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Who We Are
Susan Thomason has been involved in the design, development and delivery of instruction since 1990 when she began her career as a television production specialist at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Since then she has worked as manager of Distance Learning at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and as Director of Instructional Technology Services at Spartanburg Technical College in South Carolina. She has worked with a variety of disciplines in the delivery of distance learning certificate and degree programs and with a broad range of technologies including videoconferencing networks, satellite teleconferencing, online courses, instructional video, multi-media design, adaptive technologies, and others. Susan has a B.A. in International Studies, an M.S. in Instructional Technology and has completed doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction at Clemson University and the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently ABD scheduled to complete her dissertation in the Fall of 2005. Originally from Ecuador, she has extensive international experience, has lived and traveled throughout South American and Asia, and speaks fluent Spanish.
Jennifer Majors is the Administrative Assistant to the department of Instructional Development Services. She began her employment in the Human Resources Department and has worked for Austin Community College since 2001. She received an Associate of Arts in Communications from ACC in 2003 and is currently pursuing coursework for her Bachelor’s degree. I enjoy working for ACC because having been a student here myself, I know exactly what ACC can do for non-traditional students and the educational opportunities that are available. Now, working in the IDS department, I get to see first-hand how instruction and learning can be adapted into a variety of formats, far away from the standard lecture. Working for ACC allows me to pursue my personal and education goals as well as see the continued impact of education on other people’s lives.
"As the Instructional Design Specialist at ACC's South Austin Campus, I am interested in a wide range of educational technologies to aid faculty with specialized project ideas and improving instruction. In addition to graphic & technical illustration, photography and video production, I have experience in scriptwriting, desktop publishing, digital photo and image manipulation, computer-based presentations, computer-based training and HTML publishing." "I'm an Austin native. After getting my B.A. at Yale University in Art and a short residence in Boston, MA. during the '70's, I was Media Specialist at the University of Texas at Austin Art Department during the 1980's. Later, I became a Research Associate II and was responsible for the computer operations of the UT Art Dept. Visual Resource Collection, a slide collection of over 450,000 art and architecture slides." "After getting my Master's degree in Instructional Technology at U.T., I came to ACC and was Instructional Technology Manager at Riverside Campus and Pinnacle Campus for three years before becoming an ID Specialist."
John started his career in 1975 in the production department at KLRN-TV (now KLRU-TV) working on programs such as “Carrascolendas”. He helped with set construction and camera crane operation for the first season of “Austin City Limits”. He went on to work at Channel 7, KTBC-TV in 1976. He held various jobs such as projectionist (loading commercial spots or movies on 16mm film projectors), audio operator, video switcher and moved onto working the production floor as camera operator, lighting, set construction, floor manager and eventually director on the evening newscasts and special events such as telethons.
Rich studied Film at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science specializing in animation and visual effects. He enjoys directing and editing both live action and animation, as well as graphic design and traditional art. He has been studying 3D animation heavily since 2004, with a major focus on character animation and photorealism. His work history ranges from producing educational content at the UT Nursing School's Multimedia Studio, to working directly under the Vice President of Digital Content Development for PBS in their New Media department. His most recent job was as an animator/graphic designer for UTOPIA, where we worked on a broad range of web-based learning modules. "I hope to utilize my film background to enhance the productions at ACC by using the same software and techniques used by Hollywood feature films. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and learning from the experienced professionals here at ACC."
Tina is a native Texan and long-time Austin resident. She graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. Tina completed a M.A. in English Education at Stanford University in 1981 and a M.ED. in Instructional Technology at UT Austin in 1992. "I have taught college-level English courses for the past twenty years. I have taught both traditional classroom-based courses and distance learning courses at St. Edward’s University and Austin Community College. Currently, I am an Instructional Design Specialist at the Riverside Campus, where I assist faculty in designing, developing and delivering instruction in actual and virtual classrooms."
“I am an Instructional Design Specialist at the Cypress campus of Austin Community College. For the past six years I have been an adjunct instructor in the Computer Studies / Advanced Technology department at ACC. Classes I have taught include Introduction to Computing, Personal Computing, Business Computer Information Systems, and Internet/Web Page Design. For one year I was a tutor in the Learning Lab at the Eastview campus. I received my masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Instructional Technology, from the University of Texas at Austin. I also hold an MBA from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. My next goal is to begin work toward a doctorate in instructional design, specializing in online learning. My interests include designing websites and doing research on online learning.”
A native Texan, Rene was born in the lower Rio Grande Valley and attended junior high and high school in Round Rock and Austin. At Yale University he earned a B.A. in art with a focus in graphic design, but returned to the sunshine of Austin immediately after graduation. Since then, Rene has enjoyed working as a visual designer for a diverse clientele in the public and private sectors. In 2003 Rene was hired on as the lead visual designer for the UTOPIA project, an online portal to the unique treasures and resources at the University of Texas at Austin. Joining the IDS team in 2008, Rene was happy to continue making an impact in higher education in Texas. Outside of graphic design, Rene's interests include digital photography, mountain biking, and Chinese martial arts. If he were allowed to do so, he would spend all of his time at Austin's Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, indulging in two of his favorite things: Movies and food.
