What Do We Do?

The Office for Teaching, Learning and Assessment supports teaching and learning at DePaul by disseminating practical information about and research on teaching and learning; providing services, resources and events focused on best practices in teaching; enhancing student learning through Supplemental Instruction and other collaborative learning programs; supporting DePaul’s faculty, departments and programs, liberal studies domains, and schools and colleges in the assessment of student learning; conducting studies that advance our understanding of student learning at DePaul; and working to ensure that the University’s assessment process meets the expectations of our regional accrediting body.

Who Are We?

Katherine Cermak, Interim Director Katherine joined Academic Affairs at DePaul in 2002, and has worked in number of different capacities including supporting Academic Program Review and preparations for the university’s accreditation visit in 2007. From July 2007—June 2009 Katherine held the position of Associate Director in the Office for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment with her primary focus being the assessment of student learning. Katherine holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and has conducted research on student retention and graduation in higher education.
Elizabeth Rossman, Program Director, Supplemental Instruction (SI) Elizabeth has been with DePaul University in different capacities since 2003. After completing an M.A. in Writing, she joined the university as Assistant Director of the Office for Teaching, Learning and Assessment. Since then, she has earned a second M.A. in New Media Studies and gone on to serve as Program Director for the Supplemental Instruction program.
Breanna Adams, Graduate Student Manager, Supplemental Instruction Breanna started graduate school at DePaul University this fall for her MA in Human Services and Counseling. She received her BS in 2007 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Human Development and Family Studies, and before starting the Graduate Student Manager Position she taught preschool for a year and served as a manager for mentors and mentees in the program Mentoring Connections.
Todd Diemer, Teaching Commons Program Manager Todd comes to Chicago from Bloomington, Indiana where he received a degree in telecommunications from Indiana University. From 2006 to 2008 he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa teaching computer and media literacy. Todd is also a graduate student at DePaul University studying Human Computer Interaction.
Heather A. Banas, Graduate Videographer Heather is a freelance screenwriter, cinematographer and editor. She is currently pursuing her MS and hopefully MFA in Digital Cinema at DePaul's College of Computing and Digital Medial. She has a BFA in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production from the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago.
Andrea Klein , Office Manager Andrea is in her second year of study at DePaul University for her M Ed in Human Services and Counseling. After receiving her BA in Criminology and Women Studies in 2002 from the University of New Mexico, she worked for a not-for-profit agency serving developmentally delayed/disabled children and adults. In 2007 she decided it was time for a change of scenery and made the move to Chicago to pursue graduate school.