Education Faculty Nominated to Online Learning Council

“I am ready to learn a lot from my new colleagues at different institutions and to offer my support as much as I can. Also, I want to put Hood College’s name on the map for online learning.”

Marisel Torres-Crespo, Ph.D.

Program

Curriculum and Instruction (M.S.)

Department

Education

Faculty
Graduate School
Graduate Student

Academics
Education

12/16/2022

Marisel Torres-Crespo, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Hood College and is the program director of the curriculum and instruction master’s program. This year, Torres-Crespo became the chair of the Chief Officers of the Online Learning Council in Maryland, a counsel of regional educators that focuses on common issues and solutions in online education.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Torres-Crespo received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in elementary and early childhood education from the University of Puerto Rico and her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction (early childhood education) from Penn State University. In 2012, Torres-Crespo moved to Maryland to teach at Hood College.

What is your education and career background?

I have a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an early childhood specialization from Penn State. My master’s in early childhood and my bachelor’s in elementary education came from the University of Puerto Rico. Since 2002, I have been involved in higher education. One of the things I most enjoy is to design and present professional development for teachers, and I have been doing that since 2000.

How did you learn about the Online Learning Council in Maryland?

The provost selected me to represent Hood College on the Council, and I agreed given my passion for the topic and my role as Coordinator of Online Instruction at the College. This statewide affinity group—featuring representation from community colleges, four-year public schools and private schools—will focus on common issues and solutions around online teaching.

How did you become the chair of the Chief Officers of the Online Learning Council?

It is a newly formed group, and I was approached to serve in this role. I agreed to be the chair and will work with Stephen Kabrhel, the dean of online learning at the Community College of Baltimore County. He was selected as co-chair of the group. Overall, I am very excited about this opportunity!

What does your role entail?

We want to create a group that will help generate ideas and best practices for all online programs in Maryland. We want to use our expertise and collective power to develop policies regarding common issues that we all face in the higher-education field.

What do you hope to accomplish in this role?

I am ready to learn from my new colleagues at different institutions and to offer my support as much as I can. Also, I want to put Hood College’s name on the map for online learning.

Are there any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?

I love the outdoors. I enjoy hiking, skiing, biking and other activities. I love to travel, too. My next trip will be to Iceland!

Inspired by Torres-Crespo’s story and excited to learn from her? Explore Hood College’s graduate programs, including the curriculum and instruction program, and how they can help you #GoFurther by clicking here.