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Course Stories, Season 5, Episode 4: From Professing to Connecting: Authentic Engagement in CIS 105

Join the Course Stories team as Student Success and Retention Specialist, Michaela Owen, and Instructional Designer, Katrina Vollmer, sit down with the myth, the legend, Jonathan Davis, CIS 105 Instructor. Hear why Jonathan has become a bit of a Success Coach legend for his use of course communications through the Academic Status Report feature. We don’t want to give it away, but Jonathan’s use of ASRs might surprise you. Jonathan also shares his unique approach to humanizing the online classroom through radical authenticity with his students by “dropping the mask” and sharing some of his passions directly with learners. Don’t forget to check out the Jonathan J. Davis LGBTQ Scholarship Endowment. Consider joining Jonathan in supporting students in need today!

In this Episode:

Jonathan J. Davis | Asst Dir Info Technology, Barrett Honors College – Technology

Jonathan Davis serves as the Assistant Director at the Barrett Technology Office of Arizona State University (ASU). With over a decade of dedicated service at ASU, he has contributed significantly to the W. P. Carey School of Business and Barrett, The Honors College. Before joining ASU, Jonathan occupied various IT positions at esteemed institutions including the Scottsdale Unified School District and GoDaddy.

 

He holds a Master’s degree in Information Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Beyond his professional commitments, Jonathan is actively involved in volunteer work, offering his IT expertise to multiple non-profit organizations in the Valley.

 

Demonstrating his commitment to supporting education and inclusivity, in 2021, Jonathan established the Jonathan J. Davis LGBTQ Scholarship Endowment at ASU. This initiative aims to provide vital assistance to LGBTQ-identified honors students, facilitating their academic journey towards graduation. In personal pursuits, Jonathan has a passion for travel and theater.

Katrina Vollmer | Instructional Designer

Katrina Vollmer is an Instructional Designer with EdPlus at ASU Online where she assists instructional designers and faculty in the design and development of online courses and course materials. Prior to her role as an instructional designer, she worked as a teacher accumulating more than 10 years of instructional experience and curriculum development. She also supported online students in higher education of various backgrounds and disciplines as a Success Coach. 

Michaela Owen | Instructional Designer Associate/Academic Success Retention Specialist

Michaela Owen is an an Instructional Designer with EdPlus at ASU Online where she aids instructional designers and faculty in the design and development of online courses.Formerly a secondary English teacher, she transitioned to ASU as an online Success Coach and then Academic Success and Retention Specialist with the Learning Initiatives Team in EdPlus. With a focus on ASU Online’s highest impact courses and first-year students, she is passionate about helping learners find support and achieve their goals.

Your Hosts

Ricardo Leon smiling
Ricardo Leon is a Media Developer for EdPlus and is a co-creator and co-host of Course Stories. He has developed a number of other podcasts and various other forms of instructional media. In 2021, Ricardo was on a team that received The President’s Award, which formally recognizes successful solutions in innovation, for his work on the Study Hall project with Crash Course.
Mary is wearing glasses, smiling, has short brown hair
Mary Loder is an instructional designer at EdPlus and is the Online Learning Manager - Professional Development and Training on the Instructional Design and New Media team at EdPlus. She is also the co-creator and co-host for Course Stories, a podcast highlighting and showcasing the talents of our faculty and staff at ASU.

Your Producer

Elizabeth Blythe-Lee, a Senior Instructional Designer at ASU Online - EdPlus, is the creative force behind Course Stories. An ASU alumna with a BA in English Literature and a Masters of Education from NAU, Elizabeth has been a part of the ASU community since 2009. Her expertise in crafting accessible online courses is enhanced by her passion for storytelling and a unique flair for adding a touch of Disney magic to her work. A history and literature enthusiast, Elizabeth's background in writing shines through in every course narrative, making learning an enchanting journey.

Resources from this Episode

Additional Links for your enjoyment and exploration into a deeper understanding of this Course Story.

Ready to learn more about how you can use Academic Status Reports (ASRs)? Check out this Faculty Guide!

Want to join Jonathan in his support for LGBTQ Scholars? Donate to the Jonathan J. David LGBTQ Endowment today!

If you want to learn more about Success Coaches and how you can refer a student to their Coach today, check out this resource.

Don’t forget to join ASU Online Webinars on April 3, 202, for our Next ASU Faculty Showcase for Excellence in Online Teaching.
Click here to register for the ASU Online Faculty Showcase.

Course Stories is produced by EdPlus out of Arizona State University.

Follow us on Twitter @CourseStories

Are you an ASU Online instructor? Do you have a Course Story to tell? 
Email us CourseStories@asu.edu

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