Presentations

Liberating Andragogy in Online Course Materials for Student Success
Quality Matters Connect, Bloomington, MN (November 2023)
Presenters: Jessica Haas, Jessica Handley

Designing Adventures for Lasting Learning:  Best Practices in Learning Experience Design - 1st place poster
Quality Matters Connect, Bloomington, MN (November 2023)
Presenter: Elena Guel

Evolution in Technology: AI Tools and Their Future in Education
Teach with AI Conference, Orlando, FL (September 2023)
Presenter: Elena Guel

Endless Possibilities: Embracing Book Studies as Professional Development
MAGNA Instructional Design Professionals Virtual Conference.
Virtual, (August 2023)
Presenters: Jessica Handley

Leveraging Technology in Online Courses.
USDLA Virtual Conference.
Virtual, (July 2023).
Presenter: Veronica Rodriguez   

Building Shelves of Success for Your Learner's Closet
The Learning Ideas Conference
New York, NY (June 2023)
Presenter: Emma Silva

Hildas Journey.
TxDLA Virtual Conference 2023
Virtual (April 2023). 
Presenters: Claudia Vela & Roberto Rivera  

You Have Now Crossed Over into The Presence Zone.
TxDLA Virtual Conference 2023
Virtual (April 2023). 
Presenters: Claudia Vela & Roberto Rivera 

X-Files on Best Practices for Online/Hybrid Courses.
TxDLA Virtual Conference 2023
Virtual (April 2023). 
Presenters: Edith Deleon & Elizabeth Valdez

Battling Against Disengagement in Online and Hybrid Courses.
TxDLA Virtual Conference 2023
Virtual (April 2023). 
Presenters: Edith Deleon & Elizabeth Valdez

The Chronicles of COLTT: ​A Journey Into Accessibility
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA)
Galveston, Texas (March 2023)
Presenters: Anthony Salinas, Angelica Martinez, Emma Silva

Cognitive Bias:I Make Bad Decisions, Do You?
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA)
Galveston, Texas (March 2023)
Presenters: George Handley, Anthony Salinas

El Viaje de Hilda: Una Historia de Éxito, Accesibilidad e inclusion.
HETS Best Practices Showcase. 
Puerto Rico, (January 2023) 
Presenters: Claudia Vela, Roberto Rivera, & Elizabeth Zammaron 

Presentations

The Science of Learning: Promoting Engagement in Hybrid Teaching
HETS Best Practices Showcase 2022
San Juan, Puerto Rico (February 2022)
Presenters: Francisco Garcia, Dr. Claudia Vela and Elizabeth Zamarron

Rekindling what’s burnt out: A collection of tools and resources
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) Virtual Conference (April 2022)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Effective Practices in Using Coaches in Large Online Courses
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) Conference
Galveston, Texas (March 2022)
Presenters: Dr. Tracia Forman and Jessica Sanchez

Digital Accessibility UT System Technology – Enabled Teaching and Learning Conference
San Antonio, Texas (March 2022)
Panelists: Dr. Darren Crone, Anthony Salinas, Alan Safai, and RaLynn McGuire

Pedagogical Byways to Engagement:​ Integrating SoftChalk and Blackboard​
BbWorld22 Virtual Conference (July 2022)​
Presenters: Dr. Art Brownlow and Jessica Sanchez

Rekindling what’s burnt out: A collection of tools and resources Keynote
Houston Community College’s Instructional Week- Adjunct Day 2, Virtual (August 2022)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Rekindling what’s burnt out: A collection of tools and resources Keynote
Houston Community College’s Instructional Week- Adjunct Day 1, In person (August 2022)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Rekindling what’s burnt out: A collection of tools and resources
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) eLearning Day, Virtual (October 2022)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Quest for continuous improvement: Strategies that support possibilities - 1st place poster
Quality Matters Connect, Tucson, AZ (November 2022)
Presenters: Jessica Handley, Elena Guel

An Instructional Team Approach: Supporting Students in Large Online Courses
Quality Matters Connect, Tucson, AZ (November 2022)
Presenters: Dr. Tracia Forman and Jessica Sanchez

Awards and Recognition

2021 COLTT Received UTRGV Team Excellence Award (November 10, 2018)

Presentations

Game On! Bringing Meaningful Gamification to the Learning Experience
International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE) Conference
New Orleans, LA (December 2021)
Presenters: Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley, Toni Saldivar, Siria Carrasco

Game On! Bringing Meaningful Gamification to the Learning Experience
BbWorld21 Conference, Virtual (July 2021)
Presenters: Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

How an Email Transformed ID/Faculty Relationship
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) Virtual Conference (April 2021)
Presenters: Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

