Biography

Bev Bickel is a Clinical Associate Professor Emerita in the Language, Literacy, and Culture Doctoral of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Her work focuses on the production, exchange, and dissemination of transformational knowledge and collaborating to advance cultural practices for equity, justice, and participatory democracy. Having retired from UMBC in February 2022, she continues to work with doctoral students and collaborative UMBC-based projects including the Community Leadership master’s program, the Public Stories Lab inquiry project, the organizing committee of the International Digital Storytelling conference “Stories for a Just Future,” and a four-college faculty working group on Anti-Racism and Action. She also works with the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project and as an institutional coach for the Teaching to Increase Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in STEM (TIDES) of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Living in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband and mother, she is learning to listen to the stories from her garden, the trees, birds and squirrels in the neighborhood, and her four granddaughters all under the age of five. So many stories in so many languages!

Biography

Viridiana Colosio is a MA/TA student in the INCC program at UMBC, and the Program Associate at the Inclusion Imperative at the Dresher Center. She graduated from UMBC in May 2022 with a BA in Modern Languages and Linguistics with Honors with a Minor in Latin American Studies. She was awarded an Undergraduate Research Award for her project Bilingualism and Cultural Identity in the Latinx Community: A Raciolinguistic Approach to the Experience of UMBC Spanish-English Bilingual. Since September 22, she has been collaborating as a Research Assistant to the digital storytelling project Moving Stories: Latinas en Baltimore. She was born and raised in Mexico and is a mother of 2 children.

Degrees Earned

MFA, Theater, Towson University

Biography

Denise Kumani Gantt is currently the Director of Education at the Lyric Baltimore. She is the former Executive Director of the Village of Arts and Humanities in Philadelphia and worked for many years as the Director of Theater for A New Generation at Baltimore Center Stage. Her plays and performance pieces include meditations/from the ash, winner of the Artscape Best Play Contest and voted Best New Play by The Baltimore Alternative and CityPaper; Three Stories to the Ground, written with Gabriel Shanks and winner of the Theatre Project Outstanding Vision in Theatre award and anatomy/lessons selected as part of Penumbra Theater’s Cornerstone Project (MN). Her play, The Gift, a brief history of everything we have ever known, received staged readings at A Contemporary Theater (ACT-Seattle), The Drama League (New York), and Cape May Stage (NJ). Her poetry collection, conjuring the dead, was awarded the Maryland Emerging Writers Award by poet Afaa Michael Weaver. Denise has vocally trained with Richard Armstrong, Rhiannon, and Bobby McFerrin, and she was a National Endowment for the Arts Fellow at the MacDowell Colony (NH). She has also received numerous fellowships including Hedgebrook (WA), Sangam House (India), Fiskars Village (Finland), and the Santa Fe Art Institute (NM). She is currently an advisory member of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance’s Urban Arts Leadership program and is a member of the Baltimore Arts Education Initiative. Denise received her undergraduate degree from Goucher College and her MFA in Theater from Towson University. She is also an adjunct professor in theater at Coppin State University and facilitates digital story workshops with the StoryCenter and StoryCentre, CA.

Degrees Earned

BS, History and Government, Bowie State University; MA, Historical Studies with a concentration in public history, UMBC

Biography

Courtney C. Hobson is a public historian with a specialization in Black women’s history. She is a member of the planning committee for the Women’s Center’s Critical Social Justice Initiative; as well as a member of the Public Humanities Advisory Committee. Outside of UMBC, Courtney works as a historical consultant, collaborating with organizations including The Southwest Partnership, Inc. and Historical Research Associates. Courtney is also a member of the National Council on Public History and is a board member for Baltimore Heritage. Her non-academic interests include trivia, archery, pottery, cats, baking, gardening, and yelling about nerdy things on the internet.

Degrees Earned

PhD, Anthropology and Education, University of Pennsylvania

Biography

Dr. Sarah Jewett serves as the Director of Innovations in Transfer Research and Practice at UMBC. In this role, she collaboratively designs community-based experiences for prospective UMBC students enrolled at our partner community colleges, coordinates faculty-based initiatives to support and enrich transfer student experiences, and champions our inter-institutional transfer partnerships. As an ethnographic researcher, she focuses on educational equity, inclusive communities, and social identities. She is passionate about teaching and learning, and currently serves as an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Public Health and the Language, Literacy and Culture Ph.D. program.

