Charini Urteaga Named Global Campus Employee of the Year

Photo by Caroline Chandler

Charini Urteaga, center, accepts the Global Campus Employee of the Year 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 year by the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

Urteaga joined the Global Campus in 2015 as an academic technologist. She works with U of A faculty, including those who teach on campus as well as online. She is part of the Learning Technology Support Team, which provides services and tools to faculty who use technology to enhance teaching and learning environments.

The Global Campus recognized Urteaga in August for her exceptional support for faculty who use technology to improve engagement in courses, explain complex course concepts, and enhance outcomes for students online and on campus. She was named the employee of the third quarter in May 2018.

"I'm truly honored" Urteaga said, "This is a reflection on our Learning Technology Support team and the support that we provide for all of our faculty, staff and students at the U of A. We have some wonderful people in our team, and I absolutely love working with them."

The Learning Technology Support Team helps faculty use technology to achieve strategic pedagogical goals that enhance overall course design and foster student success. Technologists find solutions and offer on-demand, on-site support with all types of technology, including Blackboard Learn, the U of A online learning management system used in on-campus and online courses.

"Charini is a talented and skilled problem-solver whose service-orientation exemplifies Global Campus's support mission," said Donald Judges, vice provost for distance education and head of the Global Campus.

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.

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 the TIPS Center in Gibson Annex weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and at TIPS Underground at the Global Campus, 2 E. Center St.

The Global Campus awards the employee of the year 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 year were Shelly Walters, Kaleb Futch and Alicia Estes.

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