CETLA Team

Dr. Morris Thomas is responsible for providing visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to CETLA by developing and implementing learning-centered professional development initiatives that ultimately foster dynamic learning environments and experiences. He has an extensive background in facilitating learning across modalities (face-to-face, hybrid-blended, and online). Dr. Thomas employs Quality Matters, a nationally recognized, peer-review process used to ensure the quality of online and blended course design. He holds several Quality Matters certifications, including Master Reviewer, Peer-Reviewer and Quality Matters Coordinator. He is also certified to facilitate the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric workshop face-to-face and online. He is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and certified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

Dr. Thomas is an established scholar, his research focuses on instructional dynamics which encompass instructional domains, design and delivery . He has developed a conceptual framework called the E.N.H.A.N.C.E. Learning Model. This conceptual framework provides seven strategies to inform intentional course design and delivery. He is the author of a book titled, Focus: The Missing Factor; A Practical Guide to Accomplishing Your Goals. Dr. Thomas serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of African American Males in Education, the American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, and as reviewer for the International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments. He is a frequent presenter at conferences and for webinars.

Dr. Thomas received his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Morgan State University, a M.A. in educational policy and leadership from The Ohio State University, a M.S. in instructional technology management from LaSalle University, a M.M. in classical vocal performance from New Jersey City University and a B.A. in music from Fisk University. He also completed post graduate studies at Cornell University and Georgetown University in project management and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification with the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI).

A Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Mr. Appiah maintains our hardware, software, network, and videoconferencing equipment. At the same time, having earned a B.S. in Business Management, he takes care of all of CETLA’s information technology needs. In addition, drawing upon his experience training new employees at the HU library, Mr. Appiah provides hands-on assistance to faculty who visit our Open Lab. 

Sebastien Auguste is a part-time Instructional Technology Specialist at CETLA. His responsibilities include planning, designing, and the delivery of training that supports teaching, learning, and assessment activities. Mr. Auguste will participate in instructional technology projects and respond to faculty requests for assistance in implementing technologies to support their learning environments. He will actively engage faculty in identifying instructional best practices, providing support for instructional technology, and responding to CETLA patron requests.

Sebastien has experience managing online programs and teams, instructional design course development, use of instructional strategies and new technologies in online programs at New York University Tandon School of Engineering and Shepard Broad College of Law (Nova Southeastern University). He also works at the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) as the Associate Director of Online Learning, creating content for virtual trainings and face-to-face events. He has also worked at the Dan Marino Foundation training students with disabilities for certifications in Microsoft Office.

Mr. Auguste received a BA in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration from City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Christopher Cooper is a Graphic Designer at CELTA. His responsibilities include, creating and editing graphics and utilizing existing schematic models and brand guidelines to influence design. Mr. Cooper also creates innovative designs and develops materials for print and digital resources. Mr. Cooper supports CETLA & the Office of Faculty Development to convey their missions as a brand, through visually compelling graphics and promotional materials.

Mr. Cooper has a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication & Digital Media Arts from Bowie State University. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Software Engineering. Prior to joining CETLA, he worked as a graphic designer for a fortune 500 company.

Thandiwe oversees our online registration system and carries out our desktop-publishing projects. Thandiwe received a BA in Psychology from Spelman College. Ms. Gibson-Hunter assists all Howard faculty with their general questions. In addition to her computing and clerical skills, she brings to CETLA experience in accounting and event-planning.

Brion Long’s major responsibilities at CETLA include developing and maintaining web applications by utilizing ASP.NET. Brion earned a B.S. & M.A. in Computer Science at Wayne State University. In addition to his programming duties, Mr. Long is responsible for the analysis, design and administration of the Registration and Syllabus Databases. Mr. Long is also responsible for testing and troubleshooting any technical problems that occur with the CETLA website.

Ms. Cindy Philpot is an Instructional Technology Specialist at CETLA. Her responsibilities include planning, designing, and the delivery of training that supports teaching, learning, and assessment activities. Ms. Philpot will participate in instructional technology projects and respond to faculty requests for assistance in implementing technologies to support their learning environments. She will actively engage faculty in identifying instructional best practices; provide support for instructional technology and respond to CETLA patron requests.

Ms. Philpot has a bachelor's in Communications with a concentration in Media Studies from Virginia Wesleyan University, a Masters in Instructional Design and Technology and a graduate eLearning Certificate from George Mason University. She comes to Howard with a background in learning theories, instructional design and expertise in multiple creative design applications and web 2.0 tools.