Educational Development Presentations

 

I’m an experienced educator with a passion for innovation and active learning. As Director of UT Tyler’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, I’ve led workshops on a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), student engagement and belonging, and creative approaches to teaching. Below are some examples of workshops I’ve presented.

In this workshop, I explore a variety of AI tools that can help college professors prepare for their courses more efficiently and creatively. I demonstrate how these tools can be used to design engaging course content, improve accessibility, and offer personalized feedback to students. I also show how AI can support instructors in analyzing student performance and identifying areas where students may need additional support. The session includes hands-on activities and live demonstrations of tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, MagicSchool, SlidesAI, and more. Participants leave with practical strategies for integrating AI into their teaching workflows.

In this workshop, I explore how to design accessible and visually appealing syllabi for college courses. I share tools and techniques to make syllabi more engaging and interactive, while still maintaining clarity and function. The session includes hands-on activities and live demonstrations using platforms like Canva, Adobe Spark, Google Docs, and Microsoft Sway. Participants leave with practical strategies to create syllabi that are both fun and functional.

In this presentation, I share my experience using a negotiated syllabus in my online graduate Research Methods course, which includes students from both Criminal Justice and Public Administration programs. A negotiated syllabus is a collaborative approach to course design, where students and instructors work together to shape the syllabus based on shared goals, needs, and interests (Bloor & Bloor, 1988; Clarke, 1991). I walk through the process of constructing this kind of syllabus in a virtual setting and highlight the benefits for both course design and student engagement. I also discuss student feedback, learning outcomes, and the impact on overall course interaction.

Sexual Offense Policy Presentations

 

My primary research focuses on sexual offending policy, particularly the collateral consequences that registration and notification laws have on the lives of registered citizens and their families. I’ve conducted interviews, surveys, and fieldwork to better understand the economic and marital strain, social support systems, and reintegration challenges faced by those impacted. My work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including Criminal Justice Policy Review, Criminal Justice Studies, American Journal of Criminal Justice, and Criminal Justice Review. Below are some examples of presentations I’ve given on this topic.

In this session, I empower advocates—especially registered citizens and their loved ones—with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to push for meaningful legislative reform. I share findings from my research on state-level advocacy efforts focused on sexual offense law reform and highlight strategies that have led to successful policy change. I also address common challenges advocates face, including how to counter stigma and misinformation. Whether attendees are new to advocacy or seasoned organizers, this session offers practical insights to help make their efforts more effective and impactful.

In this workshop, I help advocates build confidence in reading, interpreting, and applying scientific research to strengthen their policy arguments. I demystify the research process by explaining different types of academic publications, where to access research (even beyond paywalls), and how to identify credible sources. I guide participants through techniques for extracting key takeaways from complex studies and applying that evidence to their advocacy efforts. Through hands-on activities and group discussion, participants leave with the tools they need to confidently use research as a foundation for impactful change.

In this session, I present findings from my survey research on the financial impact of sexual offender registration and notification (SORN) policies. I contextualize how these laws affect the long-term economic stability of individuals required to register, including wages lost, changes in job-seeking behavior, and barriers to sustainable employment. I share registrants’ firsthand accounts and explore the structural challenges that contribute to financial instability. This session is designed to help advocates, researchers, and policymakers better understand how SORN policies extend beyond public safety and deeply affect economic outcomes.