Stephanie Richter

Director of Teaching Excellence and Support
ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar


Responsibilities

Stephanie provides leadership on professional development and instructional support for faculty, instructors, teaching staff, and teaching assistants.

Education

  • Ph.D., Instructional Technology, Northern Illinois University, (in progress)
  • MS.Ed., Instructional Technology, Northern Illinois University, 2006
  • B.S., Mathematics Education, Northern Illinois University, 2003
  • Member, Blackboard Community Leadership Circle governance board (2020-present)
  • Leader and Founder, Chicago-Area Blackboard User Group, ChiA-BUG (2018-present)
  • Peer Reviewer and APPQMR Facilitator, Quality Matters (2015-present)
  • Member, Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network (2014-present)
  • Member, Zeta Gamma chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars (2014 – present)
  • Steering Committee Member, BbWorld Conference (2019-2022)
  • Steering Committee Member and Co-Chair of Presenter Services, 2021 Online Learning Consortium Innovate Conference (2020-2021)
  • Officer At Large, POD Network Teaching with Technology Special Interest Group (2016-2019)
  • Steering Committee Member and NIU Campus Coordinator, Faculty Summer Institute (2013-2019)
  • Faculty Member, Leadership & Mentoring Institute, sponsored by the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (2012, 2014, 2017)
  • Anthology Exemplary Course Award in recognition of innovative and engaging course design and development for NIU ETRA online course, ETR 531 - Program Evaluation in Education, 2023
  • Board of Trustees Staff Award in recognition of excellent job performance and contributions to NIU and higher education, as well as commitment to NIU’s mission, vision and values, 2023
  • Supportive Professional Staff Award for Advocacy from the NIU Supportive Professional Staff Council in recognition of in recognition of advocating for policies and practices that helped create a positive environment for students, faculty and/or staff, 2022
  • Exemplary Advocate Award from the NIU Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities in recognition of an outstanding record of service and/or leadership to persons with disabilities for the current academic year, as demonstrated through leadership in the rollout of Blackboard Ally, 2022
  • ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar in recognition of completing ACUE Effective Teaching Practices Program and being recognized with the ACUE credential in Effective College Instruction, 2022
  • Blackboard Hall of Fame Award, in recognition of providing thought leadership, innovation, and enabling and empowering the Blackboard Community, 2020
  • Supportive Professional Staff Presidential Award for Excellence from the NIU Supportive Professional Staff Council in recognition of outstanding contributions to NIU and the Supportive Professional Staff, 2020
  • Certificate of Recognition of Excellence, Supportive Professional Staff Council, 2016
  • Certificate of Recognition of Excellence, Supportive Professional Staff Council, 2015
  • Certificate of Recognition of Excellence, Supportive Professional Staff Council, 2014
  • Best Presentation Award, International Conference on Educational and Information Technology, 2014
  • SLATE Star Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions and dedicated service to SLATE - Supporting Learning And Technology in Education, Midwest Blackboard User's Group, 2014
  • Blackboard Key to the Community Award in recognition of outstanding service in sharing best practices with other institutions using Blackboard, 2013
  • Certificate of Recognition of Excellence, Supportive Professional Staff Council, 2011

Refereed Journal Articles

Richter, S., Rhode, J., Arado, T., & Parks, M. (2021). Principles for conducting a comprehensive LMS review. The Community College Enterprise, 27(2), 89-94.

Rhode, J., Richter, S., Gowen, P., Miller, T. & Wills, C. (2017). Understanding faculty use of the learning management systemOnline Learning, 21(3), 68-86. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v21i3.1217

Cowan, J., Richter, S., Miller, T., Rhode, J., Click, A., & Underwood, J. (2017). Building a sustainable Quality MattersTM community of practice through social network analysis. The American Journal of Distance Education, 31(3), 160-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2017.1316154

Rhode, J., Richter, S., & Miller, T. (2017). Designing personalized online teaching professional development through self-assessment. TechTrends, 61(5), 444-451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-017-0211-3

Rhode, J., Richter, S., Gowen, P., & Krishnamurthi, M. (2015). Measuring digital professional development: Analytics for the use of web and social mediaJournal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 7(1), 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-02-2014-0023

Richter, S., & Krishamurthi, M. (2014). Preparing faculty for teaching a MOOC: Recommendations from research and experience. International Journal of Information and Education Technology. 4(5), 411-415. 

