Distance Learning Conference 2026
Presenter Bios
Krystie Anderson
Associate Professor, English
Roane State Community College
Krystie Anderson is an Associate Professor of English Professor at Roane State, where she has taught Composition, American Literature, and Humanities courses since 2015. Her favorite part of teaching is the interaction with students; the discoveries that surface from conversations about writing and literature never fail to delight and surprise.
Savannah Bernal
Instructional Designer
Chattanooga State Community College
Savannah Bernal is an Instructional Design Specialist at Chattanooga State Community College, where she develops engaging and accessible learning experiences for diverse learners. With a background in early childhood and elementary education, she applies a learner-centered approach to course design. Savannah is passionate about collaboration, continuous improvement, and creating meaningful instructional solutions that support student success.
Parishweta Bhatt
AI Innovation Lead and Senior Instructional Designer
Tennessee Board of Regents
Parishweta Bhatt is a senior instructional designer for the Digital Learning Collaborative (DLC) and a member of the AI Learning Collaborative core team. Pari has been in the online teaching and learning field for over 25 years and focuses on supporting TN eCampus online faculty in online course development/redevelopment, publisher integrations, digital accessibility of online content, and administering the course syllabus management system for all TN eCampus courses. Pari holds a master's degree in computer science, and an MBA, and has held various certifications from QM, OLC, and IAAP related to online course design, course quality reviews, and accessibility of course materials.
Stacie Bradshaw
Associate Professor, Education
Roane State Community College
Stacie Bradshaw currently serves as the Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Education Department at Roane State Community College and has held this position for 15 years. With her background in Education, she has built a reputation for innovative teaching and engaging her students in service-learning activities. During her career, she has presented at multiple national conferences, as well as local conferences. She has also served on many committees around teaching and learning at her own college, at the state level with both TBR and THEC, and within her own and surrounding communities. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and going to the gym or taking a kickboxing class.
Bonita Bryant
Professor
University of Arizona Global Campus
Greetings, I’m Professor Bonita Bryant—educator, author, and advocate for excellence in online learning. With over 30 years of experience in adult education, I design engaging, student-centered virtual environments that promote connection, confidence, and success in diverse and global learning communities. As the creator of Adjunct PowerHouse, I empower instructors to teach with clarity and purpose, and I look forward to sharing practical strategies participants can immediately apply in their online classrooms.
Dr. Marla Cartwright
Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Marla Cartwright serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Teaching & Learning at the Tennessee Board of Regents where she serves as the inaugural leader for the state-wide Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, supporting both CTL Directors and the training needs for the 36 community and technical colleges across Tennessee. Marla has been an administrator and teacher in higher education for over 33 years serving in the roles of Adjunct and Full-time Faculty member, Faculty Trainer, CTL Director, Department Chair, Writing Center Director, and Dean of Academic Engagement & Innovation. Marla’s primary research interests include artificial intelligence in higher education, effective instructor presence in the online classroom, and the impact of Communities of Practice on adjunct faculty sense of belonging and satisfaction. She has presented nationally for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Online Learning Consortium (formerly Sloan-C), the American Association of Community Colleges (AAC&U),the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), the League for Innovation and the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Dr. Dell Clemons
Faculty, Finance
University of Memphis
Dr. S. Dell Clemons is a Senior Business Application Analyst with expertise in instructional design, technology integration, and project management. She holds a Doctor of Education in Instructional Design & Technology and an MBA in Finance from the University of Memphis. In her current role, Dell manages enterprise-level applications, leads technical initiatives, and supports system integration for graduate education programs. She also serves as an adjunct professor. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Dell brings a unique ability to bridge education, technology, and business operations. While focused on process improvement, governance, and user-centered system design, she is driven by a passion for innovation, efficiency, and improved learning outcomes.
