflex courses. They are well-versed in the best practices for online pedagogy and instructional technology. Instructional Designers are available for 1:1 training consultations, as well as providing course development and technology assistance for faculty.
My Areas of Expertise:
- Supporting faculty new to teaching online
- Using Zoom for teaching
- Interactive online pedagogies

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Course development
- Educational technologies
- Teaching resources
My Job: Our instructional designers work with academic directors, faculty developers, and subject matter experts to provide support for online, hybrid, and hyflex courses. They are well-versed in the best practices for online pedagogy and instructional technology. Instructional Designers are available for 1:1 training consultations, as well as providing course development and technology assistance for faculty.
My Areas of Expertise:
- Hybrid course design
- First year experiences
- Creative and reflective writing assignments

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Course development
- Educational technologies
- Teaching resources
My Job: Our instructional designers work with academic directors, faculty developers, and subject matter experts to provide support for online, hybrid, and hyflex courses. They are well-versed in the best practices for online pedagogy and instructional technology. Instructional Designers are available for 1:1 training consultations, as well as providing course development and technology assistance for faculty.
My Areas of Expertise:
- Universal Design & Accessibility
- Designing for Diversity & Inclusivity
- Virtual Tools (Teams, Zoom, WebEx), Assistive Technology & Disability Access Best Practices

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Course development
- Educational technologies
- Teaching resources
My Job: Our instructional designers work with academic directors, faculty developers, and subject matter experts to provide support for online, hybrid, and hyflex courses. They are well-versed in the best practices for online pedagogy and instructional technology. Instructional Designers are available for 1:1 training consultations, as well as providing course development and technology assistance for faculty.
My Areas of Expertise:
- Hybrid and Online Courses
- New Technologies and Methods
- Community of Inquiry framework

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Canvas
- Course development
- Educational technologies
- Teaching resources
My Job: Our instructional designers work with academic directors, faculty developers, and subject matter experts to provide support for online, hybrid, and hyflex courses. They are well-versed in the best practices for online pedagogy and instructional technology. Instructional Designers are available for 1:1 training consultations, as well as providing course development and technology assistance for faculty.
My Areas of Expertise:
- Active Learning, Gamification, & Engagement
- Designing for Equity & Inclusivity
- Trauma-Informed Pedagogy & Approaches
- Choosing appropriate technology for transitioning in-person to online learning
OUR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Lindsey Kline
Graduate Assistant
I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Online teaching and learning
- Student-faculty partnerships
- Inclusive teaching practices
My Job: I partner with faculty to provide technical and instructional assistance in online and hyflex environments. I apply my insight to train classroom assistants across myriad departments, equipping them with the skills necessary to support professors in remote teaching and learning.
My Background: My passion for equity and education led me to pursue my Ed.S. in School Psychology at DU. My ultimate goal is to provide students with the best educational experiences possible, whether creating individualized education plans for students with special needs or ensuring students thrive in DU’s new hyflex and online learning environments.
OUR PARTNERS

Paul Michalec
OTL FAculty Fellow
Clinical Professor in the Morgridge College of Education
Email: paul.michalec@du.edu

I support DU faculty and staff with:
- Collaborative research projects with and for IRISE & OTL
- Teaching and course development
- Research
- Inclusive pedagogies & implementations
My Job: I am a creative collaborator who enjoys dreaming big! As a postdoctoral research fellow, I work directly with the directors of Inclusive Teaching Practices and Academic Assessment to implement inclusive pedagogies, critical theories in teaching and learning and contribute innovative lenses of analysis and praxis. I also enjoy being a sounding board for ideas and implementation and bringing projects into fruition. I love teaching and mentoring one-on-one or with groups of people. As a teacher-scholar-activist, I am passionate about employing innovative pedagogies of action to empower folks to see their own agency, become excited, and grow inquisitive about conducting thoughtful and ethical work. I enjoy engaging folks in critical bodies of literature, course assignments, and community-based research wrapped with a creative twist. In my role as an educator, I will be teaching Inclusive Pedagogies and other courses for the Morgridge College of Education and conducting research and writing projects with IRISE and my postdoctoral cohort mates.
My Background: I am a first-generation, Chicana-Indigena Feminista from Pacoima, California. Last year I earned my Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with formal training in the fields of Social Science and Comparative Education of Race and Ethnic Studies. This accomplishment although very personal, is a major feat for my community and family. I am an interdisciplinary teacher-scholar-activist specializing in Critical Race Theory and Chicana/Latina Feminisms. I hold an A.A. from Los Angeles Mission College, B.A.’s in Chicana/o & Women Gender Studies from UCLA, and an M.Ed. from the University of Utah. My research is centered on Motherscholars of Color movidas (hustles) while co-leading two collectives: Chicana M(other)work Collective and Mothers of Color in Academia (MOCA) de UCLA.
When I’m not at work: I am working on collective publications with my comadres about Motherscholars in the academy. As a creative, I am the artistic eye for design for collaborative or personal efforts. I love to reimagine what a topic looks like as a design or art! I love creating LEGO’s cities with my son or going on walks/bike rides out in nature with him. I am an avid indoor cyclist and represent the #LAChicana hashtag with Peloton. I enjoy cooking, exploring/tasting pastries, and fervor a freshly roasted and brewed cup of coffee.

Laura E. Sponsler, Ph.D, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Denver and serves as the Resident-Scholar for Teaching and Professional Faculty. In her role, Dr. Sponsler integrates teaching, scholarship, and service in service of the institutional mission to be a great private university dedicated to the public good. Her work broadly examines the role of colleges and universities in creating more democratic practices for all constituents and institutionalizing the civic mission of higher education.
Previously, Dr. Sponsler served as the founding director for NASPA’s Lead Initiative, a civic learning and democratic engagement network, and as a practitioner in service-learning. Laura received her Ph.D. in Higher Education and M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, and has a B.S. in biology from Saint Joseph’s University.


Michael Caston
Faculty Fellow of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Email: michael.caston@du.edu
Michael Caston is an Associate Professor of the Practice in Innovation and Product Design and Development in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering department within the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Denver. He teaches courses in product development, entrepreneurship, consumer insights, and market feasibility.
Michael is also the Executive Director of the Innovation Labs, a project-based learning center available to all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Denver. He also serves as the Faculty Director for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community where students learn about and experience entrepreneurship and innovation through hands-on activities in a year-long program designed to introduce students to the startup-world.
Michael is also the founder of a Product and Graphic Design Firm, CAMIC designs LLC.
CAMIC designs was formed in July 2007 and offers product, graphic, packaging, and web design to a variety of organization, from startups to fortune 500 companies: www.camicdesigns.com
CAMIC designs has also produced in-house product lines specifically for non-profit fundraising:
BalletGiftShop.com helping non-profit dance groups with their fundraising needs.
CritterGiftShop.com – helping animal rescues groups raise money.

Lina Reznicek-Parrado is a Spanish Teaching Assistant Professor in the newly formed Department of Spanish Language, Literary and Cultural Studies (SLLCS) where she is involved in efforts to diversify curricula in Spanish and directs the Spanish Program for Heritage/Bilingual speakers. She is an educator and researcher interested in Spanish Heritage Language Pedagogy, Applied Sociolinguistics, and topics surrounding Spanish in the U.S.

Tia Quinlan-Wilder
Faculty Scholar of Assessment
Email: tquinlan@du.edu
- choosing and championing meaningful learning objectives
- measuring (and remeasuring) student learning
- moving beyond a “check-the-box” attitude
- overcoming challenges in assessment
- celebrating assessment growth and success