My work bridges scholarship and leadership to help faculty thrive and to ensure students have the best possible experience in higher education.
About
About Us
Bridging scholarship and leadership in higher education
Bridging scholarship and leadership in higher education
As a scholar and as Director of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE), I work at the intersection of research and leadership in higher education. Staying engaged in scholarship keeps my work credible, and leadership gives it purpose. These two commitments shape my focus: supporting faculty in their professional lives, expanding access to ensure higher education serves all learners, and connecting research with practice to drive meaningful change. At the heart of this work is a commitment to strengthening the student experience.
Supporting Faculty
Faculty are at the center of student success, research innovation, and community impact. My work emphasizes practical strategies that strengthen academic life — from mentoring and leadership development to resources that help faculty balance teaching, scholarship, and service. By investing in faculty, institutions invest in their own long-term vitality.
Expanding Access
Higher education must be built for everyone to participate fully. I focus on accessibility and inclusive design in course content, digital tools, and institutional practices, ensuring that barriers are identified and removed. Expanding access means creating conditions where all students and faculty can contribute, succeed, and feel that they belong.
Connecting Research & Practice
Scholarship is most valuable when it improves the way we teach, learn, and lead. I draw on research in higher education, faculty development, and organizational change to inform faculty programming and institutional initiatives. By connecting evidence with practice, I work to bridge ideas and action in ways that support faculty, enrich the student experience, and strengthen the broader academic community.
Collaborative for Education Systems, Leadership and Analysis
Location
CESLA
816-235-5872
4747 Troost Avenue
Suite 207
Kansas City, MO
United States
64110
Mailing Address
Diane Filion Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE)
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO
United States
64110