{"id":24030,"date":"2026-01-20T10:29:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/?p=24030"},"modified":"2026-01-20T10:29:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:29:57","slug":"sotl-scholar-feature-amanda-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2026\/01\/20\/sotl-scholar-feature-amanda-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"SoTL Scholar Feature: Amanda Storm"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Scholar Feature highlights the work of WCU faculty\u00a0participating\u00a0in the\u00a0SoTL\u00a0(Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) Academy, a program sponsored by the Coulter Faculty Commons.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/11\/arstorm-232×300.jpg” alt=”Headshot of Amanda Storm.” title_text=”arstorm” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ align=”center”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Our current SoTL Scholar Feature<\/em> focuses on Amanda Storm<\/a>, a faculty member in the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Storm has extensive research experience in understanding how aspects of protein sequence and structure translate into functional diversity. She has taught at WCU for over 7 years. Her courses include\u00a0General Biology II, Biotechnology First Year Seminar, Introduction to Genetics, Principles of Biotechnology and Protein Bioinformatics<\/i>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

What started you on your\u00a0SoTL\u00a0journey?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was first introduced to learning theory and pedagogy when I was able to take some science education courses and attend a Lilly Conference during my PhD. My interest in science and \u2018how things work\u2019 extends to \u2018how we learn\u2019 (which is basically biochemistry) but, though I applied ideas from SoTL, I hadn\u2019t made time to start a SoTL project myself until recently. The main obstacle was the time and guidance needed to plan and apply the systematic aspects of intentional data collection and analysis. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How has joining the\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Academy\u00a0impacted\u00a0your work?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With all the responsibilities that faculty have to juggle, for me to add the SoTL plate to the mix required the encouragement, support and accountability that the SoTL Academy offered. The retreat offered a dedicated time to plan, the continued, periodic events kept progress moving, and the connection to people of various expertise helped navigate challenges and best practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What type of\u00a0SoTL\u00a0research are you conducting?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My current project relates to understanding student use of course materials. It stemmed from an initial pilot of switching my sophomore Genetics course from a textbook to OER material, so I was providing students with course material in different formats including presentation slides, online articles and textbook sections, tutorial videos, animations, and interactives. I wondered if students would have a preference for a particular format of course material, given the choice.\u00a0 So, that is what I ended up just asking students through peer-led interviews conducted by a student researcher while also monitoring if there are differences in what course materials students access on Canvas.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anything else you would like to share?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To add a plug for the CFC – even if you don\u2019t have an interest in adding another project to your life, SoTL events never fail to be an encouraging, up-lifting experience for me. They are an opportunity to validate the challenges of teaching, celebrate our successes and affirm the importance of the efforts we put into quality teaching.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Want to Learn more about SoTL at WCU?
\nCheck out the CFC’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)<\/a> page<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Scholar Feature highlights the work of WCU faculty\u00a0participating\u00a0in the\u00a0SoTL\u00a0(Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) Academy, a program sponsored by the Coulter Faculty Commons.\u00a0\u00a0 Our current SoTL Scholar Feature focuses on Amanda […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3390,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]The\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Scholar Feature highlights the work of WCU faculty\u00a0participating\u00a0in the\u00a0SoTL\u00a0(Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) Academy, a program sponsored by the Coulter Faculty Commons.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\"2_5,3_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"2_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/09\/Geraldine_Riouff_Pic.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of Geraldine Riouff.\" title_text=\"Geraldine_Riouff_Pic\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"3_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]Our current\u00a0<\/span>SoTL\u00a0Scholar Feature<\/span><\/i> focuses on Geraldine Riouff<\/a>, a faculty member in the Environmental Health Sciences program in the College of Health and Human Sciences. <\/span><\/p>

Riouff has extensive experience in the Public Health field and has taught at WCU for 5 years. Her courses include Int<\/em><\/span>roduction to Public Health<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Introduction to Global Health<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Food Protection and Sanitation<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Institutional and Residential Environments.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]What started you on your\u00a0SoTL\u00a0journey?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I became interested in\u00a0SoTL\u00a0because I\u00a0haven't\u00a0had formal teaching training. I came from\u00a0Public Health\u00a0practice, and education was a big part of what I did. However, the\u00a0student\u00a0demographics were different. I wanted to have a resource for improving teaching techniques and have a way of following data to see where or how I could reach my students effectively and efficiently.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

How has joining the\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Academy\u00a0impacted\u00a0your work?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The value of\u00a0SoTL\u00a0is the collaboration amongst peers and the mentorship that took place between the\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Faculty\u00a0Fellows and\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Scholars. I had many\u00a0ideas and\u00a0bouncing them off others was powerful in deciding where my focus should land. In addition,\u00a0the Institutional Review Board process\u00a0can be challenging, and having a mentor was quite helpful in making this process seamless.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

What type of\u00a0SoTL\u00a0research are you conducting?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Project I landed on was evaluating curriculum to reflect the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) workplace competencies. I am striving for intentional academic practices that will help students transition into their desired career to be work-ready and life-long self-directed learners.\u00a0\u00a0I hope that by doing this, they will be able to tie the content learned to practice and help them gain confidence in the work that they will be doing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Anything else you would like to share?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Being a\u00a0SoTL\u00a0Scholar is important to me because I am a lifelong learner, and I want to lead by example.\u202f Adjusting teaching practices to provide\u00a0an equitable\u00a0approach that enables all students to learn and grow their educational and professional interests is the value of\u00a0SoTL.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]<\/p>

Want to Learn more about SoTL at WCU?
Check out the CFC's Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)<\/a> page<\/p>

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