Jennifer Wood, Ph.D.

Experience and Portfolio

My Background

My extensive background in higher education makes me a highly credible candidate for this position. I have worked either as an administrator, a fundraiser or a faculty member for my entire career. I have been teaching online as an adjunct faculty member for UMGC since 2008.  In this capacity, I use the Desire2Learn platform on a daily basis and I have used BlackBoard and Canvas, as well. I have been involved in curriculum development and have served as a mentor for new online professors to help them become comfortable with the learning platform.

 I enjoy technology and have been exploring web design for a few years now.  I am ready for the challenge of instructional design; it complements the work I already do as an online faculty member.   I recently enrolled in UMGC Micromaster’s in Instructional Design, which I anticipate completing in Fall 2022.  In the meantime, I continue to development my skills in my own time by experimenting with different platforms, doing research on the latest technologies and enhancing my knowledge of adult learning theory.

My Philosophy

In my own classroom, my student evaluations are consistently very high.  This reflects my understanding of how to develop a course that is easy to navigate, flows smoothly and emphasizes students’ unique learning styles and challenges.  I include a variety of learning activities that allow students to access the material and show mastery in different ways.  

student feedback in a virtual classroom

Sample Infograph

Built into the pace of the course is an understanding that adult learners have many competing priorities outside of school that may keep them from meeting stringent classroom deadlines or from working on class assignments the same number of hours each week.  With that in mind, assignments need to be challenging and engaging and they should draw from and apply to the learners experience as much as possible. In other words, practical, relevant and immediately useful information and learning outcomes are critical for this population.

 In the 13 years that I have taught online I have noticed changes in how adult learners engage the online classroom.  They seem less willing to work independently and more timid about their own skills and knowledge.  Therefore, my evolving role as faculty member is to find new ways to support them and encourage growth and competencies as learners.  Effective instructional design is a critical piece to this changing relationship between faculty and students. Impactful design in no way replaces the human element that is so critical to education but it can significantly augment it by captivating the student, generating interest and excitement and, most importantly, helping the learner feel confident and competent with the content.

Access my resume here

My skills

• Practical application of virtual learning platforms

• Course development

• Graduate level teaching and adult learning

• Fundraising & donor engagement

• Donor cultivation and stewardship

• Major gift solicitations

• Community outreach

Fundraising/Business development

I have a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Virginia and held the position of assistant dean for faculty development at Pace University. I have also been a major gifts officer for several universities on the east coast. In these positions, I was responsible for managing boards, cultivating donors and clearly articulating the need for major gifts.

These positions required interaction with high level people and companies who wanted to know quickly and clearly how and why it was worth their time and money to work with us. One of my strengths is simplifying complex ideas and drawing connections between a defined need and a realistic outcome.

Professional Experience and Community Outreach

I have conducted many professional development workshops for the local system, presented at a national conference and was the keynote speaker at a day of learning for a major East Coast university.  Presentation topics include mindfulness, personal health and wellness, and strategies to enhance well-being in the workspace. 

Keeping presentations focused and interactive is key to effective learning. Breakout activities also encourage greater depth of learning and allow peers to interact and share details that are specific to their own experience.

Coaching

In addition to teaching fully online for the last 12 years, I am also a trained coach (certified through the National Board for Health and Wellness Professionals). Coaching an individual who feels uncertain about their skills and abilities requires a great deal of support, understanding and encouragement.  Asking powerful questions can be a great way to help a person uncover what might be holding them back or, more importantly, what they need to move forward and proficient with a new learning platform. This skill is valuable when working with students who lack confidence and will be critical to collaborating with faculty on curriculum and classroom design as well.