All posts by Christine Bell

Meet CELT! Lei Song

Instructional Design, Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Lei Song, one of our new instructional designers!

Headshot of LeiWhat is your favorite part of your job?

The connections I made with people: students, professors, my coworkers across the universities where I worked. I feel lucky to have met many wonderful people through work, whose kindness and wisdom shine as stars in the night sky.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I worked as a faculty development assistant at the University Teaching Center at Miami University, while I was still a graduate student. Then I worked as an instructional designer at Miami eLearning and the University of Toledo for the past ten years.

Coffee or tea?

Both. 

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

Japan (Kyoto) and Alaska.

What was the last book you read? 

The Choice, Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eger. I am currently reading a new book written by Dr. Theodore Schwartz: Gray Matters, a Biography of Brain Surgery. I like that both authors were great story tellers and were able to describe complex matters in a simple way.

Meet CELT! Yasmene Kimble

Assessment, Instructional Design, Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Yasmene Kimble, our new assessment specialist!

Headshot of YasmeneWhat is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is analyzing data to support student outcomes.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Before joining CELT, I worked primarily in K-12 education holding roles as a teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and academic director. I also have experience in instructional design and implementation for adult literacy programs.

Coffee or tea?

I love tea, especially green tea.

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

I would like to visit Thailand.

What was the last book you read? 

The last book I read was  Beautiful Days by Zach Williams.

Meet CELT! Allison McCann

Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Allison McCann, our new Operations Manager!

Headshot of AllisonWhat is your favorite part of your job?

I love tackling challenges, especially through collaboration. I’m fascinated by how different people think and the magic that happens when we come together to accomplish something greater than ourselves.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Before joining CELT, I worked as a Special Projects Coordinator for Suffolk County, where I managed cross-departmental initiatives and helped streamline operations. The experience gave me a good foundation in project management methodologies and working in public systems.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning, tea at night – and both always served hot, even in the summer.

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

Hogwarts Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

What was the last book you read? 

Eleanor and Hick. I love reading – usually historical fiction, fantasy, or spirituality. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is my all-time favorite — it’s my #1 book recommendation whenever anyone asks.

Meet CELT! Aracely Mahay

Instructional Design, Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Aracely Mahay, one of our new instructional designers!

Headshot of AracelyWhat is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of being an instructional designer is supporting faculty to create meaningful student experiences that transcend the classroom.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Prior to CELT, I worked at St. Johns University as an instructional designer (2024) and Farmingdale State College as a support administrator (2020-2024) providing support related to aspects of distance education including: faculty and student support, course design best practices, teaching and learning technologies.

Coffee or tea?

This is a hard one, hmmm … coffee!

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

Anywhere there’s a beautiful beach and warm weather but if I had to choose, Fiji is on the top of my list!

What was the last book you read? 

The last book I read was Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King.