Degrees Earned

MFA, Intermedia and Digital Art, UMBC; doctoral candidate in the in Language, Literacy, and Culture program, UMBC

Biography

Charlotte Keniston is the Associate Director of the Shriver Peaceworker Fellows Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where she facilitates partnerships between engaged graduate fellows and community organizations in the Baltimore region. Her research is focused on the nexus of storytelling and community-driven social change. She was a 2014 Open Society Institute Fellow and has worked in community food sovereignty and food justice projects in Baltimore for over 10 years. Her research and teaching interests include decolonial and feminist methodologies, participatory visual research, and food system studies. She lives in Baltimore with her partner Arnold, their two children Cole and Greta, some chickens and a big garden. 

Degrees Earned

BS, Exercise Science, University of Delaware; MS, Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs, West Chester University

Biography

Emily Passera is the Program Coordinator for Service-Learning & Community Engagement at The University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She facilitates partnerships between undergraduate students and non-profits, schools, and government agencies to fulfill their organizational needs to make social change. She is also the co-coordinator of the Shriver Living Learning Community, supporting the successful transition and retention of first-year students. She’s been a Digital Storytelling Workshop facilitator since January 2021. When not at work, you can find her hiking with her Australian Sheppard mix, Pepper.

Degrees Earned

BS, Biological Sciences with a minor in Political Science, Washington College

Biography

Latisha Pledger Is currently studying Community Leadership at UMBC in conjunction with the Shriver PeaceWorker Fellowship. In addition, Latisha works for the Choice Program as Fellow in the Jobs sector. Before arriving at UMBC, Latisha worked as a  Country Desk Officer for the United States Peace Corps. Before holding this position, Latisha served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia from 2016-2018. While in Liberia, Latisha taught 11th and 12th grade Biology, and was an active member on Peace Corps Liberia’s Gender Committee. In addition to teaching, Latisha dedicated her time designing and coordinating workshops and events to educate participants on the history and physiological effects of colorism in Liberia, along with public health focused (HIV prevention, reproductive health, health lifestyles, malaria prevention, etc.) youth development workshops. Prior to her service, Latisha worked as a Congressional Intern where her interest was sparked in the subject areas: Diplomacy and Social Policy.

Degrees Earned

BA, History, UMBC; MS, Instructional Design,Towson University; Certificate in Environmental Studies, Johns Hopkins University; Doctorate in Communication Design (D.C.D.) from the University of Baltimore

Biography

Bill Shewbridge is Executive Producer and founding Director of UMBC’s New Media Studio where he focuses on media production, advancing media literacy and exploring new technologies for learning.  Over the past ten years he has focused on documenting Maryland folklife in collaboration with Maryland Traditions, the state’s traditional arts program. He also spearheads the Digital Storytelling initiative at UMBC, which promotes the integration of digital literacy throughout the curriculum through a number of community-based collaborative projects.  Along with Dr. Nicole King in American Studies, Bill directs the Baltimore Traces project, a long-term collaborative teaching innovation that brings together UMBC classes from a variety of disciplines to create media focused on Baltimore residents and neighborhoods. He serves on the advisory board of the International Digital Storytelling conference and on the executive committee of the Paris Ethnografilm Festival.

Degrees Earned

BS, Graphic Design, University of Maryland

Biography

Jennifer is the creative project manager for the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Montgomery College and has over 30 years of experience in the creative industry. Throughout her career she has held the titles of senior graphic designer, art director, creative director, creative services director, and creative project manager. She has worked in web exclusively, as well as in print, radio, and television. She believes that sharing is an art form and that digital stories have profound impact for a just future. She is a storyteller, world traveler, and aspiring poet.

Degrees Earned

BA, St. Mary's College; MA in Literature, American University

Biography

Since 2011, he has taught developmental and credit-level English Composition courses as well as Introduction to Literature, Film and Literature, and The Short Story at Montgomery College. During his time at MC, he has been a Faculty Associate for the E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence professional development organization; a Course Coordinator for ENGL 102, the Critical Reading, Writing, and Research course; a member of the GHI Seminar Abroad to India; and, most recently, a Special Projects Coordinator for the Paul Peck Humanities Institute, an opportunity that ultimately inspired the development of the Digital Storytelling Internship at Montgomery College. Through his role as a co-coordinator of the internship, he has connected with the International Digital Storytelling conference committee and been an active member of the team since 2020.

Degrees Earned

BS, Plant & Soil Science., University of Massachusetts; MS, Human Nutrition, Michigan State University; MPH, Environmental Health Science, University of Maryland

Biography

Sara directs the Paul Peck Humanities Institute (PPHI) at Montgomery College (MC), home to MC's Digital Storytelling Internship Program and DS Community of Practice. Sara also provides leadership for the MC-Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship, a program that encourages faculty to incorporate Smithsonian objects, exhibits and digital tools into their courses. This program continues to promote innovative pedagogy, has trained more than 220 faculty since 1998, and led to more than 25,000 visits to Sarah teaches NUTR101 Intro to Nutrition, and her classes routinely visit Smithsonian museums. She served as Collegewide Chair for Integrative Studies (2016-2022) and Coordinator for MC’s Women Studies Program (2000-2002). She has been awarded MC's Faculty Outstanding Service Award. She is a 2013 Emmy Award-nominated producer, with MCTV's Dan Rankin, for "Blackbird: The Fastest Spy Plane."

