Excellence In Online Teaching Award

Dr. Jenifer Ross
Associate Professor
Nutrition & Dietetics | Brooks College of Health
Faculty Bio
Award Submission Packet

Dr. Jen Ross, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics and director of the fully online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program, is a leader in advancing online doctoral education. With over a decade of experience teaching fully online at UNF, she has designed and delivered 19 courses that emphasize real-world application for practicing clinicians. As DCN program director, she has helped secure candidacy accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, positioning the program among the nation’s leaders in online nutrition education. Dr. Ross’s teaching is grounded in active learning and mentorship. She integrates innovative strategies such as video-based counseling assessments with time-stamped feedback, virtual escape room simulations, and structured peer review to deepen student engagement and professional skill development. Her research on empathy in higher education informs her supportive, student-centered approach, consistently reflected in strong student feedback and evaluations. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ross plays a pivotal role in mentoring doctoral students, contributing to numerous scholarly publications and presentations with her mentees. Through program leadership, Quality Matters course design, and exploration of AI-supported dissertation tools, she continues to shape the future of online learning and prepare the next generation of leaders in nutrition and healthcare.

Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich
Associate Professor
Leadership, School Counseling, & Sport Management | Silverfield College of Education & Human Services
Faculty Bio
Award Submission Packet

Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, associate professor in Leadership, School Counseling, & Sport Management is a leader in the field of instructional technology and online learning. With over 20 years of experience, she has shaped UNF’s digital learning landscape through scholarship, program development, and inclusive course design. As director of the Instructional Technology, Training and Development program, she has led the creation of multiple Quality Matters-certified courses and helped launch the new Bachelor’s in Learning Design & Technology. Her research on inclusive online course design, funded through multiple institutional grants, demonstrates how thoughtful design impacts student pass rates. Dr. Ehrlich integrates innovative tools such as lightboard technology and AI-focused coursework to deepen student engagement. Recognized through fellowships and leadership roles—including co-chairing the UNF AI Council and selection as a 2024 EdSafeAI Women in AI Fellow—she combines academic rigor with a student-centered ethos. Through her impactful teaching, pioneering research, and dedication to inclusivity, Dr. Ehrlich continues to transform the online learning experience at UNF and beyond.

Dr. Maria Angeles Fernandez Cifuentes
Associate Professor
Languages, Literatures and Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences
Faculty Bio
Award Submission Packet
Showcase Video

Dr. Maria A Fernandez Cifuentes, associate professor in languages, literatures, and cultures, is a pioneer in online education. Her transformative journey began with the CIRT Teaching Online Foundation Course in 2017, igniting a deep appreciation for the pedagogical potential of online learning. Championing student-created digital Open Educational Resources (OER), Maria fosters equity and innovation with projects showcased internationally. High student ratings and certifications like Quality Matters highlight her commitment to excellence. Maria’s scholarly publications and leadership in educational initiatives further demonstrate her dedication to evidence-based practices and advancing teaching methodologies. Through innovation and empowerment, Maria enriches online education, setting new learning experiences and academic excellence standards.

Dr. Nilufer Ozdemir
Associate Professor
Economics | Coggin College of Business
Faculty Bio
Award Submission Packet
Showcase Video

Dr. Nilufer Ozdemir, associate professor of economics, teaches various online courses, including Monetary Economics and Principles of Macroeconomics. Dr. Ozdemir enhances online learning through a two-pronged "Engagement" and "Support" approach. "Engagement" includes continuous touchpoints like current events reports, quizzes, and Q&A sessions, promoting active participation. "Support" encompasses an Assistance Program, pre-exam meetings, software videos, study guides, and reminder videos for effective learning and connectivity. Discussions facilitate interaction and peer learning in her courses. Additionally, she engages students in analyzing real-world data through community programs, creating a comprehensive, engaging, and supportive online learning environment for student success.