About.

Our team consists of experienced researchers, educators, and administrators with diverse expertise in engineering education, higher education, teaching and learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, character education, and comparative philosophy.

Our Team

Qin Zhu
Principal Investigator

Qin Zhu is Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. Qin’s research interests include engineering ethics, global and international engineering education, engineering cultures, and the ethics of human-robot interaction and artificial intelligence.​

Michele Deramo
Co-Principal Investigator

As Associate Vice President for Education and Engagement, Michele Deramo is responsible for strategic education initiatives that advance the university's strategic priorities. These initiatives include professional development and capacity building courses related to inclusive teaching and inclusive workplace practices.

Jill Sible
Co-Principal Investigator

In her current role as Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Dr. Sible oversees the offices of General Education, First Year Experiences, Undergraduate Research, and Academic Integrity. Her recent projects include leading a revision of Virginia Tech’s general education curriculum to be more integrated, outcomes-oriented and infused with contemporary pedagogy. 

Roel Snieder
Curriculum Developer, Workshop Facilitator & Coach

Roel Snieder holds the W.M. Keck Distinguished Chair of Professional Development Education at the Colorado School of Mines. He is a transformational coach, speaker, and teacher. He received in 1984 a Masters degree in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics from Princeton University, and in 1987 a PhD in seismology from Utrecht University. In 2023 Roel received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Colorado School of Mines Board of Trustees. From 2000-2014 he was a firefighter in Genesee Fire Rescue where he served for two years as Fire Chief.

Cortney Holles
Curriculum Developer & Workshop Facilitator

Cortney Holles is a Teaching Professor in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) at the Colorado School of Mines. She earned her master’s degree in English in 2003 and came to Mines in the Fall of 2004 to teach Nature and Human Values.  She has enjoyed working with Mines students to improve their communication skills and explore the impacts of the natural world on human behavior and society ever since.  

Cynthia James
Curriculum Developer & Workshop Facilitator

​​Cynthia James is an Emotional Integration Leadership Coach. As a speaker, performing artist and multiple award-winning author of “I Choose Me: The Art of Being A Phenomenally Successful Woman at Home and at Work” (3 times a #1 Bestseller on Amazon) “What Will Set You Free?”, “Revealing Your Extraordinary Essence”, and latest book “Does My Voice Matter? A Journey of Self-Discovery, Authenticity and Empowerment her reach International. Cynthia’s Advanced Awareness and Clarity Coaching, offers depth, focus and results for high-level business leaders. She has completed two Master’s Degree programs; one in Consciousness Studies from the Holmes Institute where she was awarded the honor of distinguished alumni, and the other in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.

Alexis Elder
​Research Consultant

​Dr. Elder is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at UMD. She works in Ethics, Social Philosophy, Metaphysics (especially social ontology), Philosophy of Technology, and Moral Psychology. She tends to draw on ancient philosophy - primarily Chinese and Greek -  in order to think about current problems. Teaching interests include a variety of courses in applied ethics, where she enjoys working with students to explore the many ways philosophical issues can crop up in practical concerns.