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

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? 

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

What 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!

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

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

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

What 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

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

What 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

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

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

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

What 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.

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

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

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Dini Diskin-Zimmerman, TV Producer/Director. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

Teaching and Directing television, seeing students’ lights go on!

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Directed television for ABC News, CNN, the Food Network and others.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

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

Prague

What was the last book you read? 

My cookbooks….in particular, “I Love NY” by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara – such fun!

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Jennifer Jaiswal, Instructional Designer and Senior Instructional Technologist 

What is your favorite part of your job?

What I love the most about my job is getting to learn from the faculty that I work with. Each meeting gives me the opportunity to learn about their discipline as we talk through teaching and learning practices. I love that I can move from a conversation on medical ethics to the Mahabharata, the longest epic poem ever written, to designing assessments for how we can adapt the human body to extreme climate. There is always more to learn.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Prior to working in CELT or its predecessor, TLT, I worked in instructional technology support at Hunter College.

Coffee or tea?

Tea! I love going out with friends for a traditional high tea service with scones and clotted cream. They give you a moment of calm and companionship with no rush to return to work or other responsibilities

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

Bali, temples, history, local culture and beaches.

What was the last book you read? 

For  work: On Teaching Science by Jeffrey Bennett. Good common sense approaches to science education.

For myself: Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America’s Most Storied Hospital by David Oshinsky. One of the best books I’ve read on the history of medicine and combining it with the history of New York City and the United States.