UMR’s 2024 State of the Campus - Learning Innovation Unbound

The University of Minnesota Rochester and members of the Rochester community came together on November 12 for the annual State of the Campus event - Learning Innovation Unbound. Chancellor Lori J. Carrell, Ph.D. was proud to share, "The state of UMR, our hometown University of Minnesota campus, is good – and unbound learning innovation is making it possible."

UMR's Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education winning faculty Jessie Barnett, Jered Bright, Jake Wright and Kelsey Metzger; current students, Natalia Useche Paredes and Wendy Thao; and alumni, Glen Morris ‘17 and Magi Blackmon ‘23 reflected upon their unbound learning experiences and the teaching practices that drive student success. "UMR doesn’t just promote unbound learning, we are all outcomes of the learning that happens here," shared Blackmon. Learn more about each panelist below:

Jessie Barnett is a senior lecturer in public health specializing in dynamic curriculum development and experiential learning. Dr. Barnett’s background in health disparities research informs her student-centered course design, in which learners nurture an enduring personal connection with public health concepts. An Institute on the Environment Educator, she is committed to cultivating the next generation of public health leaders through student-driven learning. Barnett is a 2022 recipient of the Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education.

Glen Morris is a researcher at The Hormel Research Institute - University of Minnesota, Medical Research Center in the ENACT lab investigating nutrition, digital health and epidemiology. Dr. Morris graduated from UMR in 2017. He completed his doctorate at Purdue University, studying the impact of biosecurity on rural agriculture and how the best disease prevention strategies can effectively be implemented into education, policy and practice. Morris was raised in Medford, Minnesota where he was influenced by a supportive rural community with entities in both public health and agriculture.  

Jered Bright is a senior teaching specialist in mathematics. With a focus on developing each student, he implements a pedagogy of care that is intentionally designed with challenges to empower each student. Professor Bright has led the development of multiple programs, including three redesigns of UMR’s introductory math sequence and a Summer Bridge program. As an interdisciplinary research team member, he investigates mental health among youth. Bright is a 2024 recipient of the Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education.

Magi Blackmon is a 2023 UMR graduate. She served as an undergraduate academic assistant for several courses focused on student engagement, creativity and data analysis. She also spent her summers as an assistant in the Office of Residential Life. Through these experiences, Blackmon discovered her passion for higher education, student development and the transformative power of human connection. She is the community life coordinator at UMR, where she collaborates closely with students, resident assistants, desk assistants and professional staff.

Jake Wright is a senior lecturer in philosophy. His research focuses on the ethical and pedagogical justifications for introductory teaching practices, especially practices that address systemic inequalities or go beyond the discipline’s signature pedagogy. Dr. Wright is a 2023 recipient of the University of Minnesota’s Morse-Alumni Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education.  

Wendy Thao is a second-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences student. She is a first generation college student from St. Paul. Thao came to UMR after talking about how she wanted to help people next to a UMR booth at a college fair, which she called a “magical moment.” Her favorite things about UMR are the care faculty show for the students and the community she’s found with her fellow students.

Kelsey J. Metzger is a professor of biology and the director of faculty development at UMR whose scholarship focuses on investigating the efficacy of learning innovations and supporting instructors to implement evidence-based teaching practices. As an educator, Dr. Metzger invites students to co-construct supportive learning communities that elicit embodied learning through a “trail mix” of classroom engagement strategies, academic relationship building, disciplinary exploration and self-reflection. Metzger is a 2023 recipient of the Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education.

Natalia Useche Paredes is a third-year student, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. An aspiring physician and medical interpreter, Useche Paredes likes to be involved on campus through different student organizations such as Rochester Student Association and Our Roots. Her passion for health care led her to UMR, where she believes she is continuing to learn important lessons about the various aspects that affect a person’s health.