Dr. Jessica Dalton-Carriger
Associate Professor, Anthropology
Roane State Community College
Jessica Dalton-Carriger is a professor at Roane State Community College, where she teaches anthropology, sociology, and yoga. She co-leads the Innovations in Teaching and Learning Committee (ITLC) and spearheads AI engagement initiatives across the college, focusing on ethical and effective integration of artificial intelligence in higher education. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a specialization in Native American archaeology. She also earned an M.A. in Sociology from New Mexico State University. Her professional interests include prehistoric archaeology, Native American studies, and the role of AI in higher education, particularly in enhancing teaching, learning, and student engagement.
Charity Davenport
Instructional Technology Specialist, Accessibility
Pellissippi State Community College
Charity Davenport (MS in TESOL; MS in Instructional Technology) is an Instructional Technology Specialist for Accessibility at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is the author of an OER textbook for advanced ESL students called “It’s All Greek to Me!” Before coming to PSCC, she was an ESL instructor for 13 years at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her areas of interest are open educational resources, open pedagogy, accessibility, UDL, and best practices in online teaching and learning.
Melissa Epps
Lead Instructional Innovation Specialist
Sumter School District
Melissa Epps, Lead Instructional Innovation Specialist for Sumter School District in Sumter, South Carolina, brings over 31 years of experience in education. Prior to her current role, Melissa taught high school Career and Technology Education (CTE) courses in Business, Technology, and Marketing. Since 2015, she has served in the Instructional Innovation Department, where she leads school- and district-level professional development with a focus on effective technology integration in classroom instruction. Melissa is passionate about enhancing teaching and learning through robotics and critical thinking strategies. She has presented at numerous local, state, and national conferences, including DENSI, SCEdTech (multiple years), Impact Education Conference, Pellissippi Distance Learning Conference, SC Title I Conference, Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), SCABSE Conference, Georgia EdTech Summit, SCBEA, and FBLA District Leadership events. Melissa is a life learner and enjoys motivating herself and others. She enjoys spending quality time with boys.
Dr. Challa Flemming
Assistant Dean of Clinical Experience
Relay Graduate School of Education
Dr. Challa Flemming has dedicated close to 25 years to the field of education. Dr. Flemming has served as a teacher, instructional coach, school administrator, and assistant professor. She currently serves as a professor, assistant dean, and education consultant. Dr. Flemming earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Mercy College, and a Doctorate in Education from Alverno College. She holds elementary teacher certification in New York and Connecticut and a higher education teaching certificate from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Flemming is deeply committed to the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and antiracism.
Dr. Carolyn Gadsden Holliday
Director of Licensure and Certification Preparation
Relay Graduate School of Education
Dr. Carolyn Gadsden Holliday is an educator and scholar with more than 30 years of experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracist practices, and culturally relevant pedagogy. She holds degrees from Vassar College (B.A.), the New York Institute of Technology (M.S.), and National University (Ph.D.). Dr. Holliday specializes in educator preparation, professional learning, and curriculum design and has served as a K–5 teacher, literacy interventionist, curriculum writer, and instructional coach. Her leadership roles include managing a grant–funded Pre-K teacher–student interaction initiative and serving as Clinical Practice Director. Currently, Dr. Holliday is Director of Licensure and Certification Preparation at Relay Graduate School of Education. Dr. Holliday is Founder and CEO of Equity and Education Solutions, LLC. She developed a research-based Culturally Relevant Coaching framework described in her article Culturally Relevant Coaching: Empowering New Teachers and regularly presents at regional, state, and national conferences.
Dr. Tabetha Garman
Associate Professor, History and Humanities
Northeast State Community College
Dr. Taby Garman is a humanities professor at Northeast State Community College specializing in online course design and student engagement. She has developed innovative course models, including Chronicles of Liberty (American History), Overmountain Rising (Tennessee History) and The Clockwork Society (Technology in Society), which incorporate narrative and gamification to support student success. She is a Tennessee Board of Regents Faculty Innovation Fellow, where her work focuses on developing gamified course frameworks and analyzing best practices for high-quality online education. Her research and teaching emphasize intentional design, faculty decision-making, and strategies that promote engagement, academic integrity, and accessibility in online learning environments.
