Charini Urteaga Named Global Campus Employee of the Quarter

Photo by Caroline Chandler

Charini Urteaga (center) accepts the Global Campus Employee of the Quarter award from Donald Judges, vice provost for distance education, and Jamie Loftin, assistant vice provost for distance education administration.

Charini Urteaga has been named employee of the third quarter by the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

Urteaga won the award for her exceptional service and support to U of A faculty who teach online and on campus. Urteaga, who joined the Global Campus in 2015, is an academic technologist on the Learning Technology Support Team.

Academic technologists help faculty use technology to achieve strategic pedagogical goals that enhance course design, learning engagement and student success. Technologists offer on-demand, on-site support to help faculty with all types of technology, including Blackboard Learn, the U of A online learning management system used in on-campus and online courses.

"I'm honored to be a part of Global Campus." Urteaga said. "I love my job, and I love the people I work with. We communicate really well as a team, and that reflects on our customer support."

A co-worker nominated Urteaga for the award, saying Urteaga is quick to offer help when problems arise. Urteaga's dedication to providing top-quality technology support to faculty exemplifies the Global Campus's commitment advancing innovative teaching and learning.

"Problem-solving is what our academic technologists do," said Donald Judges, vice provost for distance education. "They go to faculty, meeting them in their offices or on campus or by phone, and give them the support they need to use technology to achieve classroom learning objectives. They fix problems. It means going above and beyond."

The Learning Technology Support team consists of academic technologists, student engagement specialists, Blackboard support, and a faculty development coordinator. Shelly Walters, associate director of Instructional Design and Support Services, leads the team.

Team members work with faculty to integrate "clickers," which are hand-held devices students use in large on-campus classes to respond to faculty. They set up technology check-up stations to help on-campus students prepare for new semesters. They also work with U of A Information Technology Services to answer "help desk" questions from students and faculty.

Faculty can find more assistance through the Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support website, which is provided through a partnership between the Teaching and Faculty Support Center, IT Services, and Global Campus. Faculty also can visit the support team in Gibson Annex weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Global Campus awards the employee of the quarter honor to recognize outstanding achievement and accomplishments that relate to the unit's goals and the U of A mission. The other nominees for the employee of the third quarter were Caroline Chandler and Barry Sawyer.

The award winner receives a commemorative certificate and a monetary award.