The School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) at the University of Missouri (MU) equipped me with the skills and leadership to design, develop, and implement technology-driven solutions that enhance teaching and learning in secondary and post-secondary classrooms.

The Education Specialist (Ed.Sp.) degree provided a strong foundation in instructional technology, emphasizing the design of engaging, interactive online learning experiences using learning management systems (LMS), web development, and streaming video. The hybrid curriculum allowed me to merge my growing expertise in instructional technology and media design with my passion for teaching and foreign language instruction.

I had the privilege of working with mentors who challenged me to refine my web and media projects, fostering resourcefulness, independence, and a service-oriented mindset. Their guidance deepened my understanding of how technology and media can enrich world language instruction.

As a founding member and first Vice President of SISLT’s student-run Digital Media Club, I played a key role in organizing the club’s first digital media expo in 2004—an event that allowed SISLT students to showcase their educational technology projects alongside industry vendors demonstrating real-world products.

While instructional media and technology have evolved significantly since 2004, the technical problem-solving skills and innovative mindset I developed in the Ed.Sp. program remain invaluable in my work today.