Dr. Lisa Hammonds
Adjunct Faculty, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences
Dallas College
Dr. Lisa Hammonds, founder of Dove Training & Innovations, is a passionate and results-oriented Education & Training Strategic Partner with a proven track record of innovative course design and professional development. Dr. Hammonds has worked with clients across a broad range of industries including higher education, technology, non-profits, and government. Dr. Hammonds also serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences (ETMS) department at Dallas College.
Dr. Teresa Handy
Interim Department Head, Foundational Skills Competencies Program
University of Arizona Global Campus
Dr. Teresa Leary Handy is Interim Department Head/Program Chair and Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) and the inaugural Open Educational Resources Faculty Fellow. She leads OER initiatives, including UAGC’s first OER Day and OER Create Day and received a grant for her research project Each One, Reach One on faculty women of color. Dr. Handy co-chairs the Faculty Council and serves on multiple boards and is the founder and co-editor of the UAGC TLC Conference Proceedings. She is a former DEI Director who has published peer reviewed research and three children’s books addressing ability differences.
Sarah Hazelton
AI Innovation Lead and CBE Developer
Tennessee Board of Regents
Sarah Hazelton is an AI innovation lead and Competency-based education (CBE) developer for the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). She works with stakeholders and faculty in the design and development of Competency-Based courses and programs. Sarah has built a career in non-profit management and higher education, including more than 10 years supporting and developing CBE programs.
Allison Howard
Instructional Designer
Chattanooga State Community College
Allie is an instructional designer at Chattanooga State Community College with four years of experience developing engaging, learner-centered courses for diverse modalities. She holds an undergraduate degree in Modern Humanities from Lee University and a master’s in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts from the University of St Andrews. For the past nine years, she has also taught foundational humanities courses as an adjunct instructor. Curious and creative by nature, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and diving into new subjects in her free time.
Dr. Erin Hugus
AI Innovation Lead and CBE Developer
Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Erin Hugus is an AI innovation lead and Competency-based education (CBE) developer for the Tennessee Board of Regents. She partners with faculty and institutional stakeholders to design workforce-aligned courses, programs, and AI literacy initiatives across the TBR system. With more than 30 years of experience in education and more than 10 years of experience in competency-based education, she brings expertise in curriculum design, authentic assessment, and strategic AI implementation. She holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Northern Arizona University and is a member of AALHE.
Dr. Leona Johnson
Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Psychology
Florida A&M University
Dr. Johnson earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Howard University, with a sub-specialty in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She also earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University. She has taught Psychology at various universities including Howard University, Grand Canyon University, Liberty University, and Hampton University. At Hampton University, she served in various administrative positions including Psychology Department Chair and Assistant Dean. Dr. Johnson’s appointment at FAMU began in Fall 2019. In Fall 2020, she began serving as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator of the Psychology Department. Dr. Johnson is actively engaged in research and grant writing. She has authored various peer referred journal articles, a book, and a book chapter.
Dr. Erica Lamm-Denny
Instructional Technology Specialist
Creighton University
Dr. Erica Lamm-Denny spent 14 years as a professor, teaching primarily undergraduate communication classes. When life took her to a different city, she found her new calling as an instructional technologist at Creighton University. Her favorite part of this job is being faculty-facing and using her experience with technology (and technology failures!) to help instructors incorporate technology wisely (and without fear) into their classes. She lives with her husband, stepson, Great Dane, and two cats in a suburb of Omaha, NE, where she loves to garden, read, and go for walks around the nearby lake.
Rosie Lee
Instructional Designer
Chattanooga State Community College
Rosie has worked in the education field for over a decade and recently transitioned into the world of instructional design. Passionate about creating engaging and effective learning experiences, she enjoys diving into the programs and processes that support online education. She is always eager to keep learning and growing in the ever-evolving field of distance learning.
