MERIT Bids Farewell to Catherine Stephens

MERIT bids farewell to Catherine Stephens, our Senior Education Technology Consultant. Catherine started at the Center for Instructional Materials & Computing (CIMC) in January of 2002 with a Masters Degree in Education with an Instructional Technology emphasis, Teaching Certificate, and a BA in English from UW-Madison.  She has assisted faculty and staff with selecting, adopting, and learning how to use web tools for teaching.  She provided instructional design and has fostered bridge building between School of Education (SoE) faculty and staff, campus partners, and MERIT services. Catherine’s last day at MERIT is June 15, 2017.

Catherine’s accomplishments include co-designing and facilitating Integrating Digital Media into Research and Teaching with Prof Kurt Squire, design and leadership for the “Teaching for Tomorrow” workshops series for SoE graduate students, supporting the administration of the  RITI grants, and coordinating and leading the development of “Individual Technology Plans” for faculty across the SoE.  Catherine’s work extends across UW-Madison; she has participated with and supported UW-Madison Community of Practice groups,  served on the SoE Equity and Diversity Committee, and served as past chair of ComETS.  Earlier in her career, Catherine helped lead a UW-Madison pilot to explore and teach with “Second Life”, a virtual world that allowed for simulation and role-play in SoE class spaces. This past year she co-led a new Academic Staff Mentoring community of practice.  In the spring of 2016, she was inducted as a fellow into the UW-Madison Teaching Academy.

“Catherine is an innovator.  Her seemingly tireless, behind-the-scenes and at-the-lead-engaged-with-learners work with educational technology enhancements for teaching colleagues in the UW-Madison’s School of Education stands out among efforts to improve our profession.  She’s a true “ideas person” bringing to light at once, common sense teaching practice and uncommon enthusiasm for new directions in teaching and learning.”
Michael Maguire, Faculty Associate, UW-Madison School of Human Ecology, UW-Madison Teaching Academy Fellow

We share our gratitude for her contributions around instructional design, support for teaching and learning in and out of the classroom, MERIT news writing, and contributions to the design and offering of SoE professional development events. We appreciate the fifteen years that Catherine has shared with us as a colleague, and as a person known for relationship-building, collaboration, and mentorship. We wish Catherine the best as she continues to learn and grow professionally in new fields connected with coaching, guiding change, and support for the arts. SoE and campus colleagues are invited to join us at the Red Gym on May 18 from 12 – 1:30 pm to celebrate her accomplishments and wish Catherine well.