The Google Faculty Group Assignment Redesign Cohort (ARC) is a professional development experience designed to help higher education faculty rethink classroom activities using learning science and modern tools, such as AI, to lower the threat of cognitive off-loading and improve relevance and engagement. We are just finishing up our second cohort and are connecting with one of the Cohort members to discuss their work in higher ed, their experiences around professional learning and the ARC professional learning experience. 

Join us here --> https://meet.google.com/pca-txie-nge

About the Participants

Dr. Shelli Wynants (Guest)

Learning Design Coordinator, Faculty Development Center
Faculty, Child and Adolescent Studies

With 29 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Wynants is a passionate instructor and instructional designer specializing in online and blended course development. She creates engaging, accessible learning experiences and lead professional development workshops that empower faculty to excel in digital teaching environments, including how to use generative AI as a faculty assistant. Her expertise includes Universal Design for Learning and Open Educational Resources, which she integrates into innovative course design to support diverse learners. She is skilled in leveraging generative AI to help students use these tools responsibly to augment their learning, both through course assignments and custom-built GPT activities, as well as through professional development series designed specifically for students. As a Quality Matters Certified Facilitator, she guides faculty in implementing best practices for online teaching. Her contributions have been recognized by Cal State Fullerton with the 2025 SchoolsFirst Excellence in Education Award, the 2023 Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Team Award, and the 2016-17 Outstanding Lecturer Award. I am committed to advancing inclusive, innovative teaching that benefits both students and faculty.

Zac Chase (Host)

Zac Chase, M.A., M.Ed., is the Global Lead of Scaled Programming for Google for Education. He served as a digital equity advisor for the U.S. Department of Education, where he led the development of the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan. He has also worked as a classroom teacher, adjunct instructor, and a school & district administrator.

Chase’s publications include the 2024 and 2016 National Educational Technology Plans, “Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education," and “School 2.0: Building the Schools We Need.” He holds a master’s degree in education policy and management from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Nova Southeastern University, and a bachelor of arts degree in English and secondary education from Illinois State University.