Kristen LeFevers
Graduate Teaching Associate, English
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kristen LeFevers is a PhD candidate in English at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). She teaches courses in first-year composition (FYC) for UTK and Pellissippi State Community College. A homegrown West Virginian, she is passionate about confronting linguistic biases in the classroom and making space for students to write in their own voices and dialects, even as they prepare to compose in formal academic discourses. Through her scholarship, she hopes to advocate for the next generation of students from rural Appalachia and empower them to unapologetically embrace both their scholarly and regional identities. When she’s not teaching, Kristen enjoys watching urban exploration videos on YouTube, cross-stitching, baking sweet treats for students, and running Knoxville’s greenways. She’s also frequently trying to keep her TAs - two chaotic but lovable cats - out of trouble. But no matter what she’s doing, she’s always thinking about Appalachia.
Matthew McDonald
Assistant Professor, English
Roane State Community College
Matthew McDonald has been an Assistant Professor of English at Roane State since 2023. He is currently focused on building alignment across Learning Support corequisite courses and encouraging students to make films.
Dawn Mcgehee
Adjunct Instructor, ECED
Pellissippi State Community College
Dawn McGehee holds a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education and has over 20 years of experience across public, private, and higher education. She teaches both second-grade and college-level early childhood courses, blending practical strategies with a passion for supporting diverse learners. Dawn enjoys creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences and building strong relationships with her students. A lifelong learner at heart, she is always exploring new ideas and would happily stay a student forever if it paid.
Dr. Heather Moore
Instructor, Business
McHenry County College
"Your class is just so much more engaging than I'm used to!" Heather earned a DHA and MBA, with expertise in both business and health administration. Her research interests include leadership development, employee turnover, and student engagement. But her passion lies in online education and making education accessible to everyone. As a student, she experienced dull, dry online classes first-hand; as an educator, she's committed to making the online education experience as rich and engaging as every student deserves.
Dr. Jamie Nelson
AI Innovation Lead and CBE Developer
Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Jamie Nelson is an AI Innovation Lead and Competency-based education (CBE) developer for the Tennessee Board of Regents. She leads system-wide efforts to integrate AI best practices into teaching and learning, supporting educators in enhancing instruction. This work also helps staff use AI to improve workflows in effective, responsible, and meaningful ways. In addition to her AI leadership, Dr. Nelson is part of a team to expand Competency-Based Education (CBE) across TBR colleges. She frequently presents on AI strategy, assessment design, workforce alignment, and scalable training in higher education. Dr. Nelson holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Dr. John Noto
Associate Professor, Biology, Anatomy, and Physiology
Roane State Community College
John Noto is an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Physiology with a Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His teaching and scholarship sit at the intersection of human biology, learning science, and the evolving role of technology in higher education. He is currently developing curriculum and assessment tools grounded in project-based learning and other evidence-based practices, designed for the high-stakes science courses that define pre-professional education.
Kate O'Meara
Associate Professor, English
Pellissippi State Community College
Kate O'Meara has worked at Pellissippi for over a decade in various capacities, and has loved being a Teaching Full Circle facilitator for the last five years. As part of that program, as well through work in curriculum design, she has acquired quite a number of quirky strategies and ideas that can make pedagogy more fun, exciting, and engagement. She is looking forward to sharing some of what she has learned, and picking up more ideas.
Caitlin Peffers
Instructor, Sciences & Nursing - Biology
Pellissippi State Community College
Caitlin Peffers is a biology Instructor at Pellissippi State Community College. She received her B.S. degree majoring in Entomology from Michigan State University and her M.S. from The Ohio State University. Being exposed to virtual learning first as a student and then as an educator has helped shape her teaching to promote engagement and learning in multiple formats. At Pellissippi, she teaches a mix of face to face and online synchronous/asynchronous classes and loves finding new activities that can work in both an in-person and virtual format.
