Poorvu Center Staff

The Poorvu Center is comprised of over 50 professional staff members, distributed across 12 teams. Learn more about our staff colleagues below. You can also read about our Fellows and Mentors. We have about 45 graduate student fellows and more than one hundred undergraduate writing partners and course-based peer tutors. 

Learn more about us

  • I help Yale undergraduates negotiate their early STEM courses, research, and other opportunities.

    Ismihan Abdelkadir

    Woodbridge Fellow, Office of Educational Opportunity
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    Headshot of Ismihan Abdelkadir, Woodbridge Fellow in the Poorvu Center's Office of Educational Opportunities (OEO)
  • I work with instructors at all levels to critically reflect on their teaching.

    Joshua Abreu

    Associate Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
    Email
    Headshot of Joshua Abreu, Associate Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
  • I support Yale's secure use of technology used in teaching, learning and community engagement.

    Pilar Abuin

    Senior Director, Educational & Engagement Technology
    Email
    203-432-5376
    Pilar Abuin standing in a multi-colored blouse.
  • I support our Office of Educational Opportunity, writing, and tutoring teams.

    Mamta Agarwal

    Program Coordinator
    Email
    Headshot of Mamta Agarwal, Administrative Assistant
  • I support Canvas and the external apps that integrate into Canvas.

    Clare Ankawi

    Associate Director, Educational & Engagement Technology
    Email
    Clare Ankawi in a floral blouse on a grey background.
  • I help the Yale community use the Poorvu Center and Poorvu North effectively.

    Ronice Awudu

    Business Operations and Administration Supervisor
    Email
    (203) 436-9958
    Headshot of Ronice Awudu, Business Operations and Administration Supervisor
  • I support Canvas and its external tools.

    Devon Barker

    Assistant Director, Educational & Engagement Technology
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    Headshot of Devon Barker, Assistant Director, Educational Technology
  • I help campus partners leverage assessments to explore the impact of teaching and learning programs on campus.

    Meghan Bathgate

    Director, Educational Program Assessment
    Email
    Headshot of Meghan Bathgate, Director, Educational Program Assessment
  • I support students with disabilities through academic skills coaching and peer mentoring.

    Geoffrey Canales

    Assistant Director of Disability & Neurodiversity, Office of Educational Opportunity
    Email
    Headshot of Geoffrey Canales, Assistant Director of Disability & Neurodiversity for the Office of Educational Opportunity
  • I collaborate with faculty, staff and students to discuss program goals and assessment strategies.

    Jennifer Claydon

    Senior Associate Director, Educational Program Assessment
    Email
    Headshot of Jennifer Claydon, Senior Associate Director of Assessment
  • I work with every team at the Poorvu Center to highlight how their efforts contribute to a better world through teaching and learning.

    Liz DeRosa

    Director of Communications
    Email
    (413) 695-4985
    Headshot of Liz DeRosa, Communications Director
  • I support Poorvu Center leadership and other teams as we work together to achieve our mission.

    Marika Di Carlo

    Senior Administrative Assistant
    Email
    Headshot of Marika Di Carlo, Sr. Administrative Assistant at the Poorvu Center
  • I share Yale's teaching with the world.

    Sara Epperson

    Senior Director, Digital Education
    Email
    (860) 302-6018
    Headshot of Sara Epperson, Senior Director, Digital Education
  • I empower students to develop their dreams and share their stories.

    Joshua Faires

    Assistant Director, First-Generation/Low-Income (FGLI) Student Success
    Email
    (203) 215-5974
    Headshot of Josh Faires, Assistant Director, First-Generation/Low-Income (FGLI) Student Success
  • I manage staff computer hardware and software support as well as the technology the Poorvu Center uses in their office space.

    Joe Florentino

    Associate Director, Technical Operations
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    The sign behind the front desk reads Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning
  • I produce videos that share Yale's exceptional teaching and research with the world.

    Doug Forbush

    Production Director, Teaching Studios
    Email
    Headshot of Doug Forbush, Production Director
  • I provide leadership for Yale on teaching and learning matters, and shape the strategic priorities of the Poorvu Center in alignment with our vision and mission.

    Jenny Frederick

    Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives; Executive Director of Poorvu Center
    Email
    (203) 521-7903
    Headshot of Jenny Frederick, Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives, Executive Director of Poorvu Center
  • I create create engaging learning experiences by enhancing online courses with animations and graphics.

