Higher Education Innovation Fund Grant
Faculty and Staff Participate in Project to Address Issues of Equity and Inclusion
In summer 2024, 26 Springfield College faculty and staff participated in a Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Facilitated through the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship (CETLS), HEIF supported cross-campus collaborations among Springfield Technical Community College, Holyoke Community College, Berkshire Community College, and Westfield State University. Joan Giovannini, former associate director of CETLS, served as campus lead, and Chris Hakala, PhD, director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship, worked on the initial contract with STCC. The project focused on strategies to address issues of equity and inclusion that emphasized fostering relationship-rich education, humanizing teaching practices, transparency in teaching and learning, and equity skills training. The grant culminated in each participant creating a focused action plan. Faculty stipends were $1,350 each for participating and creating a final action plan.
Other Springfield College faculty and staff who participated in the project include:
Gemma Bartha, MS, Instructor of Biology
Debra Burnett, PhD, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Chair of the Department of Public Health and Health Professions
Matthew Citron, MA, Instructional Designer in the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship
Kenny Dalton, Accessibility Coordinator
Jennifer Dashiell-Shoffner, LPC, PCP, Counselor
Sean DeMartino, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Counseling Psychology PsyD Program
Brianna Dickens, Associate Director of the Academic Success Center: Disability and Accessibility Services
Latasha R. Dionne, OTD, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Matthew Ferrari, PhD, Assistant Director for Research and Educational Development
Jill Giebutowski, MS, Assistant Professor of Writing and Writing Program Director
Shannon Gifford, EdD, Professor of Health Education
Sally Hage, PhD, Professor of Psychology
LeThuy Hoang, PhD, Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Jill Kochanek, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Director of the Athletic Leadership Master’s Program
Rebecca Lartigue, PhD, Professor of English and Honors Program Director
Erin Leeper, Director of Non-Discrimination Initiatives and Title IX Administrator & 504 Coordinator
David McMahon, Director of Spiritual Life
Scott McNeil, OTD, MS, OTR, CAPS, Professor of Occupational Therapy, Program Director, Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy
Michelle Moosbrugger, PhD, Professor of Physical Education, Chair of the Department of Physical Education and Health Education
Kathleen Neville, EdD, Associate Professor, Program Director for Educational Leadership
Sue Nowlan, Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Whitney Osborn, DPT, PT, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Dominique Shabazz, DSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of Practicum Education
Deja Ware, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
