About IDEA
Introduction
The mission of the University of Maryland School of Social Work IDEA team is to support quality teaching, learning and research. We provide services and resources related to instructional design, eLearning, pedagogy, educational technology, assessment, and evaluation. We partner with SSW faculty to design high-quality, accessible, and impactful online and hybrid courses. We put our knowledge of research-based practices, assessment, and alignment of curriculum, tools and technologies for teaching and learning, innovation, and experimentation to work for the School of Social Work. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the IDEA Team is led by the Assistant Dean of Instructional Design and Technology.
It is best to email ideateam@ssw.umaryland.edu to reach any of us for any of your needs. One individual may respond to you based on your needs and our availability.
Meet the Team
Dr. Clark Shah-Nelson, DBA, MA
Assistant Dean of Instructional Design and Technology
IDEA Team leadership, Blackboard and documentation support, instructional design, and training oversight
Bike commuter, beer brewer, papa to two fine fellows, husband to an MSW Macro Education Community Coordinator
Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
Burrito master, electronic musician, retired actor, hiker, fairly fluent in Norwegian and German
Research interests include virtual teams and collaboration, knowledge management, mindfulness, and leadership and synchronous communications
Ashlie Kauffman Sarsgard, MFA, MA
Lead Instructional Designer
Online/Hybrid course design and redesign, training and faculty development, orientations
Interests in writing instruction, flipped classrooms, activism, urban farming, and gardening practices
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Poetry) from New York University, Master of Arts in Writing (Fiction) from Johns Hopkins University, and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Fiction) from the University of Maryland, College Park
Colin Fagan, MS.
Sr. Instructional Technology Specialist
Blackboard, Course Evaluations, and Competency Data Support
Golfer, Lacrosse player, and father of two amazing little girls
Enjoy being on the beach with my family
Masters in Financial Management and Information Systems
Research interests include business analytics and Competency data collection methods
Rodney Urand, MS.
Instructional Technologist
Instructional Technology and Learning Management System support.
Masters in Learning Design and Technology
Research interests include: online student engagement, blended learning, microlearning, QM, multimedia production
Father to five girls, certified Public Speaker, Reverend and Wedding DJ, originally from Australia. Enjoys NASCAR, baseball, football, music, technology, traveling and happy hours
Cathy Hanssens-Passeri, MA.
Instructional Designer
Online/Hybrid course design and redesign, training and faculty development, and orientations
Helping you develop the best courses for your students
Masters in Instructional Systems Development
Interests in different design elements, love of the outdoors, sports, and gardening. She loves to travel, especially back to her home land of Australia.
