Meet the Team
The team members leading the ongoing effort to support and document Ideas to Action.
Along with the i2a Facilitators representing units across campus, and an existing i2a Task Group made up of faculty, staff and students, there is an i2a Team based at the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. They are:
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Patricia (Patty) Payette, Ph.D. is the executive director of the “Ideas to Action” initiative\and associate director of the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. Prior to this position, Dr. Payette was assistant director of faculty development programs in the Office of Faculty and Organizational Development at Michigan State University. She comes to the university with expertise in faculty development, curriculum and program design as well as previous work experience at the University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching. Email Dr. Payette with questions or comments, or to discuss your involvement or interest in the i2a initiative. | |
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Cathy L. Bays, Ph.D. is the i2a specialist for assessment and brings a wealth of experience in assessment, teaching, and curricular enhancement to this role. She has served as a faculty member in the School of Nursing for 15 years. She is currently an associate professor and served for five years as director of the Undergraduate Program. She is coordinating unit and University i2a assessments. Email Dr. Bays if you wish to discuss your assessment plans or seek assistance with your assessment or outcome activities.
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Nisha Gupta, Ph.D. is the i2a specialist for culminating experiences. Prior to this position, she was the associate director for professional development programs of the Graduate School at Syracuse University. She comes to Ideas to Action with a background in community development, curricular design, and teaching women’s studies. Email Dr. Gupta with your questions, comments, and interests in implementing culminating experiences. |
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Edna Ross, Ph.D. is the i2a specialist for critical thinking. Dr. Ross brings extensive classroom teaching and course management skills to the position, as well as expertise in designing and presenting faculty development workshops on topics ranging from instructional technology to diversity. Dr. Ross has been a faculty member in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences for 24 years and serves as the director of the department's Introduction to Psychology course. Email Dr. Ross if you or your unit would like support in developing or implementing critical thinking materials or training resources. |
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Cindy C. Vestal is the i2a program coordinator. She has worked in higher education in Kentucky for several years as educational coordinator and executive administrative assistant in university and college systems. She has also specialized in assessment and online teaching & training. Cindy’s i2a work focuses on administrative support and collaboration, while coordinating program events and projects. Email Cindy for more information on the Ideas to Action initiative. |
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Thomas W. Evans is a graduate research assistant in the Delphi Center and works with i2a projects and programs. He is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in college student personnel. He brings to i2a wide-ranging knowledge of student development and community engagement activities. He also brings skills in facilitation, programming, and planning that he developed as a student leader and Bonner Scholar at Berea College, where he earned a B.A. in Mathematics. Email Thomas with questions about i2a. |