Degrees Earned

MEd., Instructional Design Technology, East Stroudsburg University

Biography

Stacy Ford is the Universal Design Center and Accessible Technology Coordinator at Montgomery College in Maryland, responsible for empowering others in breaking down barriers and building inclusive environments through providing professional development, access to tools and resources, and through action research. Her background experience includes music education, marketing, disability services, instructional technology, and change management. She holds a M.Ed. in Instructional Design Technology from East Stroudsburg University.

Degrees Earned

BS, Education, University of Central Florida; MA, Literature, College of Charleston

Biography

Jamie Gillan is an Associate Professor of English at Montgomery College (MC) where she was an Outstanding Faculty Award recipient (2020). In addition to teaching writing, research, and literature, she leads collaborative interdisciplinary projects for the Paul Peck Humanities Institute and co-coordinates the Digital Storytelling Internship. During her time at MC, she supervised the Critical Reading, Writing, and Research course, and served on the Global Humanities Institute (GHI) steering board, representing GHI in China.  Professor Gillan was a 2015 Smithsonian Faculty Fellow, later becoming the MC liaison to the Smithsonian Learning Lab, and now combines museum education with digital storytelling. Before MC, she taught at Trident Technical College, University of Tampa, and St. Petersburg College (Florida). Currently, she is a Jodi Crandall fellow in the Language, Literacy, and Culture doctoral program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, (UMBC) working with UMBC storytellers to launch the Public Stories Lab. Professor Gillan designs workshops, gives presentations, and publishes in education and digital storytelling. She enjoys being an active contributor to the conference committee and the larger international digital storytelling community.

Degrees Earned

AA, in English, Antelope Valley Community College; BA, English, the University of California at Santa Barbara; MA and PhD, Rhetoric and Composition from Washington State University

Biography

Fiona has been the Dean of Communication Studies, English Language for Academic Purposes, and Linguistics Montgomery College since joining Montgomery College in 2020.  She also directs the Paul Peck Humanities Institute; oversees the Germantown Writing, Reading, and Language Center; and directs the Frank Islam Athenaeum Speaker Series. 
A first-generation college student and immigrant to the United States, Dean Glade earned her A.A. in English from Antelope Valley Community College; her B.A. in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara; and her M.A. and her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition from Washington State University. 
Dr. Glade believes passionately in the capacity of higher education to be transformative, and she is proud to work with the students, faculty, and staff at Montgomery College, where her highest priority is to contribute to the college’s commitment to academic excellence, radical inclusion, and lifelong learning, and to support students’ achievement of the goals they have set for their own education pathways.

Degrees Earned

BA, Psychology, the University of California, Davis; MS, Counseling, Johns Hopkins University

Biography

Kristen Roe is the Director of ADA Compliance and Title IX Coordinator for Montgomery College. As a member of the Office of Compliance Risk and Ethics, she manages a portfolio of high risk areas for the College, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements as specified in Federal and State laws. She has also served the College as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator and first Youth Protection Coordinator. Kristen’s portfolio of work is grounded in equity and justice for individuals experiencing harassment, discrimination or other harms. Kristen has a Masters in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University (2010), with an emphasis in school counseling and completed her undergraduate work at the University of California, Davis (B.A. Psychology, 1996). She currently volunteers as a mentor to expectant and parenting college students through Generation Hope.

Degrees Earned

BS, Biological Sciences, Clemson University

Biography

Marlisa is an Education Intern at the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology pursuing a MAT in Museum Education at George Washington University. Paired with a rigorous background in STEM (B.S. Biological Sciences, Clemson University), she has experience with educational programming and research in museums. Marlisa is looking forward to supporting the conference this year with OET!

Biography

Ashleigh D. Coren is the Head of Education for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, a part of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum, where she focuses on collections research, student and teacher programs, and public programming. Her writing has been published in The Journal of American Folklore, Viewfinder: Reflecting Upon Museum Education, and the International Review of African American Art.

Degrees Earned

BA, English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MEd, Special Education, Vanderbilt University

Biography

Ashley Grady is the Senior Program Specialist in the Access Smithsonian office. In this role she oversees the office's public programs, user/expert advisory group, staff and volunteer training, educational partnerships, and community outreach. Ashley is the recipient of the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability's Community Asset Award in 2019. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Ashley was a special education teacher focusing on transition services for young adults. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Education in Special Education from Vanderbilt University.

