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Staff

DIRECTOR

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Meet Dr. Mike Conn - Director of IECC CETL

Mike Conn is the Director of the CETL. A lifelong educator, Mike has broad experience as a teacher, instructional designer, and administrator. From 2017 to 2023, Mike was the Dean of Instruction at Olney Central College. Mike also teaches Art History and Drawing (ART 1181, 2181, and ART 1113) online for IECC. Before that, he was an Associate Professor of Art at OCC, specializing in online art education methods. Mike was the OCC College Council chair from 2011-2017 and the Student Senate advisor from 2010-2015. He holds a Doctor of Education Degree in Education, Policy, and Leadership from the University of Illinois, a Master of Arts from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Grand Valley State University. Before teaching at IECC, Michael was a K-12 teacher in Michigan, working for Grand Haven and Iron Mountain Public Schools. Michael also serves as a board member for the Illinois Arts Council. He resides in Olney, Illinois, with his wife and three children.

 

COORDINATOR OF MARKETING & GRAPHIC DESIGN

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Meet Cameron Ireland - Marketing and Graphic Design Coordinator

Cameron Ireland serves as the Coordinator of Marketing and Communications for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, where he spearheads digital presence management and AI integration initiatives. He develops comprehensive content strategies, creates data visualizations, and implements faculty/staff technology training programs to enhance institutional effectiveness.

With expertise in digital marketing and instructional design, Cameron delivers innovative solutions for CETL's educational technology and professional development programs.

Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning

CETL Instructors

Jamie Barbee, M.P.H.

College & Career Center Specialist / Adjunct Professor / CETL Instructor

Courses Taught
EDU 1617 – Higher Ed Classroom Management
Education & Credentials
  • Master of Public Health
  • Certificate in Teaching Excellence
Jamie Barbee combines her background in student support, health education, and instructional practice to prepare faculty for success in managing higher education classrooms.

Dr. Laura Bruck

Instructor, Chemistry / CETL

Courses Taught
EDU 1613 – Bloom's Taxonomy Best Practices
EDU 1614 – Higher Ed Information Literacy
EDU 1615 – Cognitive Load Best Practices
EDU 1616 – Adult Learning in Higher Ed
EDU 1617 – Higher Ed Classroom Management
Education & Credentials
  • Ph.D., Chemistry Education
  • M.S., Chemistry
  • B.S., Chemistry
  • Licensed K–12 Educator
Dr. Laura Bruck has been with IECC since 2011, teaching chemistry and education courses at Wabash Valley College. Her background includes teaching grades 7–12 science and chemistry, and she brings extensive expertise in chemistry education research. Dr. Bruck has published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of College Science Teaching and the Journal of Chemical Education.

Dr. Michael R. Conn, Ed.D.

Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning / Associate Professor of Art

Courses Taught
EDU 1620 – Online Course Design
Education & Credentials
  • Doctor of Education in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Master of Arts – New York University
  • Bachelor of Science in Education – Grand Valley State University
Dr. Michael R. Conn has been an educator since 1999, serving as a K–12 teacher in Michigan, Associate Professor of Art at Olney Central College, Dean of Instruction at OCC (2017–2023), and currently as Director of CETL. He specializes in art education, online learning, and higher education leadership. Dr. Conn has published and presented broadly on the topics of instructional design.

Nixie Hnetkovsky, M.A.

Associate Professor, Life Sciences / CETL

Courses Taught
EDU 1605 – Advanced Pedagogical Practices
EDU 1612 – Making Canvas LMS Connections
Education & Credentials
  • Master of Arts in Biotechnology/Plant & Soil Science – Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Bachelor of Science in Plant & Soil Science – Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Quality Matters Master Reviewer & Peer Reviewer Certification
Nixie Hnetkovsky has been a faculty member at Frontier Community College since 2003, where she currently serves as Discipline Facilitator for Life Sciences. She focuses on effective course design and Quality Matters standards. As a certified Quality Matters Master Reviewer and Peer Reviewer, she has developed QM-certified online courses and mentors faculty in best practices for course delivery.

Cameron Ireland, B.S.

CETL Instructor & Coordinator of Marketing and Communications

Specialization
Educational Technology
Digital Marketing & Communications
AI Integration & Faculty Technology Training
Education & Credentials
  • Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism (Experience Marketing & Service Management, with Honors) – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2021
  • Associate Degree – °µÍø½âÃÜ, 2019
Cameron Ireland coordinates marketing and communications for CETL, leading initiatives in digital content, AI integration, and faculty/staff technology training. He applies his expertise in digital marketing, data visualization, and instructional design to enhance CETL programming.

Amie L. Mayhall, MBA

Associate Professor, Business & Information / CETL

Courses Taught
EDU 1600 – Basic Pedagogical Practices
Education & Credentials
  • Post-Graduate Certificate, Health Information Management – Weber State University, 2018
  • Master of Business Administration – Eastern Illinois University, 2002
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Education – Eastern Illinois University, 1999
  • Associate of Science in Business Administration – Lake Land College, 1997
Amie L. Mayhall has served Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) for more than 22 years, contributing to program development, district assessment initiatives, and innovative instructional practices. She brings extensive experience with multiple teaching modalities, including online, flipped, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction. Known for integrating new technologies into the classroom, Mrs. Mayhall is committed to enhancing student engagement and success.

Jessica McDonald, M.A.

Assistant Professor, Speech/Communication / CETL

Courses Taught
EDU 1610 – Creating Educational Videos
Education & Credentials
  • Master of Arts in Communication Studies – Eastern Illinois University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Culture, Minor in Marketing – Indiana University, Bloomington
Jessica McDonald is an Assistant Professor of Speech and Communication at Olney Central College and serves as Director of Strategic Communications for IECC. She brings professional experience in higher education, nonprofit communications, and public speaking. Prior to IECC, she taught at Eastern Illinois University and served as Communications Coordinator at the CANDLES Holocaust Museum. Ms. McDonald is also actively involved in community theater and brings creativity and energy to her teaching.

Dr. Kevin Smith, Ed.D.

Professor / CETL

Courses Taught
EDU 1618 – Leadership for Education
Education & Credentials
  • Doctor of Education
  • Master of Education
  • Bachelor of Science – Business Administration
  • Professional Educator's Licensure, Building-Level Leadership, and District-Level Leadership Certifications
Dr. Kevin Smith brings a broad career in leadership, spanning education, manufacturing, business, athletics, and organizational development. He has previously served as a university dean, K–12 superintendent, principal, athletic director, coach, and executive leader in manufacturing. Dr. Smith is committed to developing excellence in leadership, education, and organizational effectiveness.

Sonja Wease, M.A.

Assistant Director of Human Resources / CETL Instructor

Courses Taught
EDU 1601 – Faculty Orientation
Education & Credentials
  • Master of Arts
Sonja Wease serves as Assistant Director of Human Resources at IECC and teaches CETL's Faculty Orientation course. She brings extensive administrative and HR expertise to her teaching, helping new faculty navigate institutional policies, resources, and best practices in higher education.