Jennifer joined ACC in 2001 as a Media Graphics Specialist. After obtaining her M.Ed. in Educational Technology from UT Brownsville, she joined ACC’s Professional Development team. As a Professional Development Specialist she trained faculty and staff on various software applications while honing her Instructional Design skills. Jennifer joined the Instructional Development Services team in 2007. Outside of ACC Jennifer enjoys watching her son Connor grow.
Melissa Griffith is a Video Productions Specialist with the IDS Department of Austin Community College. Prior to arriving at ACC in 2001, Melissa was employed as a News and Sports Television Photojournalist, both locally and at network level. Today, Melissa works with the ACC IDS video team, developing media for instructional support. Her responsibilities include design, development, shooting and editing video, webstreaming, and graphic production. Away from ACC, Melissa enjoys spending time gardening and a playing a competitive game of soccer. Her favorite food is Catfish Tacos.
Nancy has over twenty-five years of experience in video and media, and has been a TV producer with ACC for ten years. She has produced over 40 teaching programs for national broadcast on Australian television. Her clients have included the New South Wales Board of Education, NSW Health Department, Human Rights Commission of NSW, and the PBS Adult Learning Service. Nancy has been a media educator as well as a published still photographer and writer. She has earned a B.A. in Communication Studies from Murdoch University in Australia and a Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Technology from Riverina College of Advanced Education, Australia.
Prior to coming to ACC, Martha worked at St. Edwards’s University helping faculty integrate technology into teaching and learning. Before that she worked for St. Edward’s migrant education programs. Martha received her doctorate in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Instructional Technology, from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a B.A. and Licenciatura from Universidad de las Americas in Mexico. Her M.A. is in Anthropology. A certified teacher for Composite Social Studies, Spanish, Special Education, Bilingual Education and Computer Literacy in Texas, she has been an educator in a number of Austin area schools ranging from the Texas State School for the Blind and the Visually Impaired to Texas State University. She has served on the Board of Directors of Literacy Austin as Vice Chair and Board member.
Teresa has been with Austin Community College since 1998. She is a WorkKeys® profiler, a DACUM and ACAP facilitator, and a trainer in WIDS software for curriculum development. She conducts faculty development in competency-based instruction as well as other curriculum development areas, and works with various departments of the college to identify needs for instructional design and faculty development. Teresa holds a Bachelor of Science in Education—Mathematics from the University of Texas, a Masters of Education from Schreiner University, and Texas State Teaching Certification in General Education and Mathematics. She began her career in Secondary and Adult, Continuing Education classrooms in 1986, and served as curriculum development specialist with Instructional Development Services for 6 years. She has conducted professional development workshops in learner centered instruction, work related education, and curriculum development throughout the state of Texas.
"I am an Instructional Design Specialist at the Eastview Campus. As adjunct faculty, I have taught both Computer Science and Pscyhology courses at Austin Community College. Prior to the adjunct faculty position, I've been both a counselor and advisor at Austin Community College. I completed both my Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, I completed all the coursework for the counseling program in Educational Pscyhology at the University of Texas at Austin, equivalent to a second masters degree. I have been advanced to candidancy in the Ph.D. University of Texas, Curiculum and Development Department, program."
Shea is a native Austinite and attended ACC where he studied both graphic design and interactive multimedia, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Visual Communications in 2005. He has created websites for clients ranging from musicians and small business owners to community banks. Always keeping end user's needs in mind, Shea strongly believes in approaching each project with accessibility and usability as top priorities.
Claudia "Scratch" Sperber has been working in television and video production for over 15 years. Her experience includes producing/directing educational programs, independent short subjects, corporate training pieces and multi-media video/live performances. Her independent and collaborative works as a producer, director and editor have been shown at film festivals and museums around the U.S. and in Mexico. She worked with Austin's only women's film festival for three years, serving as Director and Regional Showcase Coordinator, and has developed curriculum for and taught various video production and post-production workshops for adults and for disadvantaged youth. She has been a video/multimedia producer at Austin Community College since the year 2000.
Amanda attended the Art Institute of Boston, earning a BFA in Graphic Design. Upon graduation she freelanced for ad agencies, design firms and educational media publishers gaining vast experience in web and print design. Being self employed for several years exposed her to not only to a wide variety of design projects, but also to project and client management. Amanda excels working alone or in a team environment and has the proven ability to provide artistic and technical direction. Her positive attitude and passion for design provides motivation and inspiration in those she comes in contact with. She is excited about being part of the Instructional Development team at ACC. When not working, you're liable to find Amanda at Zilker park with her husband and two little boys or dancing at the Continental Club. |
