MISSION
The Trefny Innovative Instruction Center’s mission is to inspire an institutional culture that values, studies, and implements transformative teaching and learning at Mines. The Center provides leadership, consultation, resources, and programs to achieve the four areas of our mission:
TEACHING & LEARNING
Promote teaching that is intentionally designed, supportive of students, focused on learning, and reflective.
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP
Advance teaching and learning through university strategic planning, initiatives, and policy.
EDUCATION RESEARCH
Further data-driven instruction and education research.
Community
Foster a collaborative, learning-centered teaching community.
Find Us at Green Center 211!
TREFNY TEAM
Megan Sanders, Ph.D
Director
Megan leads the Trefny Center team in their work with faculty and staff to continuously expand high-quality, research-based, and innovative learning experiences for Mines students. In her role, she also collaborates with campus colleagues on institution-level initiatives to improve teaching and learning. Megan earned a PhD in Educational Psychology from the Ohio State University and previously served as the Senior Assessment Associate in the Trefny Center. Before coming to Mines, she worked in the teaching centers at both Ohio State and Carnegie Mellon University. When not wearing her Director hat, Megan aspires to improve her skiing, find off-the-grid spots to take the camper, and hike with her husband and goldendoodle.
Laura Carroll, Ph.D
Education Researcher
Laura earned a Ph.D. in Engineering Education Research from the University of Michigan. Her research interests include the college experiences and academic success of neurodiverse students, instructional change, barriers instructors experience in adopting active learning, and instrument development. She has experience using qualitative methods and advanced quantitative methods including structural equation modeling. As a member of the Trefny team, Laura supports faculty with the educational component of grant proposals. She develops educational research and assessment/evaluation plans and serves as an educational researcher or external evaluator. Prior to pursuing her Engineering Education Research graduate work, Laura earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan and conducted high temperature structural materials research at Idaho National Laboratory and General Electric Aviation.
Carla M. Strickland-Hughes, Ph.D
Assessment Associate
Prior to joining the Trefny team, Carla was the Faculty Fellow of Assessment and an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of the Pacific in California. She earned her PhD in Psychology at the University of Florida and is an expert in learning and memory in adulthood. She is trained in experimental and intervention research methodologies and uses quantitative and qualitative data to inform changes that improve student learning and to evaluate the effectiveness of those changes. As Assessment Associate in the Trefny Center, Carla helps instructors conduct classroom-based research, supports departments on program-level assessment, and collaborates on university-level assessment projects. When not at work or spending quality couch time with their senior cat Claudia, Carla and husband can be spotted in the mountains, hiking up, camping in, and skiing down.
Heather R. Houlton
Assessment Associate
Heather leverages data-driven practices to foster institutional change and ensure students, faculty, and staff have the support needed to achieve their career goals. She holds a Master’s of Science in Geology from Purdue University, where her research explored the student-to-professional transition. For over ten years after her degree, Heather employed qualitative and quantitative research methods to investigate workforce trends in the geosciences and identified strategies for minimizing barriers to participation. For the past five years, she served as a data scientist at Mines, providing insights to support institutional success. At the Trefny Center, Heather helps bridge the gap between academic programs and workforce needs, supports program-level assessments, and collaborates on university-wide projects to ensure alignment with industry demands. Outside of work, Heather enjoys snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, camping, cooking, learning guitar, and playing Nintendo.
Betsy Angelino
Fiscal and Operations Manager
A Colorado native, Betsy earned a Master’s of International and Intercultural Management and has previous experience in International Education, K-12 leadership development, community corrections, teaching ESL, and even owned a dessert catering company. In her current role, she enjoys supporting the entire Trefny team with efficient processes and communications. When not working, Betsy volunteers as a therapy dog team with Rosie, her English Cream Golden Retriever, and likes spending time with her family.
Kira Marshall-Mckelvey, Ph.D
Faculty Developer
Kira earned a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Colorado State University, where she also worked as Graduate Coordinator of Professional Development at The Institute for Learning and Teaching. Prior to joining the Trefny team, Kira served as Course Director of Public Advocacy and Public Speaking at Syracuse University. As Faculty Developer, Kira facilitates faculty learning communities, hosts workshops on topics ranging from teaching with technology to alternative assessment and supports the College Teaching Certificate program. Kira’s pedagogical interests include inclusive pedagogy, active learning, and interdisciplinary teaching. Outside of work, Kira enjoys yoga, dance, and getting outside as much as she can.
Areas of Interest: Team Teaching, Active Learning, Interdisciplinary Teaching, Engaged Pedagogy, Academic Labor
Carter Moulton, Ph.D
Faculty Developer
Prior to joining the Trefny team, Carter earned a PhD from Northwestern University and worked as a Teaching Consultant, Mentor, and Fellow at Northwestern’s Searle Center for Advancing Learning & Teaching. He provides support to Mines faculty and graduate students on topics including active learning, teaching with technology, formative and summative assessment, Universal Design for Learning, alternative grading, and more. Originally from Michigan, Carter is also a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Thailand) and enjoys writing music, bouldering, backpacking, and baking.
Areas of Interest: classroom community, critical pedagogy, ungrading & Alternative Assessment, collaborative Learning, authentic assessment, Educational Technology
OUR HISTORY
In 2014, Mines completed a multi-year strategic planning effort. Through this effort, Mines faculty and staff agreed that there was a need for greater emphasis on teaching and learning. Three of the four goals established in this plan called for a center to provide the leadership and support to innovate instruction systemically. The vision of the new center was that it should serve as a strategic extension of the Provost’s Office, providing leadership, guidance, support, and resources to advance learning and teaching across the university. The work began by creating and implementing the Engineering Learning framework. With funding from the Board of Trustees, the first major initiative was to immerse cohorts of faculty in the Engineering learning framework and to shift their focus from “covering content” to creating engaging, inclusive, and effective learning experiences. In its first three years under Founding Director Sam Spiegel, the Trefny Center reached more than a third of Mines faculty in intensive learning experiences that significantly and systemically impacted learning on campus.
Dr. John and MRs. Sharon Trefny — Founders
The Trefny Innovative Instruction Center was named in honor of Dr. John and Mrs. Sharon Trefny for their many contributions to Mines. Dr. Trefny served as Mines’ 15th President, as well as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Department Head of the Physics Department, and a Professor of Physics. Mrs. Trefny is a retired systems engineer, and served as the First Lady of Mines during Dr. Trefny’s presidency. The Trefnys remain active members of the local education community and are valued ambassadors for the institution.