Christopher Pericolosi
Adjunct Instructor, English
Pellissippi State Community College
Christopher Pericolosi-King is an Adjunct Professor of English at Pellissippi State Community College, where he teaches composition and literature courses with a focus on rhetorical awareness, identity, and writing as both relationship and performance. His pedagogical approach emphasizes helping students move beyond summary into meaningful analysis by making their thinking visible and intentional. He is particularly interested in how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, reshape student writing practices and how instructors can respond with ethical, inclusive strategies. Christopher holds an M.A. in 19th-Century British Literature, with a focus on Queer Theory. His research explores “queer stagnation” as a performative crisis of masculinity across literary traditions. In both his scholarship and teaching, he is committed to bridging theory and practice in ways that empower students as writers.
Dr. Hannah Ruehl
Instructional Designer, Digital Learning/Writing
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Hannah Ruehl, Ph.D. is an instructional designer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she collaborates with faculty to create engaging, accessible, research-informed online and hybrid courses. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education as both a teacher, faculty instructional consultant, and instructional designer. She holds a Ph.D. in Victorian literature, which informs her interdisciplinary approach to teaching, learning, and faculty development. Her work focuses on curiosity, student motivation, inclusive teaching, and thoughtful uses of technology. Outside of work, Hannah is usually trying to perfect a French macaron, corral her children, or discover new ways to form sustainable habits
Ron Rupard
PhD Student & Research Graduate Assistant
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Ron Rupard is a PhD student in Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, concentrating in Learning, Design, and Technology. As a Graduate Research Assistant, he is heavily involved in researching AI in education, K-12 education, and in-service/pre-service teacher preparation. With over 10 years of experience as a secondary instructor, administrator, and instructional coach, he is passionate about knowledge and helping improve the learning process for all. He is married to Kristin, and has 3 wonderful children, Jackson (11), Riley Jo (5) and James (3) who fuel his passion for impacting K-12 education.
Anthony Smith
Adjunct
Pellissippi State Community College
Harison Smith
Adjunct Instructor, Math
Pellissippi State Community College
Harison Smith is an educator dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning through data-informed practices. She serves as an adjunct mathematics instructor at Pellissippi State Community College. Harison is committed to fostering meaningful and equitable learning experiences, and to supporting student success through innovative, evidence-based instructional approaches.
Jennifer Stowe
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Roane State Community College
Jennifer Stowe is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Roane State Community College in Tennessee, where she teaches Introductory Psychology, Lifespan Development, Social Psychology, and the Biological Basis of Behavior. Her work focuses on helping students connect psychological science with real world application through active learning and applied classroom experiences. Stowe holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Furman University and a Master’s degree in Psychology with a biopsychology concentration from Florida State University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Liberty University. Her professional interests include neuroscience education, lifespan development, student engagement in community college learning environments, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in higher education. She is particularly interested in how AI can support deeper learning while strengthening critical thinking and academic integrity.
Ciera Spady
Adjunct Professor, Psychology
Morris Brown College
Ciera Spady is a adjunct professor in the Psychology department at Morris Brown and she also serves as a school counselor at Clearview Middle School in New Jersey. Ciera is currently a doctorial student at Rowan University, with a dissertation titled Exploring the Impact of Mentorship for Black Women at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Her passions include mental health support, providing mentorship experiences, and supporting study abroad experiences.
Hollyanna White
Instructional Designer
Chattanooga State Community College
Hollyanna White is an experienced instructional designer with over 26 years in higher education. Beginning her career as a college professor, she developed a strong foundation in teaching, learning, and student engagement that continues to shape her work today. Throughout her career, Hollyanna has focused on creating high-quality, accessible course experiences that support both faculty and students. She specializes in course development, streamlining processes to make course creation more efficient and effective, and helping educators transform ideas into meaningful learning experiences.
Myndalynn Word
Adjunct Instructor, English
Roane State Community College
Myndalynn Word is an Adjunct English Instructor at Roane State Community College and Pellissippi State Community College, where she teaches Composition I and II, Reading Support, and Writing Support. She loves being in the classroom, sharing her passion of reading and writing with her students.