About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Teaching and Learning Center is to partner with WCU's community of educators to advance teaching excellence and innovation in support of quality student learning experiences and equitable learning outcomes. 

We aim to foster a community of educators who integrate research-informed teaching practices to create inclusive and enriching learning environments across all modalities. We envision a campus culture that supports, recognizes, and celebrates the pursuit of teaching excellence and innovation to promote student success. 

Our Strategies

The TLC accomplishes its mission by: 

  • Providing opportunities for educators to explore and learn research-based teaching methods and aligned teaching technologies that promote student success.  
  • Supporting the implementation of evidence-based pedagogical practices for engaging students, meeting diverse learning needs, and teaching effectively across modalities.   
  • Providing space, support, and guidance for peer learning, mentoring, recognizing and celebrating excellence in teaching.   
  • Serving as a resource hub by curating research and creating content to facilitate access to evidence-based teaching practices.  
  • Encouraging the exploration and research of innovative teaching practices. 
  • Collaborating with units across the university to identify needs and coordinate efforts to improve teaching and meet institutional goals and priorities.  

Information & Guidelines 

What is an Instructional Designer?

Every faculty member at West Chester University has an instructional designer assigned to them from the Teaching & Learning Center. Instructional designers assist faculty with the development, implementation, and evaluation of their courses.

Working collaboratively with the faculty member, instructional designers can assist with:
  • Designing courses for any modality (face-to-face, hybrid, hyflex, or online)
  • Creating and revising learning activities or assessments
  • Establishing inclusive learning environments
  • Organizing, building, and configuring D2L course sites
  • Selecting and incorporating instructional technology
  • Assisting and supporting multimedia development
  • Adhering to accessibility standards
  • Troubleshooting instructional and technology challenges

When should I contact my Instructional Designer?

TLC’s staff, as nonrepresented managers, are available during regular business hours (8:00am to 4:30pm). Although we do not operate on evenings or weekends, you are always welcome to send any questions or requests to our staff or our support line outside of these hours.

Additionally, our instructional designers are busiest in the two-three week period leading into the start of the fall and spring semesters. To make sure you're able to receive as much support as possible during this time, we recommend contacting your instructional designer a month in advance of the start of the semester.

Civility in the Faculty & Instructional Designer Relationship

Our office embraces WCU’s Civility statement, which states: at WCU, “we value the special talents and contributions of each member of our community”, and we have a “shared responsibility to treat each other as individuals, with respect and courtesy.” Just as faculty are experts in their fields of study, instructional designers are experts in their field, and it is through the combined efforts of faculty and designer that quality learning experiences are built.

 

Stay Connected

ODLI on Air Podcast

 

Newsletter Archive

 

TLC Blog

 

Get Involved

Committees

 

Our Programs

 

Our Staff

H. Naomie Nyanungo

H. Naomie Nyanungo, Ph.D. (she/her)
Associate Provost for Learning & Teaching Innovation
610-436-2936
HNyanungo@wcupa.edu

Pat Brander

Pat Brander (she/her)
Administrative Assistant
610-436-2948
PBrander@wcupa.edu

Janneken Smucker

Janneken Smucker, Ph.D. (she/her)
Faculty Associate for Teaching & Learning
610-436-2345
JSmucker@wcupa.edu

Marc Drumm

Marc Drumm, M.Ed. (he/him)
Senior Instructional Designer
610-436-2278
MDrumm@wcupa.edu

Tom Pantazes

Tom Pantazes, Ed.D. (he/him)
Instructional Designer
610-430-5844
TPantazes@wcupa.edu

Amber Alvord

Amber Alvord, M.Ed. (she/her)
Instructional Designer
610-436-3374
AAlvord@wcupa.edu

Jessica Drass

Jessica Drass, M.S. (she/her)
Learning Technologist
610-436-3375
JDrass@wcupa.edu

Connor Goyne

Connor Goyne, B.A. (he/they)
Associate Instructional Designer
610-436-3561
HGoyne@wcupa.edu

Brian Carothers

Brian Carothers, M.A. (he/him)
Associate Instructional Designer
610-436-3373
BCarothers@wcupa.edu

Hannah Glatt

Hannah Glatt, M.Ed., M.Ar.H. (she/her)
Remote Learning Experience and eTextbook Designer
HGlatt@wcupa.edu

Supraja Meka

Supraja Rama Meka, B.Tech. (she/her)
Instructional Design Assistant

Taylor Williams

Taylor Williams, B.S. (she/her)
Instructional Design Assistant