About Us
Staff Bios
Leadership
Jeff McCall, M.S., Associate Director for the Center for Academic Technologies
Bio: Jeff has worked at CSUMB since 2002 as an Instructional Technologist and Lecturer in Computer Science, and an Associate Director. He earned his M.S. in Management of Information Technology in 2005. Through these pursuits, Jeff has a gained perspective on integrating technology into teaching and learning. Now as the Associate Director of the Center for Academic Technologies, he has the honor of guiding strategy to improve faculty and student success. At home, he likes to tinker with old cars, build drones, and hike the sierras.
Digital Accessibility
Cassandra Eccles, M.S., Accessible Technology Coordinator
Bio: Cassandra has been with CSUMB for over a decade, growing from an undergraduate student to a lecturer and Accessible Technology Coordinator. She earned her B.S. in Communication Design in 2016 and her M.S. in Instructional Science & Technology in 2018. She created the first alumni mentorship program of its kind on campus, Otter Design Mentors, which connects alumni with design students to help guide them from their first design courses to their first jobs after graduation. Her hobbies include fostering kittens, baking, and spending time with family.
Luz Española, M.S., Accessibility Specialist, luzespanola@csumb.edu
Bio: Luz Española joined the Center of Academic technologies in 2019 as an Instructional Designer and then accepted the Accessibility Specialist position. She has served at CSUMB since 2013. Luz has helped transition the campus from iLearn to Canvas, supported faculty moving their courses online, applied technology to advance administrative efforts in Student Affairs, creating digital processes and facilitating training for students and staff. Her educational background is homegrown, earning a Master’s of Science in Instructional Science and Technology from CSU, Monterey Bay and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Legal Studies) from CSU, Chico. She also teaches for the School of Social, Behavioral and Global Studies. When she is not working, Luz enjoys do it yourself home projects, Sci-Fi movies, keeping up with her dogs and finding inspiring stories of humanity.
Instructional Design Team
Chris Beem, M.S., Senior Instructional Designer
Bio: Chris has been a lecturer at CSUMB in the Master’s in Instructional Science and Technology program since 2012 and a full-time Instructional Designer since 2013. He previously worked as an editor and technology project manager at CTB/McGraw-Hill, National Geographic School Publishing, and Cengage. He has his B.A. in Biology from UCSC and M.S. from CSU Monterey Bay. His hobbies include music, juggling, and advanced napping.
Richie Cobb, M.S., Instructional Technologist
Bio: Richie has worked at CSUMB since 2018 as an Equipment Systems Specialist, Software Services Consultant, Instructional Designer, and is currently the Instructional Technologist. He earned his Master’s in Instructional Science and Technology from CSUMB in 2018. He is currently a lecturer in the School of Computing and Design at CSUMB.
Laura Otero, Ph.D., Online Education Coordinator
Bio: Laura Otero has over a decade of experience in the field of online education. She has worked in admissions, student support, online education administration, IT training, and staff and faculty development. She earned her B.A. at CSU Monterey Bay, her M.S. at CSU East Bay, and her Ph.D. at the University of the Cumberlands. Her research interests include AI in higher education, instructional technology leadership, and online teaching and learning. She also teaches for the School of Computing and Design in the Communication Design and Instructional Science and Technology programs. She enjoys writing, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Heather Rougeot, M.S., Instructional Designer
Bio: Heather has over a decade of experience in higher education working in program coordination, admissions, and faculty and student support. She has worked at CSUMB since 2015, was one of the university’s founding students, and earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies and her M.S. in Instructional Science & Technology here. She enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her dogs and family.