Degrees Earned

BS, Biology/Spanish, Allegheny College; MA, Digital Heritage, University of Leicester

Biography

Darren Milligan is the Acting Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Educational Technology in Washington, D.C. He specializes in strategy for educational impact through user-centered research and the development of tools and services for making online cultural and scientific heritage resources accessible and useful to educators and learners. His work has included producing educational publications and interactive experiences, such as online games, alternate reality games, and simulations; managing communication and marketing to teachers across the Smithsonian’s museums and research centers; developing methodologies for the creation and dissemination of educationally-relevant metadata; and creating and directing web platforms. Darren currently leads the Smithsonian Learning Lab, an online software platform that encourages the creative and educational reuse of millions of digitized objects from the Smithsonian collection. He also teachers museums and digital media as an adjunct lecturer for the Department of Art and Art History at Georgetown University and writes and speaks regularly on topics related to museum outreach and education.

Degrees Earned

MS, Production, American University

Biography

James Morrison is an award-winning podcast producer. Besides Sidedoor, he's worked on NPR's 1A and iHeartMedia's true crime podcast Hell & Gone. He has a master's in production from American University.

Degrees Earned

BS, African American Studies from UC Berkeley; MS, Library and Information Science from the Catholic University of America

Biography

Kelly Elaine Navies is the Museum Specialist in Oral History for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). As such, she coordinates all aspects of the Oral History Initiative. Navies’ journey as an oral historian began over 30 years ago, when she was an undergraduate in African American Studies at UC Berkeley. At UNC Chapel Hill, she studied and worked with the Southern Oral History Program. She also holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the Catholic University of America, and is VP of the Oral History Association. In addition to her work at the NMAAHC, Navies’ oral history projects can be accessed at the Southern Oral History Program, The Reginald F. Lewis Maryland Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Washington DC Public Library. 

Biography

Lizzie Peabody is the host and senior producer of the Smithsonian’s podcast, Sidedoor. She has taught first person storytelling in the D.C. area for many years, and performed at the Moth GrandSlam, Story District's Top Shelf, and others. Formerly a classroom teacher, her work in audio production began with a personal resolution to interview a new person everyday for a year, an experiment that led her to create her first show, Your Story Here.  

Degrees Earned

PhD, Slavic Folklore and Linguistics, University of Virginia

Biography

Philippa Rappoport is the Lead for Education and Engagement at the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology, a central education office established to lead the Institution’s digital strategy for educational outreach and engagement, and the office behind the award-winning Smithsonian Learning Lab. Her work focuses on developing and producing trainings, programs, and platforms that foster deep learning and contribute knowledge to improve practices in museum and preK-16 education and engagement. She is also the Smithsonian’s liaison for Montgomery College’s Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship program. Philippa has taught Russian, French, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and comparative Slavic/American folklore, and is currently a professorial lecturer in Russian Culture at George Washington University.

Degrees Earned

PhD, Rhetoric and Composition, Texas Christian University

Biography

Brooke Hessler, Ph.D. is a faculty development specialist and scholar in residence at StoryCenternew window. For over 20 years she has been a researcher, professor, and community mentor of digital storytelling, most recently at California College of the Artsnew window and with 826 Valencianew window/Pixar Story Xperiential in San Francisco and with Littleglobenew window in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A Fulbrighter, DaVinci Fellow, and award-winning instructor of media arts-integrated community-engaged programs, she has collaborated with K-16 educators, museum curators, civic activists, and survivors of natural disasters and domestic terrorism–including a 14-year partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial Center. Her writing on digital storytelling can be found in Digital Storytelling in Higher Education: International Perspectives (Palgrave, 2017), How Stories Teach Us (Peter Lang, 2019), and Digital Storytelling: Story Work for Urgent Times (Digital Diner, 2020).

Degrees Earned

BA, Theater and Political Science, University of California at Berkeley

Biography

Born and raised in Texas, Joe has been active in the Bay Area arts community for the last 25 years as an arts activist, producer, administrator, teacher, writer, and director. In 1986, he co-founded Life On The Water, a successful nonprofit production company that served San Francisco's diverse communities. Almost ten years later, with then-wife Nina Mullen and colleague Dana Atchley, Joe founded StoryCenter (formerly the Center for Digital Storytelling). Joe has produced over 500 shows, ranging from theatrical runs and single performances, to citywide festivals and digital story screenings. Prior to his career in the arts, he was trained as a community organizer and assisted in numerous local, statewide, and national public policy campaigns on issues of social justice and economic equity.