Category Archives: Meet CELT

Meet CELT! Jeffrey Iannone

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Jeffrey Iannone, our new Instructional Designer!

Jeffrey Ianonne, Instructional Designer at CELTWhat is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is learning new ways to help faculty engage their students.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I mostly worked in instructional design positions and taught Psychology classes.

Coffee or tea?

Always coffee.

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

South America seems like a really interesting place to visit, so any country there for the most part.

What was the last book you read? 

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin

Time for Tea with Luis

Luis Colón

CELT Instructional Designer, Luis Colón

Welcome Luis Colón, a new instructional designer at the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at SBU. Read on to learn a little more about him.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job so far is working with a great team who have been extremely welcoming and supportive of my growth. I also love working on engaging learning content and being a part of the learning process for students, faculty, and staff.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?
I started my career as a middle school English teacher where I taught 8th grade. I taught courses such as English 8, Intensive Reading, Creative Writing, and more. I also worked with students to develop multimedia for the school for school productions as well as for the weekly video announcements.

a cup of tea
Take a break for tea.

Coffee or tea?
I don’t drink coffee at all, only tea. There’s so many different kinds of tea to try!

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?
I would love to visit Japan at some point in my life. I have always wanted to go ever since I was really young and I enjoy learning about its culture and history.

What was the last book you read?
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

Meet CELT! Jinna Kim

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Jinna Kim, Postdoc.

Jinna Kim What is your favorite part of your job?

The team members! Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help. The team members say a lot about the job–and I enjoy the presence of every member. 🙂

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I was an Academic Program Specialist at the University of Florida. I developed academic programs and coached students who are often underrepresented in postsecondary education to lead them to success.

Coffee or tea?

Always coffee–nothing added. Just dark black coffee.

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

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

What was the last book you read? 

Linguistic identity in postcolonial multilingual spaces. For fun, The 7 habits of highly effective people.

Meet CELT! Amie Cohen

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Amie Cohen, Assistant Director of Faculty Development – Testing Assessment, & Evaluation.

Amie CohenWhat is your favorite part of your job?

The opportunity to work with faculty to help them incorporate new and innovative ways to assess student learning in their courses.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Prior to working in CELT, I worked more directly with students, most recently as an Undergraduate College Advisor for first-year students at SBU, and previously as a Career Coach in the Career Center. In all of my previous positions in higher education, my position involved taking the lead on the assessment of student learning in both courses and programs, which is what led me to my current role with CELT!

Coffee or tea?

Coffee, but I also enjoy a good Iced Tea!

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

It is hard to narrow down to one place, but if the length of travel was less of a deterrent, I would love to visit Australia!

What was the last book you read? 

I recently reread Little Women, after watching the most recent screen adaptation!

Meet CELT! Jenny Zhang

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Jenny Zhang, instructional Designer.  

Jenny Zhang

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working with amazing educators and colleagues in an academic setting is the most exciting part. 

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Before joining CELT, I worked as an instructional designer at other universities and colleges in New York and Florida.

Coffee or tea?

Tea. I am a certified tea master. 

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

Turkey. It has a rich history and culture with Asian and European heritage. 

What was the last book you read? 

Small Teaching Online by Flower Darby and James Lang

Meet CELT! Rose Tirotta

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Rose Tirotta, Director.

Rose TirottaWhat is your favorite part of your job?

How can I choose just one?! I love working with faculty and staff on innovative projects around teaching and learning, but also like to take the time to reflect on the data we collect and explore what we can offer to better support and collaborate with folks across campus!

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I started my career as a high school English teacher, but most recently was at Hofstra University for over 13 years prior to joining CELT.

Coffee or tea?

I love, love, love coffee, but am always up for some herbal tea as well…after my coffee 🙂

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

I’ve been to Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris, but I’d love to visit the rest of the Disney parks across the world!

What was the last book you read? 

The Light of Lunar Park by Addison Armstrong

Meet CELT! Lorraine Carroll

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Lorraine Carroll, Opscan Supervisor. 

Lorraine CarrollWhat is your favorite part of your job?

Helping faculty make sure their exams are processed quickly and accurately.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Worked at the Carol Baldwin Breast Care Center in Radiology.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

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

Greenland

What was the last book you read? 

What Happened To You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry

Meet CELT! Joseph Lodato

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Joseph C. Lodato, Instructional Support, Video & Media Specialist.

Joseph Lodato What is your favorite part of your job?

Helping offices become more efficient by utilizing Navigate and creating fun videos for students, staff, and faculty.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I was an Admissions Counselor at a private college in NY.

Coffee or tea?

Both!

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

The Shire, Middle Earth (After the ring was destroyed).

What was the last book you read? 

A Spell For Chameleon by Piers Anthony

Meet CELT! Yiren Kong

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Yiren Kong, Postdoc. 

YIren KongWhat is your favorite part of your job?

I love that this job opens up numerous possibilities of learning in a nurturing environment. I also love that I am working in a caring and supportive team where everyone grows together.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I have been conducting educational research for the past decade, specifically in the field of educational technology and foreign language education. I enjoy working with different researchers and getting involved in different research projects.

Coffee or tea?

I mostly just drink water. If I have to pick one, I am more of a coffee person.

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

In real life, I want to visit Finland to stay in one of those glass igloos and see the northern lights. Fictionally, I’d like to visit OASIS from Ready Player One.

What was the last book you read? 

I have been reading “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” by Al Sweigart recently.

Meet CELT! Carol Hernandez

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Carol Hernandez, Senior Instructional Designer. 

Carol Hernandez What is your favorite part of your job?

Meeting people from throughout the university and learning about their work.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I worked at Long Island University as an instructional designer.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

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

Colorado

What was the last book you read? 

Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

by Clarissa Pinkola Estés