NATHAN WHITLEY-GRASSI
Skilled Educator and Accomplished Academic
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![Lemur](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5d5bf3045cd47aa9aa2208dfcd73d1b.png/v1/fill/w_60,h_60,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Lemur.png)
ABOUT NATHAN WHITLEY-GRASSI
Dr. Nathan Whitley-Grassi is the Director of Digital Accessibility, Media, and Learning Environments and an Assistant Professor at SUNY Empire State College. He holds a PhD in Education focusing on STEM and Educational Technology from Walden University and holds additional graduate degrees in Biological Anthropology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from SUNY University at Buffalo as well as a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Armstrong State University / Georgia Southern University.
Whitley-Grassi teaches in both the Master of Arts in Learning and Emerging Technologies (MALET) program as well as the Undergraduate department of Natural Sciences offering courses in biological anthropology, conservation, and ecology and evolution topics at the undergraduate level.
Whitley-Grassi’s research interests include increasing access to STEM experiences through innovative technology integration.
ACADEMIC CAREER
Professional Experience
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY, MEDIA, AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
2020-Present
State University of New York Empire State College
Digital Accessibility, Digital Media, & Digital Environments
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
2011- Present
State University of New York Empire State College
School of Science Math and Technology, department of Natural Sciences
School for Graduate Studies​
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES
2015-2020
State University of New York Empire State College
Educational & Emerging Technologies - Information Technology Services
LECTURER /Â SENIOR LECTURER /Â ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
2009-2019
Niagara University
Adjunct Professor 2013 - 2019
Senior Lecturer 2011 - 2013
Lecturer 2009 - 2011
VISITING SCHOLAR
2014-2017
State University of New York, University at Buffalo
Center for Educational Innovation
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FACULTY INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIST
2010-2015
State University of New York Empire State College
Academic Technologies
RESEARCH INSTRUCTOR
2010-2012
State University of New York University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical Science
PUBLISHED WORK
Peer Reviewed and Book Chapters
2021
MEDICAL VS. SOCIAL MODELS OF DISABILITY: INCREASING INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS IN ONLINE AND BLENDED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
Whitley-Grassi, N., Whitley-Grassi, B., Hoppel, S., & Zgliczynski, M., (2021)Â Medical vs. Social Models of Disability: Increasing Inclusion and Participation of Students in Online and Blended Learning in Higher Education. International Perspectives on Supporting and Engaging Online Learners. Blessinger, P., & Hoffman, J.. (Eds.).
2018
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SCIENCE FIELD-BASED RESEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR ONLINE STUDENTS THROUGH OER
Matias, A., Woo, K., & Whitley-Grassi, N. (2018). Expanding Access to Science Field-Based Research Techniques for Online Students through OER. International Journal of Open Educational Resources,1(1). doi:10.18278/ijoer.1.1.7
2016
ECOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCE VIRTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCES OERS: EXPANDING ACCESS TO FIELD-BASED RESEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR STUDENTS AT A DISTANCE
Matais, A., Whitley-Grassi, N., & Woo, K., (2016) Ecology and Earth Science Virtual Field Experiences OERs: Expanding Access to Field-Based Research Techniques for Students at a Distance. Open Education: International Perspectives in Higher Education. Blessinger, P., & Bliss, T. J. (Eds.). Open Book Publishers
2015
TOOLS OF ENGAGEMENT PROJECT (TOEP): DISCOVERING AND EXPLORING WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
Sullivan, R., van Putten, C. & Whitley-Grassi, N. (2015). Tools of Engagement Project (TOEP): Discovering and exploring within a supportive professional development community. In S. Carliner, C. Fulford & N. Ostashewski (Eds.), Proceedings of EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2015 (pp. 1147-1149).
2014
ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH STRUCTURED INQUIRY AND A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
Sullivan, R., Tysick, C.A., Pilawski, B., Shi, S., van Putten, C., & Whitley-Grassi, N. (2014) Tools of Engagement Project (TOEP): Online Professional Development through Structured Inquiry and a Virtual Community. Inquiry Based Learning for Faculty and Instructional Development. Bingley, UK: Emerald.
2013
TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES TO FINAL PAPERS AND PROJECTS
Whitley-Grassi, N & Hoefler, P. (2013). Technology Approaches to Final Papers and Projects. In C. Wankel & P. Blessinger (Ed.s) Increasing Student Engagement and Retention using Social Technologies: Facebook, e-portfolios and other Social Networking Services. Chapter 8. Bingley, UK: Emerald.
2010
COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS OF CLASS ATTENDANCE VS. ONLINE LECTURE VIEWING IN LEARNING HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
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TEACHING AT EMPIRE STATE
Recent Course Offerings
SCHOOL FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Designing Immersive STEM Learning Experiences
Assessing Learning in Digital Environments
Evaluation, Assessment, and Data Driven Learning Design
Advanced Assessment and Learning Analytics
STEM Education Ecology Field Experience
Learning and Educational Technology Internship
Research Methods
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Biological Anthropology
Primate Behavioral Ecology
Mammalogy
Evolution / Ecology
Ecology & Earth Science Field Methods
Wildlife Conservation
Research Methods
PROJECTS AND RESEARCH
Projects Section Subtitle
![Teenage Students Raising Hands](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d294619f36e453da709912282e66ab3.jpg/v1/fill/w_301,h_142,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Teenage%20Students%20Raising%20Hands.jpg)
STEM Education
Project Subtitle
Faculty Development
Project Subtitle
![Teacher Instructing](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/158017384a394bfe8a362cc58b609376.jpg/v1/fill/w_301,h_201,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Teacher%20Instructing.jpg)
![Education Books Bookshelfs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ce7c74f2a4e7499f9dff83d927b105fc.jpg/v1/fill/w_301,h_201,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Education%20Books%20Bookshelfs.jpg)
Primate Behavior and Ecology
Project Subtitle