Center for Instructional Innovation - Western Washington University's Teaching and Learning Center
Who We Are
The Center for Instructional Innovation (CII) has served Western's campus community as a teaching and learning center for over eight years. Our staff, as you will find below is a team of experts in various instructional, technical, and administrative arenas. Although much of the work at the CII involves coordinating and presenting workshops & events, working with faculty on the Innovative Teaching Showcase, teaching, doing research, and publishing, some of the most visually exciting projects we create are instructional materials for video and the web. View samples of our multimedia work on our Work Portfolio page.
Staff
Karen Casto, J.D., Director
Email: Karen.Casto@wwu.edu
College Hall 303 (temporarily located in MH238B)
Tel. Ext. 4943
Oh, where to begin...Karen made the CII happen before there was even an office. Her background as a patent lawyer (J.D.), as an author, in textbook publishing, and as a self-proclaimed computer geek, oddly provided her with the perfect background for running a teaching and learning center. Her ingenuity and penchant for innovative ideas constantly keeps the CII hopping. Her role seamlessly transitions from fearless leader to adviser, teacher, inspiration-giver, and team player on a daily basis.
Justina Brown, M.Ed.
Instructional & Multimedia Designer
Email: Justina.Brown@wwu.edu
College Hall 301 (temporarily located in MH238A)
Tel. Ext. 7210
Justina came to the CII first as a graduate research assistant in 1999. With her Bachelor's degree in psychology, focusing on learning theory, her Masters of Education in adult education and instructional technology, and a background in graphic design, she brings a broad range of skills to the design of instructional multimedia solutions. She and Karen work together with the student technology assistants as a team in all of the CII's projects.
Student Staff
Alissa French
The eclectic new addition, Alissa, has held jobs ranging from photographic technician to circus performer. A Spanish major/Psych minor, she is also pursuing a web developer certificate and has an interest in videography and dance.
Nick Henscheid
Nick brings talent and style from his background in everything from mathematics, web development, graphics, photography, and audio/video production, to workworking and making music.
Jeff Reiter
Jeff is our resident programmer, working on web-based applications such as the online syllabus creation tool that is currently in production. He is an accounting major and computer science minor.
Andriy Semenyuk
For Andriy, an international student at Western, everyday is new experience. As the CII’s resident videographer, Andriy brings his unique perspective and creativity to all forms of camera work, video shoots and production.
