Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the two newest members of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. Eric Belt and Becky Menendez are instructional designers who will work to help faculty with online and face-to-face course design and development.
Eric Belt, MA, joined the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) on Sept. 30 as an instructional designer and hit the ground running by leading the FCTL website development. Eric holds an master's degree in distance education and e-learning from University of Maryland University College and a bachelor's in business administration from Towson University. Prior to joining UMB, Eric was the director of learning technology at the College of Southern Maryland and, formerly, the assistant director of e-learning at Howard Community College. Eric has served as an instructional designer both virtually and on-campus for various community colleges across the U.S. He brings a passion for advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning through course design, instructional communication, and faculty professional development. Currently, Eric is a doctoral student in educational technology at Boise State University. His research interests are in communication, interaction, and engagement in online courses.
Becky Menendez, MA, MEd, is an instructional designer and educational technologist who joined FCTL on Jan. 6 as an academic innovation specialist. Becky holds a bachelor's degree in art, with concentrations in graphic design and digital production. She also holds master's degrees in elementary education, teaching English as a second language, and educational technology. Becky brings a deep understanding of educational practice and design in higher and postsecondary education, particularly with English language learners, and has supported online course design for the International Baccalaureate, the Community College of Baltimore County, and Penn State University. Becky is a trained Quality Matters peer reviewer, providing feedback and guidance to institutions on improving the quality of their online courses.
If you have questions for Eric and Becky on how they can help you on your next project, please email them at facultycenter@umaryland.edu.