Conference Publications and Project Reports

Cowan, J., Click, A., Richter, S., Rhode, J., & Underwood, J. (2015). Social network analysis as a design-based research tool in deploying university-wide online quality course standards. Proceedings of the 2015 AECT Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 3-7, 2015.

Richter, S. (2013). A comparison of learning in MOOC and large-lecture settings. Proceedings of the 2013 AECT Convention, Anaheim, California, October 30-November 2, 2013. 

Richter, S. (2013). Design and development of a MOOC: The value of a collaborative process. Proceedings of the 2013 AECT Convention, Anaheim, California, October 30-November 2, 2013. 

Draper, D., Keesling, D., Weas, L. D., Latham, C., & Richter, S. (2013). Transformation of experience: Students and faculty reflections of experiential learning. Proceedings of the 2013 AECT Convention, Anaheim, California, October 30-November 2, 2013. 

Krishnamurthi, M. & Richter, S. (2013). Charting your course: Visualization techniques to enhance teaching. Proceedings of the 2013 International Academic Conference on Education, Teaching, E-Learning, Prague, Czech Republic, October 17-18, 2013.

Krishnamurthi, M., & Richter, S. (2013). Promoting STEM education through mobile teaching and learning. Proceedings of the Mobile Learning 2013 Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, March 14-16, 2013. 

Krishnamurthi, M., & Richter, S. (2012). A framework for transforming faculty development to promote mobile teaching and learning. Proceedings of the 2012 Asian Conference on Education Official Conference Proceedings, Tokyo, Japan, October 24-28, 2012, (pp. 326-336). 

Daudi, S., Richter, S., & Krishnamurthi, M. (2010). Integrating No Child Left Inside (NCLI) Within the Framework of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Final Report for the project, “Training Teachers to Promote NCLI within NCLB to Promote Environmental Education,” funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, Illinois.

Conference Presentations

Richter, S., Strunk, M., Taylor, M., Holt, M. (2022, July). Ultra is coming… Now what?. Presented at 2022 Anthology Together, Orlando, FL.

Davis, L., & Richter, S. (2022, July). Increase technology adoption with lessons drawn from research. Presented at 2022 Anthology Together, Orlando, FL.

Rhode, J., Parks, M., & Richter, S. (2021, October). Should I stay or should I go? Conducting a thorough LMS review at your institution. Presented at Educause Conference 2021, Virtual.

Cabrera, D., Rhode, J., Richter, S., & Smothers, A. (2021, October). The ethics of online teaching. Presented at 2021 Making Excellence Inclusive RISE Conference, Virtual

Rhode, J., & Richter, S. (2021, October). Should I stay or should I go? Conducting a thorough LMS review at your institution. Presented at InstructureCon 2021, Virtual.

Rhode, J., & Richter, S., & Arado, T. (2021, July). Should I stay or should I go? Conducting a thorough LMS review at your institution. Presented at Online Learning Consortium Accelerate 2021, Virtual.

Rhode, J., & Richter, S. (2021, July). Should I stay or should I go? Conducting a thorough LMS review at your institution. Presented at BbWorld 21, Virtual.

Richter, S., Underwood, J., Staggs, S., Agneberg, C., & Landers, S. (2021, July). Reaching New Learners with Blackboard Training and Development Manager. Presented at BbWorld 21, Virtual.

Richter, S. (2021, May). Rebooting our approach to assessment. Presented at FSI 2021, Virtual.

Richter, S., Holt, M., Strunk, M., & Taylor, M. (2020, July). Navigating multiple galaxies: Lessons from dual deployment of original and ultra course views. Presented at BbWorld 20, Virtual.​

Miller, T., Piercy, R., & Richter, S. (2020, June). When the bridge is the destination: The sweet spot between faculty development and instructional design. Presented at Online Learning Consortium Innovate 2020, Virtual.