From Emergency Remote to High Quality Online During the Pandemic- Plenary session
South Texas Digital Strategies Symposium (STxDSS), Virtual (February 2021)
Presenters: Francisco Garcia, Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

How an Email Transformed ID/Faculty Relationships
South Texas Digital Strategies Symposium (STxDSS), Virtual (February 2021)
Presenters: Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

HETS 2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase - Online Learning and Technology Integration
Moving to Online-Only Instruction: An Instructional Designer’s Point of View (presentation in Spanish - February 12)
Presenters: Claudia Vela, Roberto Rivera, and Elizabeth Zamarron

Presentations

UTRGV Hybrid Academy
Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS), San Juan, PR (January 2020)
Presenters: Francisco Garcia, Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

The UT Rio Grande Valley First-Gen Experience.
Blackboard's First-Gen Symposium, San Antonio, TX. (February 2020)
Presenter: Francisco Garcia

UTRGV Blueprinting Process: Our quality assurance process for Online Programs.
HETS Webinars on Distance Learning. (February 2020)
Presenters: Josie Stoleson, Toni Saldivar

The Hybrid Academy - A Professional Development for faculty teaching Hybrid Courses.
HETS Webinars on Distance Learning. (February 2020)
Presenters: Jessica Handley, Roberto Rivera

Using EesySoft at UTRGV, Above and Beyond.
EesySoft Webinar. (February 2020)
Presenter: Eric Silva

My normal +1: Manageable microchanges that move us
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) Virtual Conference (March 2020)
Presenters: Jessica Handley, George Handley

Technical Talks: Facilitating Online Teaching
A virtual book study on Excellent Online Teaching by Aaron Johnson (July-August 2020)
Facilitators: Dr. Elena Venegas, Jessica Handley

My normal +1: Manageable microchanges that move us
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) “Fall Into Place” Webinar series (November 2020)
Presenters: Jessica Handley, George Handley

Awards & Recognitions

Outstanding Commitment to Excellence and Innovation in Distance Learning by an Organization Award
Texas Distance Learning Association. (March 2019)
Awardee: Center for Online Learning and Teaching Technology

Catalyst Award for Teaching and Learning
Blackboard Inc. (July 2019)
Awardee: Dr. Ram De La Rosa

Presentations

Recipe for Engagement: Interaction Strategies that Work 
Transforming the Teaching and Learning Environment: The 2019 Virtual Conference (February 2019)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Effectively Using Multimedia and Technology in the ESL Classroom
MEXTESOL, Monterrey, México (February 2019)
Presenter: Claudia Vela

From Informal to Formal: Implementing Policies for the Design and Delivery of Distance Education Courses and Programs at UTRGV.
TxDLA, Galveston, TX. (March 2019)
Presenter: Francisco Garcia

Integrating a 24/7 All-in-One Support Center in Blackboard
TxDLA, Galveston, TX. (March 2019)
Presenter: Mary Canales, Eric Silva

Creating Digital Badges using Adobe Spark
Gameful Learning Summer Institute hosted by Academic Innovations, Ann Arbor, MI (July 2019)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa 

Using Gameful Design in Learning Development
Gameful Learning Summer Institute hosted by Academic Innovations, Ann Arbor, MI (July 2019)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Student Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments
46^th International MEXTESOL. Querétaro, México (October 2019)
Presenter: Claudia Vela

Peer Observation of Teaching: A Professional Development Tool for Every Language School
46^th International MEXTESOL. Querétaro, México (October 2019)
Presenter: Claudia Vela

Gamifying the learning experience- Keynote
EduTech, San Antonio, TX (November 2019)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Creating course badges with Adobe Spark
EduTech, San Antonio, TX (November 2019)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Publications

Cavazos, J., Morales, M., Vela, C. & Fink, J. (2019). Using Organizational, Functional, and Personal Development to Help Mid-Career Faculty Members. In A. G. Welch, J. Bolin, & D. Reardon (Eds.), Mid-Career Faculty: Trends, Barriers, and Possibilities (pp. 197-216). Brill.

Presentations

Accessibility in Online Education- Pre-conference workshop
Excellence in Online Learning Conference (EOLC), Edinburg, TX (March 2018)
Presenters: Josie Stoleson, Jessica Handley

Gamifying an Online Leadership Studies Course
International Leadership Association (ILA) Intersections interview, Virtual (March 2018)
Interviewee: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Large Online Courses - A Solution for Online Course Demand at UT Rio Grande Valley.
TxDLA, Galveston, TX. (March 2018)
Presenters: Francisco Garcia, Jessica Sanchez

Innovating Affective and Effective Instructional Innovations
Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Innovate, Nashville, TN (April 2018)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, George Handley

Gamification as Pedagogy
Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Innovate, Nashville, TN (April 2018)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Integrating a 24/7 All-In-One Support Center.
Blackboard World, Orlando, FL. (July 2018)
Presenters: Edith De Leon, Francisco Garcia, Eric Silva