    Emily Gentile

    Motion Graphic Designer
    Email
    The sign behind the front desk reads Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning
  • I support faculty with course design, policies and practices for ethical AI use, and deploying and assessing AI tools.

    Ben Glaser

    Director of AI Initiatives in the Humanities
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    Ben Glaser, the Director of AI Initiatives in the Humanities at the Poorvu Center and Yale Library, poses in front of windows.
  • I support scientific writing, workshops and peer-review groups for STEM writers, and giving and receiving feedback.

    Lauren Gonzalez

    Assistant Director of Scientific Communication
    Email
    Headshot of Lauren Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Scientific Communication in the Graduate Writing Lab
  • I increase student access to opportunities provided by higher education.

    Karin Gosselink

    Director, Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO)
    Email
    203-241-4107
    Headshot of Karin Gosselink, Director of OEO
  • I support educational programs in assessing how they can best meet their teaching and learning goals.

    Ankita Gumaste

    Assistant Director, Educational Program Assessment
    Email
    Headshot of Ankita Gumaste, Assistant Director, Educational Program Assessment
  • I oversee all the tutoring in writing and STEM, and I work with writing teachers in all Yale departments.

    Alfred E. Guy Jr.

    Center Deputy Director; Director of Undergraduate Writing and Tutoring
    Email
    203-432-7492
    Headshot of Alfie Guy, Deputy Director; Director of Undergraduate Writing and Tutoring
  • I collaborate with faculty to identify instructional tools that engage sutdents and enhance teaching and learning.

    John Harford

    Senior Director, Educational Technology & Media
    Email
    John Harford in a striped blue collard shirt on a grey background
  • I support teaching across the humanities for faculty members, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students.

    Gina Marie Hurley

    Associate Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
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    Headshot of Gina Hurely, Assistant Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
  • I support effective teaching at Yale, focusing on STEM and graduate students/postdocs.

    Jennifer Imamura

    Assistant Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
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    This is a headshot of Jennifer Imamura, Assistant Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
  • I support dissertation writing, publishing, public communication, and All Writes and writing retreats.

    Julia Istomina

    Associate Director
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    photo of associate director
  • I support the Graduate Writing Lab and Educational Technology teams.

    Claire Kerrigan

    Program Coordinator
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    Claire Kerrigan Program Coordinator
  • I support the Teaching Development and Initiatives team, and other staff & guests of the Center.

    Kimberly Kuzina

    Administrative Assistant
    Email
    Headshot of Kim Kuzina, administrative assistant at the Poorvu Center
  • I create podcasts to share Yale's exceptional teaching and research.

    Ryan McEvoy

    Video and Podcast Producer & Editor, Teaching Studios
    Email
    Ryan_McEvoy
  • I work with Yale graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to promote discussions, community, and reflection to support effective teaching practices.

    Julie McGurk

    Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
    Email
    203-432-8644
    Headshot of Julie McGurk, Director of the Poorvu Center's Teaching Development and Initiatives (TDI) team
  • I support the producers and editors of the Yale Teaching Studios with all logistics and welcome guests to our space.

    Anna Montgomery

    Production Assistant, Teaching Studios
    Email
    (203) 444-7207
    Headshot of Anna Montgomery, Production Assistant
  • I produce and edit videos that share Yale with the world.

    Jack Neisewanger

    Video Producer & Editor, Teaching Studios
    Email
    Jack_Neisewanger
  • I support moving pedagogical philosophy to the digital world through Canvas and it's 35+ external applications.

    Micah Nellums

    Assistant Director, Educational & Engagement Technology
    Email
    (475) 301-2890
    Micah Nellums in a black collard shirt standing against a floral background.
  • I ensure the Poorvu Center realizes our mission and complies with the University administrative and financial guidelines and policies.

    Meg O'Brien

    Director, Finance and Administration
    Email
    (860) 301-4177
    Headshot of Meg O'Brien, Director of Finance and Administration at the Poorvu Center
  • I manage the Global Learner Access Support System for non-degree programs.

    Kristi Oki

    Assistant Director, Learner Services
    Email
    Headshot of Kristi Oki, Assistant Director, Learner Services
  • I produce online courses, records classes and events, edits a variety of projects,

    Guy Ortoleva

    Video Producer & Editor, Teaching Studios
    Email
    Headshot of Guy Ortoleva, Video producer and editor
  • I help students thrive by empowering them to take ownership of their education.

    Lynda Paul

    Associate Director, Undergraduate Writing and Tutoring
    Email
    Headshot of Lynda Paul, Associate Director for Undergraduate Writing and Tutoring and the Academic Strategies Program
  • I support access to educational technology tools, the technology of the Poorvu Center and educational content creation for students and faculty.

