As one of the interim co-directors at the Center for Educational Innovation since 2019, Kate works with the vice provost for faculty and academic affairs and academic leadership systemwide to shape and support the educational priorities of the University and of the academic units at each of the five campuses. She oversees strategic plan implementation, provides operational, fiscal and managerial leadership and supervises the work of seven professional and academic staff. This includes aligning CEI staff expertise and resources with the curricular and pedagogical goals of the UMN teaching community. Recent projects include establishing the CEI MPACT 2025 Education Grants. These grants provided $264K in funding to 18 academic units representing four of the five UMN campuses for strategic projects that advance student success and community and belonging.
Much of Kate’s work centers on improving accessibility and inclusion at UMN. As a member of the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee, Kate contributes to University-wide advocacy for and adoption of digitally accessible practices. On the Transforming Learning Environments Steering Committee, she participates in the dissemination and adoption of course design and instructional practices that support student mental health and well-being.
Kate also collaborates on the design and facilitation of workshops and webinars, faculty and instructor programs, and teaching-related events. With colleagues in Global Programs and Strategy Alliance, she co-created a robust and on-going faculty program for Internationalizing Teaching and Learning about which she has published and presented nationally.
With a Master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages, Kate still occasionally teaches both in-person and online asynchronous graduate courses in the International Teaching Assistant Program. She has lived and worked abroad in Spain and India.
Kate serves as liaison to:
- College of Pharmacy (UMD & UMTC)