Motivating learners: how to leverage gamification using Blackboard Learn™ Tools
Blackboard World, Orlando, FL (July 2018)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Anthony Salinas

Reaching all students in a multi-campus university system using Blackboard tools
Blackboard World, Orlando, FL (July 2018)
Panelists: Francisco Garcia, Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Ruben Zamora, Anthony Salinas

Recipe for Engagement: Interaction Strategies that Work- 1st place poster
Quality Matters Connect, St. Louis, MO (October 2018)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Gamification as Pedagogy: A New Perspective for Leadership Education
International Leadership Association (ILA) Global Conference, West Palm Beach, FL (October 2018)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Tailoring to fit: Selling ideas for what’s possible in online teaching- Pre-conference workshop
Quality Matters Connect, St. Louis, MO (October 2018)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

The do’s and don’ts of visual design in teaching
Rockcliffe University Consortium Conference (RUCC), San Francisco, CA (November 2018)
Presenters: Josie Stoleson, Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

Are your 1000 words worth a picture?
Rockcliffe University Consortium Conference (RUCC), San Francisco, CA (November 2018)
Presenter: Jessica Handley

Instructional Approaches to Utilizing Chatbots
Rockcliffe University Consortium Conference (RUCC), San Francisco, CA (November 10, 2018)
Presenters Jessica Sanchez, Francisco Garcia, and Zoraika Sandoval

Service

Member at Large, QM Instructional Designers Association.
Quality Matters
Anthony Salinas

Presentations

Why adopt UDL? 4 Issues addressed
Excellence in Online Learning Conference (EOLC), Edinburg, TX (March 2017)
Presenters: Jessica Handley, George Handley

Developing and Blueprinting a New Leadership Studies Program in a New HSI in South Texas
National Technology & Social Science Conference, Las Vegas, NV (April 2017)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Dr. Criselda Garcia

UTRGV Blueprinting Process: Our Quality-Assurance Process for Online Programs.
World Conference on Online Learning, Toronto, Canada. (October 2017)
Presenter: Francisco Garcia
Co-Author: Jessica Sanchez

Adventures of a New University: Pioneering Accessibility in Online Learning.
World Conference on Online Learning, Toronto, Canada. (October 2017)
Presenter: Josefina Stoleson
Co-Authors: Joseph Rutledge, Elizabeth Zamarron

How to Gamify Your Online Course.
World Conference on Online Learning, Toronto, Canada. (October 2017)
Presenter: Ramiro de la Rosa

Gamification Pedagogy
World Conference on Online Learning, Toronto, Canada (October 2017)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Highway to Hybridization
Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Accelerate (November 2017)
Presenters: Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Handley

Service

Member, THECB Learning Technology Advisory Committee
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Francisco Garcia

Presentations

Framing Gamification: A Plan for Motivation and Retention
Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS), Best Practices Showcase, San Juan, PR (January 2016)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Anthony Salinas 

Motivating learners: how to leverage gamification using Blackboard Learn™ Tools
Blackboard World, Las Vegas, NV (July 2016)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Anthony Salinas

Reaching all students in a multi-campus university system using Blackboard tools.
Blackboard World, Las Vegas, NV. (July 2016)
Presenters: Dr. Ram De la Rosa, Francisco Garcia, Ruben Zamora, Anthony Salinas

Framing Gamification: A Plan for Motivation and Retention
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) National Conference, St. Louis, MO (May 2016)
Presenters: Francisco Garcia, Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Anthony Salinas, Jessica Sanchez

Gamification and Motivation: Let’s Play Ball!
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) National Conference, St. Louis, MO (May 2016)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa 

IS Pedagogy 2.0: Gamification Approach
Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), San Diego, CA (August 2016)
Presenter: Dr. Babajide Osatuyi, Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Temidayo Osatuyi 

The Application of Gamification to the Enterprise System
Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), San Diego, CA (August 2016)
Presenter: Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Presentations

Growing Quality Matters® in an Online Organization: A Grass-roots Approach
Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS), Virtual Best Practices Showcase (January 2015)
Presenters: Edgar Gonzalez, Dr. Ram de la Rosa

Striking the Right Note: Creating Harmony in Online Programs
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) Conference, Dallas, TX (April 2015)
Presenter: Rita Vela

Leveraging Game Mechanics Through Creative Use of Blackboard Tools
Online Learning Consortium (OLC) International Conference (October 2015)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Jessica Sanchez, Anthony Salinas 

Incorporating Fun: A Gamification Framework Aligned with Quality Matters- Pre-conference session
Quality Matters (QM) Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX (November 2015)
Presenters: Dr. Ram de la Rosa, Anthony Salinas, Jessica Sanchez