SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2024: Hudson Valley – Heather Chase

Heather J. Chase is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science & Mathematics department at Hudson Valley Community College and has been employed at HVCC since 2016. She received her M.B.A. from University of Phoenix,  B.S. from College of St. Rose, and A.A. from SUNY Adirondack. Heather started teaching online in Fall 2009 while working at a for-profit college. That early online teaching and her experience earning her master’s degree online, gave her insight into the importance of a good course design that takes into consideration the variety ways students learn and is accessible to all students. When hired at Hudson Valley, one of her first professional development courses was the college’s PEOCDD Online Instructor Training which elevated her knowledge of best practices when designing an online course. Since then, Heather has taken many opportunities to stay current on pedagogical methods in online teaching and learning. During Hudson Valley’s recent transition from Blackboard to Brightspace, Heather was a faculty mentor assisting colleagues in transitioning their course materials and improving their course design and accessibility.

In my role as an online educator, I strive to foster a dynamic atmosphere that empowers independent learners while offering tailored guidance and diverse learning opportunities to cater to all learning preferences. By cultivating a virtual space that encourages self-discipline and dedication, I aim to ensure a fulfilling online journey for every learner. As an online educator, my guiding principles emphasize accessibility, flexibility, and the provision of timely, personalized feedback to each learner. I approach the design and delivery of my online courses with boundless enthusiasm, unwavering dedication, and a steadfast commitment to student success. By the conclusion of the course, my foremost objective is for students to depart with new knowledge in the subject matter and a online learning experience that gave them the thirst continue learning.