Service

As evidenced by my Curriculum Vita, my service to Niagara University has only grown since 2015, when I first began teaching. In the past I have worked with the Brennan Center on their National Foreign Language Program regarding technologies for language acquisition, served on a dissertation committee for a doctoral candidate, and worked with the Department of Mathematics to develop their current Diagnostic Test that places students in the appropriate level math courses. In the past few years year, I have continued to serve the NU community by being both a mentee and mentor in the Faculty Mentorship Program for NU colleagues, participating in a workgroup for the Senate’s General Education Committee creating university-wide student learning outcomes (SLOs) for new Experiential Learning General Education courses, and serving on the University’s Committee on Committees. This past year I also served on an ad hoc committee developed by the University; the AI Task Force. My role in this task force has been in developing an instrument to collect data related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) knowledge, use, perception, and concerns on campus from faculty, staff, and students. Last year, I was able to bring my passion and decade of experience as a figure skating coach to the NU community. I worked with Club Officers, Derek Puff, Bill Newton, NUSGA, and Dwyer Arena to establish an approved University Club Sport for figure skating recognized as an intercollegiate club by the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA). I am serving as the Faculty Advisor for the Niagara University Club Figure Skating (NUCFS), currently with 58 members. With a rink on campus and an ever-growing market for on-ice sports, this club has already gained interest through their social media and USFSA website promotion from local and regional skaters looking to attend a college where they can continue their skating careers.

From working as a Graduate Assistant in the Dean’s Office to working as a Research Assistant during my doctoral studies, I have served the College of Education in many ways that pre-date my time as a full-time faculty member. While an Adjunct Professor, I was able to participate in the faculty interviews during the CAEP Accreditation Site Visit, serve as a College of Education Ambassador connecting with accepted and potential students, and serve as an alumni representative at Dr. Paul Vermette’s annual Niagara University Student Teacher Showcase. Last year I was appointed as co-chair of the Teacher Education Academic Content Committee (TEAC) with Dr. Maritza Branker from the Department of Mathematics. We held out first meeting in the Dinning Center and set the built a foundation for sharing information and opening lines of communication between the teacher education department and content-oriented departments across the College of Arts and Sciences. Last year I was also appointed as co-chair of the Partnership Inventory Committee with Dr. Liz Falzone. During our first semester, we were able to develop and finalize an instrument to inventory existing College of Education and program specific partnerships that will be used to document the impact of these partnerships for accreditation and to promote awareness among College of Education members. Most recently, I took on the additional leadership role of Program Coordinator for the M.S.Ed. Elementary and Secondary Education programs in the College of Education. Having done this in the past at Medialle University, I was able to work closely with the Department Chair and undergraduate Program Coordinator on scheduling, staffing, and overall program development. In addition to serving in a leadership role on committees, I was able to attend and host portions of open house and information session events as the teacher education department faculty representative. This permitted me to proactively begin building relationships with future NU students and share my passion for the field of education.   

My service extends into the discipline of teacher education. Through my Graduate Assistantship at NU, I became familiar with Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international honor society in education, and it had to offer their members. In my role as Program Director at Medaille University, I was able to charter a chapter of KDP and serve as Chapter Counselor. In addition to this former leadership role, I am currently serving as the President on the ISEP Board of Directors, as well as the East Regional Representative and Publications Editor on the AILACTE Executive Committee. Through my roles on the editorial boards of the Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE), Educational Planning, and the AILACTE Journal I have reviewed numerous manuscripts for potential publication. This past year I accepted the position of Assistant Editor for the AILACTE Journal. This past year I reviewed submissions for the AECT Division of Distance Learning Journal Article Award as well as the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference Proposals for both their Division K Teacher & Teacher Education and Instructional Technology SIG. This year I accepted an invitation to serve on the ATE Conference Planning Committee that will be held in Summer 2024 in Denver, CO, as well as an invitation to chair the AILACTE Conference Planning Committee that will be held in Spring 2024 in Denver, CO. Most recently, I was asked and agreed to serve on the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Association Development and Membership (ADM) committee to work on enhancing the membership experience for the organization. I also attend quarterly meetings held by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) to stay up to date on the many updates released from the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

Given NU’s Vincentian Mission, it is important to mention my service to the community. I continue to serve on the advisory board for AKE Games Inc., a start-up company that focuses on the development of unique games for P-12 physical education. To date, these games have been adopted by Athletic Directors in Niagara Wheatfield and other districts for P-12 physical education, as well as incorporated within several educational summer camps. Last year I joined the Niagara Falls City Schools Technology Committee in an effort to work with P-12 partners to harness technology in the field and improve the appropriate use of technology in education. To date, the committee has already sought input related to the technology recently purchased by the university for the Academic Complex, as well as collaboration related to the technologies being supported by districts and used by teachers in the classroom. This year, I was able to further serve the community through my role as the advisor for Club Figure Skating. Myself, Dr. Liz Falzone, advisor for the Niagara University Future Teacher’s Club (NUFTA), and the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement were able to direct Story Lane on Ice at Dwyer Arena for the second year. This event for the community brought children and their families on campus to participate in on- and off-ice educational activities, like a guided story read around the rink to stimulate early literacy practices. I look forward to hosting this joint event in years to come!