SUSAN M. PLINER, Associate Dean for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Susan is responsible for leadership in creating an empowering vision and direction for the CTL. She supports the work of the CTL staff in providing enriching opportunities for teaching and learning at HWS. In addition, she offers opportunities for faculty to engage with one another and the craft of teaching.
Susan has a B.A. in Secondary Social Studies Education, a M.Ed. in Special Education, a CAGS in Social Justice Education, and an Ed.D. in Human Development. Her areas of specialty include universal instructional design for teaching and learning; multicultural and social justice education; college student learning and development; social identity development theory and practice in higher education; history of disability and disability studies; and special education. Susan has been working in higher education since 1990.
RUTH SHIELDS, Assistant Director
Ruth coordinates the Teaching Fellows program, where she works closely with faculty, Teaching Fellows, and students. She is also responsible for CTL's Writing Colleagues and the Oral Communications program, and assists in the daily operations of the CTL.
Ruth has a B.A. in History and Mathematics from Ball State University, a MAT in Secondary Education from Miami University, and a MS in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse University.
SUSAN K. HESS, Writing Specialist
Susan provides teaching/learning consultation to the Colleges' faculty (syllabus and assignment design, writing instruction), helps develop and deliver the Center's faculty outreach programs, and offers in-class workshops to compliment faculty instruction. She also develops First-Year Seminar CTL support and participates in the Learning Commons FSEM Team, as well as assisting in the oversight of the CTL Writing Colleagues and coordinating with the Writing and Rhetoric department to enhance writing education and exchange throughout the Colleges.
Susan's services for students include support for the Honors Program and MAT programs, writing consultation for scholarship and graduate school applications in conjunction with Career Services, and abstract writing and oral presentation feedback for the Senior Symposium, among others.
A 1985 graduate of William Smith College, Susan was a faculty member in the Writing and Rhetoric Department for 10 years before shifting full-time to the Center for Teaching and Learning. Her Fall 09 teaching load includes a FSEM, "The Reality Effect," and a Reader?s College "Generating a Thesis" for Honors and MAT candidates. Susan is also a member of the Teagle Discussion Group for Goal 1.
"Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood." William Penn
"The only way I can get anything written at all is to write really, really, shitty first drafts." Anne Lamott
DAVID SILVER, Coordinator of Disability Services
David is responsible for coordinating the services available to our students with disabilities. This process begins with outreach to prospective students as well as with each first year class. As students choose to self-identify, David helps them with gathering and submitting documentation of disability. When documentation has been submitted, David facilitates the determination of eligibility process and subsequent negotiation of appropriate accommodations for those who qualify. David holds a B.A. in English, a M.Ed. in Special Education.
David holds a B.A. in English, a M.Ed. in Special Education.
EVELYN SPERRY, Faculty Secretary
Evelyn greets incoming students, assists with paperwork for tutoring and note taking, handles student payroll and supports the rest of the staff. Evelyn has been at the Colleges for over twenty years. She started out in the Education Department as a Faculty Secretary, then joined the Science Department. From 1989-2005, Evelyn was in the Office of the Registrar greeting students, preparing their ID's and sending out transcripts. She joined the CTL staff in January of 2006.
SAM VANN, Coordinator of Student Services
Sam schedules and proctors exams for students with disabilities, and assists in providing other educational accommodations. In addition to his regular duties, he communicates daily with faculty and staff on other issues in the day-to-day operation of the Center. In addition, Sam is responsible for recruiting and training peer tutors and study mentors. He oversees the use and programming of the online TutorTrac program used for Teaching Fellow Sessions, Writing Colleagues, Study Tables, and Study Mentors. During the summer he teaches "Study Strategies for College Success" for the Summer Institute sponsored by (HEOP).
Center for Teaching and Learning
Rosensweig Learning Commons
Library - Second Floor
Phone: (315) 781-3351
Fax: (315) 781-3862
TTY:
(315) 781-4412
E-mail: ctl@hws.edu
Learn more about CTL's team of student staff.
