Meet the Lifelong Learning Staff
Our Leaders
Mike Simmons
Assistant Vice President of Lifelong Learning
msimmons@twu.edu
940.898.3431
Mike has been at TWU since 2001. He oversees the managerial and administrative issues including policies and budgeting for Lifelong Learning. He also teaches as an adjunct professor in the History and Government department at TWU. He is the father of three boys – ages 16, 6 and 4. In his spare time he is completing his doctoral dissertation from UTA in public administration and urban affairs.
Colleen Ferguson
Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning
cferguson@twu.edu
940.898.3404
With TWU since 1989, Colleen has overseen the planning and development of hundreds of continuing education opportunities, community enrichment courses and conferences that draw participation from TWU, the Denton community, as well as international visitors. She was recently named as one of Convention South Magazine’s “Meeting Planners to Watch for 2008.” She has been planning conferences and events for over 30 years.
Dr. Lynda Murphy
Director of Distance Education
lmurphy@twu.edu
940.898.3405
Lynda was hired by the TWU Graduate School in 1993. Before that, she worked for 10 years at Navarro College in student services and served as an adjunct instructor in their fine arts program. Currently, she coordinates TWU’s distance education activities.
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Continuing Education
Yolonda Kelley-Larry
Program Coordinator, Houston Center
ykelleylarry@twu.edu
713.794.2039
Yolonda is one of Lifelong Learning’s newest employees. She began working at TWU in May of 2008. Yolonda coordinates and supervises self-supporting, non-credit programs that are held at the Institute of Health Sciences in Houston and off-campus in the Houston area. Yolonda enjoys taking care of her of husband and three children outside of TWU, along with interior design, reading, roller coasters & beaches!
Adam Reese
Program Coordinator
areese@twu.edu
940.898.3466
Adam began with TWU in the Office of Lifelong Learning in September 2008. He coordinates and supervises self-supporting, non-credit programs that are held on and off campus. He holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management from The University of North Texas with emphasis on business management, marketing, sales and public relations. Adam has over 20 years of marketing, sales, advertising and public relations experience. He serves the Denton community on various board of directors and enjoys giving his time to the community where he lives and works. Adam is passionate about performing and can often be seen at The Campus Theatre on the historic square in downtown Denton.
Cindy Howell
Project Coordinator
chowell@twu.edu
940.898.3445
Cindy has been at TWU since July of 1989 and with the Office of Lifelong Learning since 1998. In her current position, she designs promotional materials for events sponsored by Continuing Education and maintains the CE website.Cindy has an Associate of Office Administration degree from North Central Texas College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor in Family Studies degree at TWU. She enjoys spending time with her family, photography and walking for exercise.
Gwenn McKeehan
Continuing Education Accounting Assistant
gmckeehan@twu.edu
940.898.3408
Gwenn began in May of 2008 as the Continuing Education Accounting Assistant. She has over 20 years of accounting experience. Before coming to TWU, Gwenn worked in the accounting field in Chicago and in the Dallas, Ft. Worth area. Currently she is in charge of billing and processing payments for all of Continuing Education's non-credit workshops. Gwenn enjoys spending time with her son and attending his sport events.
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Distance Education
Dr. Keith Restine
Associate Director of Distance Education
krestine@twu.edu
9403898.3232
Keith has been at TWU since November 2006, but he has worked with students and technology far longer than that. He currently works with faculty to develop online courses. Keith has four degrees from four different institutions. Two of his favorite things are food from New Mexico and bike riding.
Alli Peterson
Senior Instructional Design Specialist, Denton and Dallas
apeterson@twu.edu
940.898.3486
Alli has been assisting faculty with their online courses since December 2003. Before working for Lifelong Learning, she worked at the library at TWU. Even then, she was still working in distance education. She helped online faculty with their electronic reserves and distance students with their research and article requests. She has a Master of Library Science degree from TWU. She is an avid reader and self proclaimed techno-geek.
Valerie Shapko
Senior Instructional Design Specialist, Houston Center
vshapko@twu.edu
713.794.2042
In August of 2008, Ms. Valerie Shapko joined the Lifelong Learning team as the new senior instructional design specialist for the Institute of Health Sciences in Houston. For the past 10 years, she served as an instructional designer for institutions such as Sun Health, University of Phoenix and ECS. Valerie holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in web site administration from The Art Institute of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Arts in computer science and communications from Brooklyn College, as well as a Master of Business Administration and Global Management degree from the University of Phoenix. She also has four years of teaching experience both in the classroom and online.
Allison Mabry
Coordinator, Distance Education Communications
amabry@twu.edu
940.898.3411
Allison is the Coordinator of DE Communications. She has worked here since October of 2004, and in her current position she creates and executes communication plans for any internal, university-wide communications as it pertains to distance learners and faculty who teach online. She also maintains the DE website and helps with student inquiries. She has a Master of Journalism degree from the University of North Texas and loves to cook.
Heidi Ashbaugh
Instructional Design Specialist, College of Health Sciences
hashbaugh@twu.edu
940.231.3673
Heidi is the instructional designer for the College of Health Sciences. She has been with Lifelong Learning since 2007, and before that she was a catalog librarian at the Blagg-Huey Library. She has also served as an adjunct professor for TWU as well as for NCTC in Corinth. Heidi has a Master of Arts in English and a Master of Library Science degree. Ashbaugh earned all three of her degrees at TWU.
Robin Bartoletti
Instructional Design Specialist, College of Nursing
rbartoletti@twu.edu
940.231.4956
Robin is the instructional designer for the College of Nursing. She began her TWU career in 2007. Prior to that, Robin was heavily involved in educational technology at Northeastern State University, the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the University of North Texas. She has a Master of Science in information sciences and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in library science at TWU. Robin spends her spare time as a collage artist. She is married to the most wonderful husband on earth, Eric.
Tracey Mac Gowan
Instructional Design Specialist, College of Professional Education
tmacgowan@twu.edu
940.231.3498
Since 2007, Tracey has worked with the College of Professional Education as their instructional designer. Previously, she worked as a library assistant III for the Woman’s Collection at the Blagg-Huey Library. Before coming to TWU in 2000, Tracey worked in the landscape and nursery industry as well as a caseworker for the Texas MHMR. She has a Master of Education in counseling and career services and enjoys gardening, cooking and weaving.
Jake McBee
Instructional Design Specialist, College of Arts and Sciences
jmcbee@twu.edu
940.395.0582
Jake began his position as the instructional designer for Arts and Sciences in 2007. Before coming to TWU, he worked at Texas A&M University as a computer software trainer. He is also the owner of Boneyard Studio, a ceramics studio located in Denton, TX. Jake is no stranger to TWU as he worked here from 1993 to 2001 as a graphic artist, support specialist and instructional coordinator. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography and ceramics from TWU in 1993. He also served in the United States Army from 1983 to 2002.
Julie Brown
Distance Education Senior Administrative Assistant
jbrown3@twu.edu
940.898.3409
Julie has worked at TWU since 2005. She conducts administrative duties such as coordinating meetings, travel and purchases. She also interacts with students either by email or live chat sessions to provide answers, resources and contact information. Julie enjoys bike riding and likes expressing her creativity through painting, pottery and photography.
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page last updated 11/13/2008 10:36