Since arriving at UNL in 2010, I have participated in a number of course development projects and programs, and I am always on the lookout for new ways to engage students. In addition to my own course development, I served as a mentor in UNL’s Peer Review of Teaching Project and currently am the Faculty Coordinator of the William H. Thompson Scholars Program, and provide faculty support in that capacity.
I have received multiple course development grants during my time at UNL. These include:
- An Open Educational Resource (Kelly) Grant (2019) to transition my introductory international relations course to all open-access materials. The course now has zero associated textbook or materials fees, making it accessible for all of our students.
- A course development grant from the Great Plains National Security Education Consortium (2012) to develop a new course, Transnational Criminal Networks: Narcotraffickers, War Criminals and Terrorists (colloquially called “Drugs and Thugs”). This course is offered in the political science department and also counts toward UNL’s National Security Studies Minor.
- A grant from the UNL Office of Undergraduate Studies (2011) to revamp my large, 100-level course, Introduction to International Relations, to include a large-scale, virtual simulation.
- Participation in UNL’s Peer Review of Teaching program (2011-2012). From 2015-2018, I served as a faculty mentor in the program.