Rhode, J., Richter, S., & Miller, T. (2020, June). Evolving teaching and learning center support for online and distance learning. Presented at Online Learning Consortium Innovate 2020, Virtual

Rhode, J., Richter, S., Underwood, J., & Miller, T. (2020, February). Changing landscape of online teaching and instructional design support. Presented at Summit for Online Leadership and Administration + Roundtable, New Orleans, LA.

Richter, S., Rhode, J., & Miller, T. (2019, November). Teaching and learning center support for online and distance learning. Presented at POD Network 2019, Pittsburgh, PA.

Richter, S. (2019, July). What we learned from our Ultra pilot. Presented at BbWorld 2019, Austin, TX.

Richter, S., & Strunk, M. (2019, July). The road to Ultra: Preparation, communication, and support. Presented at BbWorld 2019, Austin, TX.

Richter, S. (2019, May). Free software tools for teaching and learning. Presented at FSI: At the Intersection of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, Urbana, IL.

Richter, S., Rhode, J. (2018, July). From self-hosted to SaaS: A roadmap for success. Presented at BbWorld 2018, Orlando, FL.

Richter, S. (2018, May). Leading successful virtual class sessions. Presented at 2018 Faculty Summer Institute, Urbana, IL.

Richter, S., Miller, T., & Rhode, J. (2018, April). Visualizing online teaching community development. Presented at OLC Innovate 2018, Nashville, TN.

Miller, T., Richter, S., & Rhode, J. (2018, April). Preparing to teach an online course at the last minute. Presented at OLC Innovate 2018, Nashville, TN.

Richter, S., Bergeron, C., Dulak, J., & Patterson, T. (2017, July). Leveraging Blackboard solutions for program assessment: Four perspectives. Presented at BbWorld 2017, New Orleans, LA.

Richter, S., Gowen, P., & Rhode, J. (2017, July). Digging deeper: Discovering how and why faculty use Blackboard Learn. Presented at BbWorld 2017, New Orleans, LA.

Richter, S. (2017, May). Humanizing your online course. Presented at the 2017 Faculty Summer Institute, Urbana, IL.

Richter, S. & Gonzalez, E. (2017, May). Learning from the learning management system. Presented at the 2017 Faculty Summer Institute, Urbana, IL.

Richter, S., Miller, T., & Rhode, J. (2017, April). Analyzing faculty motivation for using the learning management system. Presented at the 2017 Online Learning Consortium Innovate Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Richter, S. (2016, November). Using social network analysis to assess organizational development initiatives. Presented at the 2016 POD Network Conference, Louisville, KY.

Richter, S., & Rhode, J. (2016, July). The Blackboard Portfolio Tool: Features, uses, and campus-wide implementation process. Presented at BbWorld 2016, Las Vegas, NV.

Rhode, J., & Richter, S. (2016, July). Blackboard Collaborate: Strategies and considerations for institutional adoption. Presented at BbWorld 2016, Las Vegas, NV.

Richter, S. (2016, May). Managing the online teaching workload. Presented at the 2016 Faculty Summer Institute, Urbana, IL.

Richter, S. & Miller, T. (2015, November). Beyond APPQMR: Providing customized training on quality online design and delivery. Presented at the 7th Annual Quality Matters Conference on Quality Assurance in Online Learning, San Antonio, TX.

Richter, S. & Miller, T. (2015, November). A community of quality: Using social network analysis to study university-wide implementation of QM. Presented at the 7th Annual Quality Matters Conference on Quality Assurance in Online Learning, San Antonio, TX.

Richter, S., Miller, T., Click, A., Cowan, J. (2015, October). Visualizing community through social network analysis. Presented at the 13th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL.

Miller, T., Rhode, J., & Richter, S. (2015, October). An online teaching readiness self-assessment to guide faculty in a personalized framework of professional development. Presented at the 13th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL.

