Meet the CTLE Staff
If you would like to discuss CTLE programs and services, please visit the CTLE MS Bookings Page to schedule your next consultation.
Dr. Joshua D. Kanies
Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Director
Dr. Joshua D. Kanies has been working in Higher and Post-secondary Education for over 20 years. He has led educational institutions in Faculty Development, Curriculum and New Program Development, Workforce Development, Instructional Design for Virtual and Hybrid courses and LMS Management. He holds a BFA from Iowa State University, an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and completed his Doctorate with Argosy University. His dissertation investigates how institutions address adult learner needs and how they understand learner motivations in their field of study. His continued research considers the correlations among students and faculty within the Self-Determination Theory framework and how to improve both the teaching and learning experience. He is passionate about innovation and experimentation in and outside of the classroom and takes an engaging and active listening approach with students and faculty in support of their academic and professional journey.
Email: kaniesj@palmbeachstate.edu
Phone: 561-207-5050
Campus: Lake Worth
Hope Matuella
Instructional Designer
Before joining the CTLE team, she exercised her passions as an educator for the Palm Beach County School District for six years. In addition to her teaching role, she led various professional development initiatives focused on integrating educational technology tools and techniques into the brick-and-mortar classroom setting, aligning instructional strategies and curriculum content with feeder schools, and working with school leadership to build a student leadership program. She is driven by innovation and is passionate about creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences that inspire the love of learning. She has a BS in Secondary English Education and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology.
Alia Rehana
Instructional Designer
Alia Rehana has been working in the education field for over ten years. She has worked with K-12 and adult learners, and has a variety of teaching, tutoring, training, coaching, mentorship, curriculum design, and instructional design experience. Alia’s core value is to work with learners holistically to foster spaces for open dialogue and collaboration. She enjoys utilizing technology to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences. Alia earned an MA in Curriculum & Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BS in Biology from Stony Brook University. Alia was born and raised in South Florida and spent most of her formative school years in New York City. She then spent several years in Los Angeles and recently returned to South Florida to be with her family. In her spare time, you can find Alia in nature soaking up the sunshine, reading, meditating, cooking a healthy meal, traveling, or learning a new creative hobby.
De’Zha Blocker
Administrative Assistant II
De’Zha has enjoyed 10+ years in creating educational fun in childcare. Working with ages K-5th to reach their academic goals. De'Zha is now inspired to pursue a new career in journalism with aspirations to develop new skills and grow. With positivity and drive, she is embracing change enthusiastically.
Dr. Emmanuel Alvarado
NFE Faculty Developer
Emmanuel has worked at Palm Beach State College for the past 7 years. During that time, he has served Palm Beach State College in various roles such as foreign language cluster chair, general education committee chair, institutional review board chair, faculty liaison for the district diversity council, as well as the advisor of the Spanish club at the Palm Beach Gardens campus. Dr. Alvarado oversees our New Faculty Experience (NFE)
