Major achievements at Emory Continuing Education
▶ 13 professional certificate programs developed or co-developed
▶ 77 courses designed and taught in multiple sections
▶ 30 ad hoc and formal workshops developed and taught
▶ Thousands of graduates over a 20-year career at Emory
Many firsts at Emory University
- First faculty member to develop and teach 100% online
- Set record for enrollment and annual course income
- Developed the first Digital Marketing Certificate at Emory
- Custom coded interactive course pages in the LMS Canvas
- Developed the first Graphic Design Certificate at Emory
- Created foundational and advanced programs in the department
- Set record for enrollment and annual course income
- Developed the first Digital Marketing Certificate at Emory
- Custom coded interactive course pages in the LMS Canvas
- Developed the first Graphic Design Certificate at Emory
- Created foundational and advanced programs in the department
Program performance
The 13 programs I developed or co-developed at Emory were designed with a forward-thinking, future-proofing strategy for my students. I always looked for ways to improve and build on the foundations that worked, whether in the program as a whole or in each class and workshop. This approach ensured my graduates are more competitive in their fields; more agile and adaptable; are leaders, teachers, and mentors; and are moving into advanced positions in their chosen fields. My aim is to provide a path for self-discovery and the opportunities for students to choose their paths.
- Popular courses: My courses were among the most popular in the professional programs area.
- Instant results: Many students secured jobs immediately after taking my introductory courses.
- Long-lasting relationships: The greatest achievement I can list is all theirs. I maintain contact with many of my graduates who have founded companies, become educators, and taken on leadership roles. Nothing I have done at Emory University in 20 years is more rewarding to me.
Teaching and instructional design philosophy
My teaching philosophy is grounded in a student-centric ideology. I design courses with accessibility in mind, ensuring they are diverse and engaging and thought-provoking to encourage students to think differently about the subject matter. My goal is to create a learning environment that helps students discover something unexpected, new, and meaningful for themselves.
Key courses decisions that paid-off
Within my 13 programs, I developed 77 courses and 30 workshops. Key decisions that paid off included:
- Depth and breadth: Infusing programs and courses with more depth than typical adult education, balancing technology, theory, practice, planning, strategy, and execution.
- Diverse learning: Mixing how to deliver educational opportunities for individuals with different learning needs, creating exciting opportunities for students to find their way to apply what they learn.
- Practical tools: Many students use my course materials in their jobs years after taking the course, finding them essential for ongoing success.
My interview on teaching
It's not often a writer finds herself on the other side of an interview, in this case discussing her role as an educator. Yet, it's a pleasure and a unique opportunity to reflect on how teaching is as much about learning as it is about imparting knowledge. Through this interview, I had the chance to discuss student-centric instructional design, a philosophy that has always empowered me to deliver my best to the remarkable individuals I meet in the classroom. They invite us into their lives, where we witness profound transformations and growth.
