Nate Carnes, Interim Director

Nate Carnes is the Interim Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. In addition to three education degrees and a permanent Ohio teaching certificate, he earned his Ph.D. in Education Administration with an emphasis in science education at Miami University (OH). His teaching performances, that span more than 40 years, have resulted in awards and citations of teaching excellence at the University of South Carolina, state, regional and international levels. Among these citations, he is the recipient of the prestigious 2007 ASTE Science Teacher Educator of the Year, a recognition of international distinction; South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education 2018 Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence; and the College of Education 2011 Lee Maidment Spirit of Service awards. His scholarly activities explore pedagogical issues and innovations within and beyond science education.

Aisha Haynes, Assistant Director

Aisha Haynes is the Assistant Director at the USC Center for Teaching Excellence. She oversees the CTE’s Instructional Design team. Haynes is a certified Quality Matters Peer and Master Reviewer and has earned Online Teaching certifications from the Online Learning Consortium. She teaches an online Computer Applications in Business course for Palmetto College. Her research interests include: instructional design in online learning environments, online course accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and collaboration and engagement in online learning environments.  Haynes is active on state and national committees related to instructional design, online learning, and accessibility. 

Karen Edwards, Faculty Mentor

Karen Edwards is a senior instructor in the Department of Retailing, where she teaches retail- and law-related courses in both online and face-to-face formats. Edwards is certified by Quality Matters to review and assess the quality of online courses offered by higher education institutions. She earned her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. She is a frequent presenter and past Associate Director for Distributed Learning Pedagogy at USC's Center for Teaching Excellence. Edwards is a faculty mentor for the Center for Teaching Excellence.

Stephanie Milling, Faculty Mentor

Stephanie Milling is a faculty mentor for the Center for Teaching Excellence. She is the Head of Dance Education in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Originally from Texas, Milling left home at fourteen to attend the Walnut Hill School for the Performing and Visual Arts and graduated with honors in dance. Milling also completed her pre-professional training at prestigious programs such as the Boston Ballet School, the Houston Ballet Academy, and Les Grands Ballets Canadians in Montreal, Canada. Since her performing career, she has taught in a wide variety of artistic and educational environments, including company classes for Dallas Black Dance Theatre I and II, several public schools within the New York City Department of Education, Texas Christian University, Texas Woman’s University, and the University of North Texas. She also served in the capacity of Assistant Dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Winthrop University prior to her appointment at the University of South Carolina.

Gloria Washington, Instructional Designer

Gloria Washington is an instructional designer at the Center for Teaching Excellence with 24 years of experience in higher education at the University of South Carolina. She serves as a co-chair for the Provost Advisory Committee for Women Initiatives (PACWI). She is a Blackboard Certified Trainer and a Blackboard Exemplary Course Program Reviewer. Washington completed the Quality Matters’ Applying the QM Rubric and Higher Education Peer Reviewer courses. Before coming to CTE, she worked in Teaching and Technology Services and as a Technology Director for the Ted Mimms Foreign Language Learning Center. Washington serves as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Innovative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. She is the President-Elect of the Association for Distance Education and Independent Learning (ADEIL). Washington also authors the blog, Pedagogy Before Technology. She holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Business Administration. Her expertise is in the pedagogical use of technology to support teaching and learning. Her instructional design philosophy is “pedagogy first, technology second.”

Casey Carroll, Instructional Designer

Casey Carroll is an instructional designer with the Center for Teaching Excellence at USC. Carroll works with all who teach to support the creation of innovative and accessible courses and the continued development of teaching skills. He also works with instructors teaching online to help with course design and learning technologies. Prior to joining CTE, Carroll designed curriculum for professional training and leadership development. He has also taught First-Year English and English as a Second Language at the University of South Carolina. Carroll holds a master’s degree in linguistics from USC and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and psychology from Pacific Lutheran University. 

Michelle Hardee, Program Manager

Michelle Hardee is the Program Manager for all graduate student Teaching Assistant training at the University. Hardee is responsible for developing the CTE’s graduate TA/IA training seminars, developing and teaching the GRAD 701 Teaching Assistant Development course required of all new TA/IAs, and helping students progress through the Preparing Future Faculty Program. She regularly coordinates with the Graduate School and other university academic partners on graduate student professional development workshops and events. Hardee received her B.S. in Zoology at Texas A&M in 1995, an M.S. in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston’s Grice Marine Laboratory, and her Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Hardee teaches the Honors section of the Marine Science Program’s Oceans and Society course every semester.

Helena Johnson, Web and Multimedia Developer

Helena Johnson is CTE's Web and Multimedia Developer. She is responsible for developing, editing, and delivering information about the Center's programs and services through Internet-based communications, multimedia, and print. With degrees in Media Arts and Computer Programming, Johnson began her career in corporate communications. Prior to joining CTE, she worked for creative and production companies as a producer and writer. 

Sharon Flenniken, Administrative Coordinator  

Sharon Flenniken is the Administrative Coordinator for the Center of Teaching Excellence. She is coordinates the general administrative activities for CTE. She is responsible for maintaining the databases regarding CTE events, activities and assist in preparation of reports and other informational documentation. She also serves as the hiring manager and Human Resources liaison for CTE and, in coordination with the Director, manages and monitors the CTE budget.

Prior to joining the University of South Carolina and CTE, Flenniken earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and her Master’s in Business Administration degrees from Southern Wesleyan University. She has 13 years of experience in Accounting, Financial Reporting and Office Administration.