Dean of the Faculty | Dr. Sergio Costola
Sergio is Corbin Robertson, Jr. Endowed and Dean of the Faculty at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Bologna in Italy and a PhD from the University of California, in Los Angeles. His research interests focus on vision and the ways in which it has been constructed throughout history, in particular during the period that separates the medieval from the early modern period, with brief forays into nineteenth-century African American theatre. He is the author of Commedia dell’Arte Scenarios (Routledge 2021), has collaborated on The Dramaturgy of Commedia dell’Arte with Olly Crick (Routledge 2022), edited with Michael Saenger Shakespeare in Succession: Translation and Time (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2023), and is currently working on a monograph on Lucrezia Borgia and her performances at the Este court. He has also published various book chapters and articles in journals including Teatro e Storia, International Journal of Art and Technology, Renaissance Quarterly, Asian Theatre Journal, Mediaevalia, and The Journal of American Drama and Theatre.
Director | Dr. Maria L. Macik
Maria serves as the Director for the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Scholarship at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and sociology, a Master of Science degree in educational psychology, and a PhD in cognitive psychology from Texas A&M University. Her research interests focus on creative thinking and systems thinking in higher education. Maria has extensive experience and expertise in the areas of faculty development, curricular renewal at the program level, organizational change management, qualitative research, and assessment/evaluation. She is certified in conflict mediation and has published many articles in journals including Program Re(Design) Model: A Sustainable, System-Level Approach to Faculty Development, Curriculum Redesign in Veterinary Medicine: Part I, Curriculum Redesign in Veterinary Medicine: Part II, Designing Geology and Geophysics Curricula from the Ground Up, and Facilitating Program, Faculty, and Student Transformation: A Framework for Curriculum Redesign. Maria enjoys collaborating with others on innovative projects and is a recipient of the 2021 Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Team Collaboration.
Instructional Design & Technology | Dr. Melanie Hoag
Melanie Hoag joined Southwestern University in April 2004 as its inaugural Instructional Technologist and later added Instructional Designer to her skill set. With a passion for enhancing education through technology and design, she collaborates with faculty to create engaging, effective course designs and integrate supportive technologies. Her work includes individual and group consultations, hands-on workshops, and opportunities for innovative exploration.
Melanie provides comprehensive support to faculty and staff for Moodle, Southwestern’s Learning Management System, ensuring seamless integration of technology in their teaching. She also facilitates the implementation of Google Workspace for Education apps and services across the university community, enhancing collaboration and productivity.
Melanie leads initiatives in AI integration in higher education, both at Southwestern and in broader academic spheres - Building an Inclusive Generative AI Toolset for Student-Centered Learning Activities, Associated Colleges of the South, Summer 2024 workshop. She oversees the SU Makerspaces in the library, offering project consultations and implementation support for students’ coursework, King Creativity projects, and research endeavors. Her instructional design expertise ensures these spaces are utilized to their full potential, fostering creativity and innovation.
Her involvement in the SU community extends to teaching a First-Year/Advanced-Entry Seminar, serving on various committees including the Staff Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging & Equity Committee, the Staff Steering Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and advising the Canterbury Student Organization. Melanie’s contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic were highlighted in two articles: “A Steep Learning Curve” (Southwestern Magazine, Spring 2021) and “It’s Just Not the Same, Part 1,” which showcase the Center for Teaching, Learning & Scholarship’s services and support. Melanie’s accolades include the Joe S. Mundy Award for Exemplary Service and recognition as a Bob Lilly Guest Coach for SU Football.
Locations
|
CTLS Director Smith Library Center, #143, 1001 E. University Avenue, Georgetown, TX 78626 |
|
|
Instructional Technology & Design Smith Library Center, #141, 1001 E. University Avenue, Georgetown, TX 78626 |
To contact and/or to set up a time to meet, please send an email to Melanie at hoagm@southwestern.edu. To contact Melanie for a specific area, please use the following email addresses: AI at SU - su-ai-highered@southwestern.edu Moodle - moodle@southwestern.edu |