Richter, S. & Wills, C. (2015, October). Microcredentialing: Recognizing student learning with digital badges. Presented at the 13th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL

Johal, N., Cohen, C., Kunnen, E., Mitkos, A., & Richter, S. (2015, July). Enhancing the strategic importance of online learning. Panel presented at BbWorld 2015, National Harbor, MD.

Richter, S. & Wills, C. (2015, May). Microcredentialing: Recognizing student learning with digital badges. Presented at the 2015 Faculty Summer Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Richter, S., Cabrera, D., & Wills, C. (2015, May). Getting HIP with technology: Tools for high impact practices. Presented at the 2015 Faculty Summer Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Richter, S. (2014, November). Leverage analytics to improve online and social media professional development. Presented at the 2014 POD Network Conference, Dallas, TX.

Richter, S. & Gowen, P. (2014, October). Measuring digital professional development: Analytics for the use of web and social media materials. Presented at the 12th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL.

Long, G. & Richter, S. (2014, July). Making massive meaningful: Changing perceptions about disability with a MOOC. Presented at BbWorld 2014, Las Vegas, NV.

Richter, S. (2014, May). Teaching with infographics. Presented at the 2014 Faculty Summer Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Richter, S., Brown, A., Thurber, B., and Pearson, R. (2013, October). MOOC design from a student perspective. Presented at the 11th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL.

Richter, S., Rhode, J. & Miller, T. (2013, October). Designing and developing a MOOC: Lessons from experience. Presented at the 11th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL.

Richter, S. & Rhode, J. (2013, July). Lessons from tacos and pizza: The importance of 24/7 access for students. Presented at BbWorld 2013, Las Vegas, NV.

Rhode, J. & Richter, S. (2013, July). Offering online professional development for faculty using a cross-platform strategy. Presented at BbWorld 2013, Las Vegas, NV.

Richter, S. (2012, October). Learn anytime, anywhere: Designing mobile-friendly courses. Presented at the 10th Annual SLATE Conference, Naperville, IL.

Richter, S.  (2012, May). A classroom in your pocket: An introduction to mobile learning. Presented at the 2012 Faculty Summer Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Richter, S.  (2012, May). Amaze and inspire with Prezi. Presented at the 2012 Faculty Summer Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Richter, S.  (2012, May). Using quick response (QR) codes for mobile learning. Presented at the 2012 Faculty Summer Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Conlon, C., Rhode, J., Richter, S., Urban, O. (2011, October). LMS upgrade: A roadmap for successful implementation. Presented at the 9th Annual SLATE Conference, Chicago, IL.

Richter, S. (2011, July). The freedom to choose: Simulcasts with Wimba Classroom. Presented at the Blackboard Collaborate Connections Summit, Las Vegas, NV.

Richter, S. (2011, May). Simple PowerPoint tricks to improve learning. Presented at the 2011 Faculty Summer Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Richter, S.  (2011, May). Amaze and inspire with emerging presentation tools. Presented at the 2011 Faculty Summer Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Richter, S. (2010, October).  The freedom to choose: Simulcast workshops through the Wimba Classroom.  Presented at the 8th Annual SLATE Conference, Chicago, IL.

Rhode, J. F. & Richter, S. L. (2009, October). Blogger beware: Teaching with blogs best practices. Presented at the 7th Annual SLATE Conference, Chicago, IL

Posters and Exhibits

Rhode, J. & Richter, S. (2021, October). Should I stay or should I go? Conducting an LMS Review at Your Institution. Poster presented at the 2021 UPCEA Regions Week, Virtual.

Rhode, J., Richter, S., & Subramony, R. (2017, October). Assessing learning outcomes using Blackboard technologies. Poster presented at the 2017 Assessment Institute, Indianapolis, IN.

Miller, T., Richter, S., & Rhode, J. (2016, November). Designing personalized online teaching professional development through self-assessment. Poster presented at the 2016 POD Network Conference, Louisville, KY.

