Desmond McCaffrey

Interim Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

desmond.mccaffrey@uconn.edu

Desmond McCaffrey serves as Interim Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at the University of Connecticut. He provides strategic leadership for faculty development, online and hybrid learning, instructional design, educational technologies, and academic innovation initiatives across the university.

Stacey Valliere

Admin. Assistant

(860) 486-2686
stacey.valliere@uconn.edu

Stacey provides direct support to the directors in CETL, coordinates teaching seminars, orientations, and receptions.

Daniel Facchinetti

Director of Educational Technologies

daniel.facchinetti@uconn.edu

Dan oversees the operations of the Educational Technologies Office and leads support across the university on the use of HuskyCT, video conferencing, recording technologies, student response systems, and other educational technology platforms as part of teaching across all modalities. Dan also leads EdTech's involvement in the evaluation and implementation of new products and platforms that might benefit students and instructors.

Samantha Hannagan

Educational Technologist

samantha.hannagan@uconn.edu

Samantha supports faculty in their use and adoption of a wide array of educational technologies including HuskyCT, Webex, Kaltura, Voicethread, and many others. He assists with the daily support EdTech provides to the university, offers workshops, develops online resources, and holds one-on-one consultations on a wide variety of EdTech matters.

Haleigh Sylvester

Educational Technologist

haleigh.sylvester@uconn.edu

Bio coming soon

Vacant

Director of Faculty Development

Xiaochen Liu, PhD

Faculty Development Specialist

xiaochen.liu@uconn.edu

Xiaochen works with faculty and teaching assistants at UConn and provides support remotely to faculty, students and staff at Schwarzman College--Tsinghua University. Her primary focus is on pedagogically aligned educational technologies for in-person, hybrid, and remote learning, and effective utilization of the Blackboard Learning Management System to enhance student learning outcomes.

Andi Kent, PhD

(they/them/theirs)
Assistant Director of Faculty Development

andi.kent@uconn.edu 

Andi joined UConn and CETL in October 2024 after over a decade as a Political Science professor. Their interests in teaching and learning are broad - including new course design, creating accessible learning spaces and using games in the classroom. An ultimate cheerleader for creative and thoughtful teaching, Andi participates in all types of teaching and learning activities including individual consultation, learning community-type small-group programming and campus-wide initiatives. Because of their experience at regional, teaching institutions, Andi works closely with UConn's regional campuses in Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury.

Cheryl Sellers

Administrative Assistant

(860) 486-2364
cheryl.sellers@uconn.edu

Cheryl provides direct support to eCampus administrators and staff, and administrative support for faculty working with eCampus staff, including coordination of calendars and eCampus meetings. She also maintains online course databases.

Heather Breittholz (Ph.D.)

Instructional Designer

heather.breittholz@uconn.edu

Heather collaborates with faculty to design and develop student-centered instruction for online and hybrid/blended courses. She is particularly interested in faculty engagement and satisfaction when teaching online with emerging technologies within higher education.

Betsy Guala

Instructional Designer

betsy.guala@uconn.edu

Betsy collaborates with faculty to design and develop student-centered instruction for fully online, hyrbrid/blended, and flipped courses. She is particularly interested in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and making educational experiences accessible to all learners.

Cathy Healy

Instructional Designer

catherine.healy@uconn.edu

Cathy works with faculty to design and develop high-quality online and hybrid courses for students. In addition, she collaborates with her eCampus colleagues to develop and facilitate faculty development workshops on a variety of topics related to online teaching and learning.

David Morrow

Assistant Director, eLearning
eLearning Developer

david.morrow@uconn.edu

David works with faculty and instructional design staff to develop and implement online and blended courses. He recommends and implements instructional solutions through the use of technology grounded in educational theory and instructional design precepts.

Jennifer Parker

Instructional Designer

jennifer.parker@uconn.edu

Jennifer provides faculty instructional design and technology support for the creation and implementation of online, hybrid, and flipped courses.

Timothy Stubbs

Instructional Designer

timothy.stubbs@uconn.edu

Tim collaborates with faculty members to design and develop online and blended courses.

Eileen Stuyniski

Assistant Director, Instructional Design
Instructional Designer

eileen.stuyniski@uconn.edu

Eileen uses her pedagogical and technological expertise to collaborate with UConn faculty as they transform their traditional face-to-face courses and programs into high quality online and blended learning experiences.

Sarah Hubelbank

eLearning Developer 1

sarah.hubelbank@uconn.edu

Sarah provides instructional development eLearning support by analyzing and creating innovative, technology-based, instructional solutions for various educational settings based on educational technology and instructional design methods.

Kelsey Keefe

eLearning Developer

kelsey.keefe@uconn.edu

Kelsey provides instructional development support by analyzing and creating innovative, technology-based, instructional solutions for various educational settings and needs using educational technology and instructional design methods.

Gordon Daigle

Director of Media Production 

(860) 486-2472
gordon.daigle@uconn.edu

Gordon works with faculty and staff to produce custom, high-definition media in support of education and instruction, and in support of eCampus supported academic programs.

Michael Illuzzi

Media Producer

(860) 486-1759
michael.illuzzi@uconn.edu

Mike works with faculty and staff to produce custom, high-definition media in support of education and instruction, and in support of eCampus supported academic programs.

John Redden, PhD

Associate Professor in Residence, Physiology and Neurobiology

(860) 486-4708
john.redden@uconn.edu

John is an Associate Professor in Residence in the department of Physiology and Neurobiology.  In his work with CETL, John provides thought leadership about how to elevate teaching and learning outcomes in large courses through active learning and integration of educational technologies.  

Xinnian Chen, PhD

Professor in Residence, Physiology & Neurobiology

(860) 486-6169

xinnian.chen@uconn.edu

Xinnian is a Professor-in Residence and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Physiology & Neurobiology.

Qazi Arka Rahman

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Critical Inquiry

(959) 200-3808
qazi_arka.rahman@uconn.edu

Qazi Arka Rahman investigates the convergence of artificial intelligence, digital humanities, and critical pedagogy – with particular attention to epistemological frameworks that govern technological engagement in higher education. Arka advocates for approaches to AI that balance critical reflection, innovation, and pragmatism. His work includes designing AI-focused libguide and academic materials, facilitating workshops on responsible AI usage, and curating digital projects that bridge technology and humanistic inquiry. He collaborates with faculty to develop resources and strategies for integrating AI into their courses while considering disciplinary integrity.

Lina, Kloub, Ph.D

Assistant Professor in Residence, School of Computing

lina.kloub@uconn.edu

Lina is an Assistant Professor in Residence at School of Computing. In her work with CETL, Lina helps instructors integrate AI into their pedagogy, addressing both opportunities and challenges to enhance educational practices. Her work focuses on student engagement, inclusivity, and career readiness through AI-driven teaching and learning. 

Milagros Castillo-Montoya, EdD

Associate Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs

(860) 486-3250
milagros.castillo-montoya@uconn.edu

Milagros is an Associate Professor in Educational Leadership in the Neag School of Education.  Milagros' focus is on inclusive teaching in college classrooms, particularly in terms of enhancing the learning experience for racially minoritized students.

Noga Shemer, PhD

Assistant Professor in Residence, Anthropology

(860) 486-2137
noga.shemer@uconn.edu

Noga is an Assistant Professor in Residence in Anthropology.  Noga's focus is on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom.