Keynote Speaker

2024 Keynote Speakers

 

Monday March 18 8:30 am

Keynote Speaker: Jeffrey Nasse

Dr. Jeffrey P. Nasse is the College Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Broward College. As the college’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Nasse is responsible for all academic programs, services, and operations as well as student services, facilities, auxiliary services, campus safety and information technology. Since first joining the college in 2005 as a professor of English, Dr. Nasse has led several academic units at the college including the academic departments of English, Communication, Foreign Language, and Fine Arts; college library and academic success centers; curriculum services; institutional assessment; and dual enrollment.  His educational executive leadership experience includes serving as academic dean for the Teacher Education Program, BC’s North Campus as well as the college Vice Provost for Academic Affairs before stepping into his current role of College Provost.  Dr. Nasse attended East Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication in 1999 and a Master of Arts in English in 2002. He completed his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research Methodology at Florida Atlantic University in 2013. Before college, he served in the United States Marine Corps.


Tuesday March 19 8:30 am

Keynote Panel: Rita Kumar, Bradford Mallory, Natalia Darling

Rita Kumar

 

Dr. Rita Kumar is a professor of English at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College (UCBA). Rita is the co-editor of the recently published book Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education: Strategies for Teaching. She served as the founding executive director of the UC Faculty Enrichment Center, 2019-2023 and the co-director of the UCBA Learning and Teaching Center, 2015-2019. She is the co-recipient of the 2019 Dr. Marian Spencer Equity Ambassador Award for organizations at UC. Her research focuses on inclusive classroom practices, faculty development and Problem-based learning (PBL). She is the 2013-14 recipient of the UC Blue Ash College Innovative Teaching Award for her inventive use of PBL in the classroom.
Rita has shared her research nationally and globally in close to hundred presentations and published in several peer- reviewed journals such as Teaching English in the Two-Year College, International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem -Based Learning, Writing Pedagogy, and To Improve the Academy. Rita is a member of the UC Academy of Fellows for Teaching and Learning at UC. She serves on the American Council on Education Women’s Network-Ohio (ACE-WNO).

Bradford Mallory

 

Bradford Mallory is a professor of Biology and the Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College. His research and creative activities include the impact of incorporating DEI into first year courses, promoting equity and inclusion in STEM, promoting cultural humility and ways to teach culturally responsive care to students in healthcare programs, and holistic approaches to creating an inclusive and welcoming campus community. Brad is a member of the University of Cincinnati Academy of Fellows for Teaching and Learning (AFTL), a former co-director of the UC Blue Ash Learning and Teaching Center, and the co-recipient of the 2019 UC Marian Spencer Equity Ambassador Award.

Natalia Darling

 

Natalia Darling is a professor of Mathematics at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College (UCBA). Her background is in Electrical Engineering, Telephony, and Finance, and she currently teaches developmental and first-year algebra courses. Natalia’s research interests focus on student perceptions, experiences, and achievements in online and hybrid mathematics courses that integrate asset-based pedagogies. This includes activities based on Universal Design for Learning framework and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy to develop student self-efficacy in math and support successful metacognitive learning strategies. She is the recipient of the 2019 UCBA Distinguished Teaching Award, and the 2019 Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection (GC3) Excellence in Teaching recognition. Natalia has presented her research and teaching strategies locally, nationally, and internationally.