Janice Blum serves as the dean of the IU Indianapolis Graduate School and the associate vice chancellor for Graduate Education in Indianapolis. She holds a Chancellor’s Professorship at IU with an appointment as a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the IU School of Medicine. Dean Blum is a long-time collaborator with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) on graduate student programming related to teaching and learning. Each year, her office supports a graduate assistant position at the CTL, thus reinforcing our capacity to offer responsive and student-led educational development programs for our graduate students. Dean Blum has played a key role in partnering with the CTL to shepherd new guidelines through IFC for providing required training and development for all new TA’s and students with teaching appointments. These policy guidelines help ensure all students are well prepared for their roles as instructors and assistants on campus. As a result of this work, the university welcomed the largest number of TA’s ever to the Fall 2024 in-person TA Orientation. Dean Blum reports that her greatest joy is helping our students find success and benefit from their time as undergraduate and graduate students at IU Indianapolis.
Pat Clark is currently an instructor of undergraduate physiology at IU School of Medicine Bloomington. Prior to this role, she taught in the IU Indianapolis Department of Biology from Fall 2003 to Spring 2024. Pat is known for her innovative teaching practices in large classroom settings where she emphasizes student belonging, equity, diversity, and a growth mindset. Pat has served as a CTL Faculty Liaison representing the School of Science. In this role, she advocated for teaching and learning, communicated faculty needs to our leadership team, and helped spread the word about the CTL’s programs, events, and services. Despite a demanding teaching and advising schedule, Pat remained actively engaged and dedicated to professional development in teaching and learning with a focus on implementing active and inclusive teaching strategies in her own classes. At our invitation, she has served on search committees, regularly participated in our programming, and has been a steadfast advocate for implementing best practices in teaching at the School of Science and beyond.
Christina Downey is the associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education and dean of University College. Christina joined IU Indianapolis in early 2023, following her academic career that began at IU Kokomo as a faculty member in psychology. Christina’s core mission is to do everything she can to help people thrive and achieve their goals. This drives her daily work for advancing student success on our campus. Christina has played a pivotal part in enhancing career readiness through leadership and support to the CTL’s professional development programs. She has been a key partner with CTL leadership and staff by supporting strategic projects that focus on reducing DFW rates, improving course completion, and advancing student success initiatives. She provides thoughtful input that helps guide our program development and implementation efforts. Christina served on the Steering Committee for the 2024 Plater-Moore Conference on Teaching and Learning, and she has championed the Course (Re)Design Institute on Student Success and Culture of Care in Teaching project.
Ronda Henry Anthony is professor of English and Africana Studies, and Public Scholar of African American Studies Undergraduate Research. She has previously served as the Director of Africana Studies. Ronda is the Founding Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Undergraduate Researchers of Color and the Olaniyan Scholars Program. Currently, she directs the Racially Inclusive Classrooms Program and the Racial Healing Project Initiative. Ronda is not only an excellent collaborator but also a valued friend to the Center for Teaching and Learning. Her contributions include serving on multiple search committees and providing insightful guidance that have enhanced our search selection processes. As an expert in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and equity, she has collaborated closely with our staff to organize and implement the Racially Inclusive Classroom Series.
Meganne Masko is associate professor of music therapy at the Herron School of Art and Design. She specializes in Music Therapy Hospice and Palliative Care Mixed Methods Research. Her interests are in Music Therapist-Provided Spiritual Care at End of Life, Resilience in Healthcare Providers, and Music Therapy and Epigenomics. In addition to her academic role, she is a professional singer, songwriter, music teacher, board-certified music therapist, and social justice advocate. As a former Faculty Forum Fellow, she led faculty writing groups and managed the Digital Teaching Repository. She has been actively engaged with the CTL as a valued presenter and subject matter expert on the topics of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and decolonizing the curriculum. Her workshops reflect her commitment to learner-centered and inclusive approaches to teaching. As a member of the conference steering committee, Meganne played a key role in guiding the planning of the inaugural 2024 Plater-Moore Conference on Teaching and Learning. She collaborated with us in developing a “found poetry” project as a way of engaging conference attendees in a fresh, creative, and meaningful way.
Jason Peercy is a graduate of the Luddy School of Informatics at IU Indianapolis where he specialized in the Media Arts and Science program. Currently, Jason serves as the VR Coordinator at University Library where he oversees the dynamic activities of the VR Lab. Jason has been a key partner to the CTL in our expansion of the XRI Grant Program. This program empowers faculty to experiment virtual and augmented reality in their teaching. Jason has a unique ability to bridge the gap between technical complexity and educational objectives. In collaboration with faculty, staff, and students, Jason actively promotes innovative teaching practices through resources available at the University Library VR Lab. He actively engages in knowledge sharing by leading workshops that equip faculty with skills to effectively utilize and leverage XR technologies. He has an unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of learning and innovation.
Jason Spratt serves as the associate vice chancellor and dean of students, providing leadership and guidance to the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Center, Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student and Family Connections, and Health and Wellness Promotion. Jason is an adjunct assistant professor for the Higher Education and Student Affairs Program at Indiana University. With over 25 years of service in Student Affairs across public, private, and international institutions, Jason plays a key role in supporting our students holistically, both inside and outside the classroom. He regularly shares updates and insights to university committees and leadership ensuring that our instructors receive necessary support and resources. Jason fosters a safe space for students in distress, is an advocate for all learners, and he is there when tragedy befalls our students. Jason manages this difficult but important work with compassion, care, and empathy. His commitment demonstrates that teaching, learning, and student success extends beyond the classroom.
