Dr. Jill Perry, Director

Dr. Jill Perry began as Director of the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in August 2022. She is a teacher educator, mathematics educator, and mathematics education researcher who joined the faculty of Rowan University in 2001. Currently an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, she earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a Mathematics Cognate from the University of Central Florida in 2001 after having taught high school mathematics in Florida.

Jill is an educator – both by profession and at her core. She brings to the Center 25 years’ experience in K-20 educator professional development in curriculum development and enactment, instructional design, pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, and research methodologies. She also brings a commitment to inclusivity and social justice, and works purposefully to relearn, think, question, and act in more responsive and responsible ways as an educator and human.

Her scholarship is focused on the character of and interplay among students’ mathematical communications, intentionalities, and identities within learning-teaching routines in secondary-level mathematics classrooms.

In her spare time, Jill likes to read, doodle, spend time with her family (indoors and out), explore bookstores, engage in recreational mathematics, and periodically binge-watch UK mystery and crime series. She also enjoys a good cup of coffee.

Contact information: perry@rowan.edu | 856-256-4079
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Dr. Natalie Kautz, Assistant Director

Dr. Natalie Kautz joined the Rowan family in 2010 and the Faculty Center in 2018. She earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University in 2016. As the Assistant Director, she works closely with the Director. She is responsible for the Mid-Semester Focus on Teaching & Learning and the Faculty Center Announcements. Natalie facilitates the Enhancing Teaching and Learning program. She also assists with New Faculty Orientation, and with grant and award applications as needed. Natalie represents the Faculty Center at workshops and presentations across the university. She is a member of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the Graduate Honor Society.

Natalie is also an adjunct professor in the Mathematics Department in the College of Science & Mathematics. In her spare time she likes to read, swim, go to the beach, play board games, vacation in warm places, and visit with family.

Contact information: kautzn@rowan.edu | 856-256-4669
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Carla Sbrana, Educational Technologist 

Since September 2013, Carla Sbrana has been working in the Faculty Center as a part-time member. As the Educational Technologist, she shares resources with faculty through the Faculty Center Web site and Facebook page. She developed and instructs two 4 week courses, Online Teaching Basics Part 1 and 2  . She has also conducts workshops, Mid-semester Focus groups, assists with New Faculty Orientation and other events and programs sponsored by the Faculty Center.

Carla is also an adjunct for the Critical Literacy, Technology & Multilingual Education Dept. in the College of Education and teaches courses related to Educational Technology. Outside of the office, Carla enjoys traveling with her husband, take pictures, the beach, yard work, movies, and reading.

Contact information: sbrana@rowan.edu | 856-305-4617 (cell)
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Dr. Rachael Shapiro, Provost's Fellow on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Dr. Rachael Shapiro is the Provost Fellow on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Faculty Center. She has focused her research, teaching, and service on social justice, linguistic diversity, and antiracist and decolonial pedagogy for over fifteen years. At Rowan, she applies antiracist and decolonial teaching strategies in undergraduate and graduate courses in the Writing Arts department, as well as in her work with preservice K-5 teachers in the Literacy Studies program. In her scholarship, Dr. Shapiro advocates for linguistic justice for BIPOC, multilingual, and non-standard language users. She has led and served on DEI committees across the university, and she dedicates her service work to helping all community members participate in building a more inclusive campus. Loves: yoga and hiking with her family. Hates: coconut and injustice.

Contact information: shapiror@rowan.edu
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Allison Massimini, Student Evaluations System Manager

Allison Massimini is a dedicated and experienced professional who joined the Rowan University family in 2023. She has a BS in Management from Rutgers University and over a decade of experience in the financial industry. In her current role as Student Evaluations System Manager, she is responsible for managing and maintaining the university-wide system and processes for online student surveys of teaching effectiveness.

In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, attending Phillies & Sixers games, and spending time with her husband and children.

Contact information: massimini@rowan.edu
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Lizabeth Roth, Administrative Assistant 

Lizabeth Roth joined the Rowan family during the summer of 2022 and works in the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning as the Administrative Assistant. Lizzie has dedicated more than fifteen years to volunteering and fundraising for multiple non-profits that are close to her heart in her local hometown where she resides with her husband, their son, and her two rescue puppies. Lizzie has a background in business management where she had been working in the banking and financial industry for over two decades. She loves spending time with her family and friends, watching her son play soccer and being at the beach. Her passion is to always be positive, helpful, and to bring happiness to others.

Contact information: rothld@rowan.edu | 856-256-4353
Pronouns: she/her/hers