Long, G., Richter, S., & Miller, T. (2014, July). Perspectives on Disability MOOC. Poster presented at the 2014 Blackboard World Educational Technology Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Rhode, J. & Richter, S. (2013, July). Cross-platform strategy for staff development. Poster preseted at the 2013 Blackboard World Educational Technology Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Invited Presentations

Richter, S. (2022, November). Humanizing online teaching. Presented for Kishwaukee Community College, Malta, IL.

Richter, S. (2021, May). Student-centered assessment. Presented virtually for the Carl Sandburg College TechConnect 2021, Galesburg, IL.

Richter, S., & Strunk, M. (2019, October). The road to Ultra: Preparation, communication, and support. Presented virtually for the Michigan Blackboard User Group.

Richter, S. (2019, May). Free technologies for teaching. Presented for Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL.

Richter, S. (2019, May). Using evidence-based practices in online teaching. Presented for Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL.

Richter, S., & Wills, C. (2017, December). Leading online sessions: Tips for engaging webinars. Presented virtually for the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois.

Richter, S. & Johnson, Y., & Rhode, J. (2017, November). Using Blackboard Portfolios. Presented virtually for the College of Professional and Continuing Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA.

Richter, S. (2017, September). Online portfolio assessment and learning. Presented virtually for the Columbia Southern Education Group, Orange Beach, AL.

Richter, S. (2017, August). Online portfolio assessment and learning. Presented virtually as part of the Keiser University Graduate School Teaching and Learning Committee Education Technology Seminar Series, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Richter, S., & Miller, T. (2017, August). Authentic learning: Experiential and inquiry-based learning in online and blended courses. Presented virtually for the POD Network Teaching with Technology Special Interest Group.

Richter, S. (2017, July). Enhancing student learning utilizing technology. Presented at the 2017 American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Leadership and Mentoring Institute, Miles College, Birmingham, AL.

Richter, S. (2017, January). Delivering engaging web conferencing sessions. Presented for the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management Faculty Academy.

Richter, S. (2014, July). Enhancing student learning utilizing technology. Presented at the 2014 American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Leadership and Mentoring Institute, Miles College, Birmingham, AL.

Richter, S. (2012, July). Enhancing student learning utilizing technology. Presented at the 2012 American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Leadership and Mentoring Institute, Miles College, Birmingham, AL.

  • Adobe Creative Educator, Level 2, 2024
  • Adobe Creative Educator, Level 1, 2023
  • Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Institute for Emerging Leaders in Online Learning, 2016
  • Quality Matters Applying the QM Rubric Workshop Facilitator, 2015
  • Quality Matters Peer Reviewer, 2014
  • NIU LGBTQ+ Ally, 2013

Applause

The following comments from NIU faculty were shared through NIU Today Applaud a Colleague:

"Stephanie is an absolutely amazing mentor! With her patience, perseverance, kindness, and methodical instructions, I was able to navigate from Blackboard Original to Blackboard Ultra. This task had caused me some anxiety, but with her expertise and directives, I find myself well on the way to being able to set up my courses. THANK YOU, Stephanie!" (January 7, 2024)

"Stephanie is so knowledgeable and dedicated; she makes a great leader!" (June 9, 2022)

"Stephanie has extended significant support to the LEPF Superintendent Preparation Program time and time again. Her willingness to provide expertise and templates for our admissions and internship portfolio processes are indicative of the backbone behind the program. She has been extremely responsive, supportive and dependable. What a team member! Thanks for all your help. We value you, Stephanie!" (March 23, 2022)

"Stephanie excels in one on one mentoring in addition to working with the programs her office provides. Recently she helped me recover my inadvertent deletion of a robust Bb-Content Folder. I also want her to be acknowledged here for the 2020 SPS Presidential Award for Excellence that was not well-publicized at the time but perennially deserved." (February 1, 2021)

Stephanie Richter

Contact

Stephanie Richter
Email: srichter@niu.edu
Phone: 815-753-0614
Office: AC110

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ACUE Credentialed Educator

NIU Ally

Blackboard Community Leadership Circle

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