We are pleased to introduce the newest member of the Instructional Technology team: Ada Crutchfield.

Joining our team as an Instructional Design Specialist, Ada brings over a decade of experience in the edtech field spanning both K-12 and higher education. She has held various roles, including instructional designer, administrative and learning technology coordinator, IT support specialist, and curriculum designer. 

As an instructional designer, Ada engages a high-touch approach to working with faculty for support and outreach, utilizes active learning strategies for training, and prioritizes accessibility. She is committed to leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning with a blend of patience, expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Most recently, Ada served as an Instructional Designer in the Office of Digital Learning at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park.

Ada holds an M.S. in Educational Technology from California State University, Fullerton, and a B.A. in Child & Adolescent Development from San Jose State University. Additionally, she is a Certified Scrum Master in Agile Coaching and a Quality Matters Peer Reviewer. 

Named after the pioneering computer programmer Ada Augusta Lovelace, Ada’s extensive experience and credentials make her a valuable addition to the team, where she will support our mission to enhance instructional technology across the university.

Please join us in welcoming Ada into the UMBC family. We look forward to her contributions to our community.

By Susan Biro, with initial edits by ChatGPT.

It is my pleasure to both introduce and welcome the three newest members of the Instructional Technology team in DoIT: Chimaobi (Mobie) Nwaokomah (pictured at left), Laura Wyatt, and Collin Sullivan. They round out the team that added Dr. Susan Biro in her new role as Online Learning Coordinator in early May of this year. These new staff members add depth and breadth to the existing team as DoIT continues its investment in Instructional Technology.

Chimaobi (Mobie) Nwaokomah joins the team as an Instructional Designer. Mr. Nwaokomah graduated with a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore and completed his Master of Arts in Instructional Systems Development from UMBC in Spring 2019. He also completed graduate certificates from UMBC in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. He previously served as an Instructional Designer and LMS System Administrator at the University of Baltimore, and an e-Learning Specialist at that same institution.

Laura Wyatt also joins the team as an Instructional Designer. Ms. Wyatt graduated with an M.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. In her most recent position, she served as the Associate Director of Instructional Technology at McDaniel College and previously served as their Learning Management System Administrator. 

Collin Sullivan joins the team as a Learning Management System (LMS) Support Specialist. Mr. Sullivan earned both his Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics here at UMBC in May 2019.  He served as an intern in the Instructional Technology office from 2015-2018 where he demonstrated his technical skills and abilities, giving him the foundation to thrive in his new role and support UMBC’s migration to Ultra.

Please join us in welcoming these three dynamic individuals into the UMBC family. We look forward to their future contributions to our community and the institution.

Sincerely,

Sherri Braxton

Senior Director

Instructional Technology

UMBC Division of Information Technology

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Biro has accepted UMBC’s Online Learning Coordinator position in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). She will start full-time on Wednesday, May 8, and serve as the primary point of contact for DoIT’s collaboration with the Division of Professional Studies (DPS) in developing hybrid and online applied master’s programs as part of the new, strategic investment in instructional technology.

With more than 17 years of experience in distance education, Susan brings expertise in many facets of designing, developing, implementing, and administering online programs. In her most recent position as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies at Prince George’s Community College, she was responsible for planning and coordinating the eLearning and technology training teams in their support of online/hybrid courses. Prior to that role, Dr. Biro served as the Director of Distance Education at Carroll Community College where she was responsible for not only ensuring effective use of the learning management system in developing and delivering online, hybrid, and onsite courses, but also ensuring comprehensive administrative services were in place to support online faculty and students. Finally, as Dean of the Online Campus at Berkeley College of New York and New Jersey, Susan served as the chief academic officer for online programs where she mentored full time and adjunct online faculty, managed the planning and creation of programs to enhance online student retention, and assisted in creating institutional standards for credit-for-prior-learning and portfolio development.

Susan earned both her Doctor of Education with a specialization in Leadership in Higher Education and her Master of Education in Adult Education from Widener University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Delaware State University.

Please join us in welcoming Susan into the UMBC family. We look forward to her future contributions to UMBC.

Sincerely,

Sherri Braxton

Senior Director

Instructional Technology

UMBC Division of Information Technology