    Brian Pauzé

    Associate Director, Educational Technology & Media
    Email
    Headshot of Brian Pauze, Associate Director, Educational Technology and Media
  • I work with instructors at all levels to critically reflect on their teaching

    Malia Piper

    Assistant Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
    Email
    Headshot of Malia Piper, Assistant Director, Teaching Development and Initiatives
  • I share Yale's teaching with the world.

    Belinda Platt

    Senior Associate Director, Digital Education
    Email
    (203) 535-6448
    Headshot of Belinda Platt, Associate Director, Digital Education
  • I support students, faculty, departments, and colleagues at the Poorvu, with STEM tutoring.

    Kailasnath Purushothaman

    Associate Director, STEM Tutoring
    Email
    203-432-2900
    Headshot of Kailas Purushothaman, STEM Tutoring
  • I help Yale's undergraduate writers become more effective communicators.

    Paula Rawlins

    Associate Director, Undergraduate Writing and Tutoring
    Email
    Headshot of Paula Rawlins, Associate Director of Undergraduate Writing and Tutoring
  • I facilitate the planning, production, and implementation of online courses and degree programs.

    Matthew Reynolds

    Senior Associate Director, Digital Education
    Email
    203-444-6210
    The sign behind the front desk reads Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning
  • I share Yale's teaching with the world.

    Kristina Sanchez

    Senior Associate Director, Digital Education
    Email
    (203) 314-4965
    Headshot of Kristi Sanchez, Associate Director, Digital Education
  • I edit and produce video content, from social media shorts to expansive online courses and everything in between.

    Brian Smail III

    Video Producer & Editor
    Email
    Headshot of Brian Smail, Video Producer and Editor
  • I support Yale's use of Canvas and ed tech tools used in teaching and learning.

    Ryan Sobeck

    Associate Director, Educational & Engagement Technology
    Email
    Headshot of Ryan Sobeck, Assistant Director, Educational Technology.
  • I partner with faculty to transform their classroom material into compelling video content for online programs.

    Thom Stylinski

    Senior Creative Director
    Email
    Headshot of Thom Stylinski, Senior Creative Director at the Poorvu Center
  • I provide digital education leadership and help shape the strategic priorities of the Poorvu Center.

    Lucas Swineford

    Executive Director, Digital Education
    Email
    (203) 912-5520
    Headshot of Lucas Swineford, Executive Director, Digital Education at the Poorvu Center
  • I promote Yale Online through marketing and strategic communications.

    Jasmine Taylor

    Assistant Director, Digital Education
    Email
    (203) 432-8632
    Headshot of Jasmine Taylor, Assistant Director, Digital Education
  • I work with faculty across the university to design, create, and promote online courses and non-degree programs.

    Abigail Titus

    Assistant Director, Digital Education
    Email
    (978) 460-3098
    Headshot of Abigail Titus, Assistant Director, Digital Education
  • I keep the Teaching Studios running smoothly so we can share Yale with the world.

    Craig Tomlin

    Operations Director, Teaching Studios
    Email
    (203) 627-2035
    Headshot of Craig Tomlin, Operations Director of the Yale Broadcast Studio
  • I support legal writing, divinity writing, and peer-review groups.

    Patricia Trainor

    Associate Director of Graduate Writing Support
    Email
    Headshot of Patricia Trainor, Associate Director of Graduate Writing Support
  • I support instructors who wish to implement more accessible teaching practices and foster connections within the Yale community. 

    Amanda Valdespino

    Educational Developer and Accessibility Specialist
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    Headshot of Amanda Valdespino, Educational Developer and Accessibility Specialist
  • I provide financial, as well as administrative support, to the teams of the Poorvu Center to help them do the great work that they do!

    Kevin Wanciak

    Operations Manager
    Email
    (203) 906-7361
    Headshot of Kevin Wanciak, Operations Manager at the Poorvu Center
  • I support 1–1 consultations, peer-review groups, and building community around writing.

    Ryan Wepler

    Director of the Graduate Writing Lab
    Email
    (617) 548-7838
    Headshot of Ryan Wepler, Assistant Director of the Poorvu Center's Graduate Writing Lab
  • I manage the tools that support Yale’s community engagement and campus events.

    Heidi Wilson

    Assistant Director, Educational & Engagement Technology
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    Headshot of Heidi Wilson, Assistant Director of Engagement Technology