The Texas A&M University Center for Educational Technologies (CET) provides educational resources and collaboration opportunities to professionals in veterinary medicine, educators, and researchers.

CET Capacities

We offer services to researchers seeking collaborators or contractors for their educational or training projects. We offer development tools and hosting services to educators creating their own online training resources. We also offer online course materials for colleges of veterinary medicine and continuing education courses for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. We’re able to serve all of these groups under one roof through our various programs and technologies:

Educational Resources
Online continuing education for veterinary technicians & nurses
StepStone software
Research Collaboration program
Veterinary Innovation & Commercialization program
Content Hosting

INNOVATION

COLLABORATION

INTEGRITY

LIFE-LONG LEARNING

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Our core values serve as the foundation we build our work upon.

Learn more about our core values

Meet Our Team

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Nicola Ritter, MEd, PhD
Director and Instructional Associate Professor

979-458-8450
nritter@cvm.tamu.edu
Curriculum Vitae

BIO

Dr. Nicola Ritter joined the Center for Educational Technologies in January 2016. Dr. Ritter has over a decade of varied education experience in teaching, educational publishing, and educational technology research. Dr. Ritter began as a science teacher and transitioned to instructional design and assessment in the educational software industry. She, then, returned to school and received a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2014. Dr. Ritter provides instructional design expertise, knowledge of educational assessment and passion for educational technology research.

Learn more about Dr. Ritter's Research Expertise

EDUCATION

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Michelle Makovicka, MED, PMP
Associate Director, Operations

mwiederhold@cvm.tamu.edu

BIO

Michelle Makovicka joined the Center for Educational Technologies in May 2017. Michelle works with both the instructional design and production teams to develop educational resources and programs for internal and external clients. She holds a Master of Education in Educational Technology and a Bachelor of Business in Marketing from Texas A&M University. Michelle received her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2019. She has over a decade of online instructional technology experience. Michelle is interested in combining her educational technology background with project management to coordinate the delivery of high-quality educational materials in a timely and cost-effective manner. In 2022, Michelle was awarded VMBS's outstanding research support award.

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Suzanne Kabat
Assistant Director, Communications

skabat@cvm.tamu.edu

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Suzie is the Creative Director for the Center for Educational Technologies and supports our work by providing visual design and illustration for instructional materials, user interfaces, presentations, promotional pieces and brand identity. She holds a BA in Media Studies from The University at Buffalo, New York and has 20 years of experience in the creative industry. She joined the Center in 2013.

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Bette Bittner
Instructional Designer

bbittner@cvm.tamu.edu

BIO

Bette Bittner joined the Center for Educational Technologies in March 2021. Bette has spent over 20 years teaching a wide range of students (K-12 and GED prep students) on a wide range of subjects including math, writing, speech, and standardized test prep. While teaching, Bette created much of her own curriculum; she then moved into fulltime instructional design and has designed face-to-face and distance learning courses on a great variety of topics. Bette earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota. She loves learning while developing courses, and strives to never forget that the goal of curriculum development is a positive and productive learning experience for the student.

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Torri Whitaker, MEd
Research Associate

979-458-8450
torrilw@tamu.edu

BIO

Torri Whitaker joined the CET in August of 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Master of Education in Agriculture Education from Texas A&M University. Torri’s career began as the program director for an equine therapeutic riding facility where she quickly discovered a love for sharing the relevance of science to everyday life with young people. She pursued this passion by returning to school and earning teaching certifications for Secondary Life-Earth Science (6th-8th) and Core Subjects (4th-8th). Her 10 years of classroom experience includes 5th - 8th grade science, Biology, 5th grade math, and 6th grade English Language Arts. In the classroom, Torri and her students participated in a wide variety of “real-world” science projects including the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Stem Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) project and Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Project Wild. These partnerships facilitated a new role as a curriculum specialist supporting several National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health K-12 education projects. Torri is excited to now support the CET team in developing relevant, engaging science curriculum.

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Dan Shuta
Multimedia Developer

dshuta@cvm.tamu.edu

BIO

Dan Shuta is the Multimedia Developer for the Center for Educational Technologies, creating web-based academic authoring systems, building customized user interfaces, and programming interactive learning solutions. Dan's professional experience includes a position as an adjunct instructor at Syracuse University (his Alma mater), an animator for Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly, and as a certified support specialist for Apple's professional creative software suite. Dan has also worked for over ten years as an illustrator, animator and developer for clients at Cornell University and eCornell. He has participated as artist/animator, writer, post production and crew for multiple short film and animation projects and enjoys experimenting with musical software and gadgetry, DIY electronics, and photography.

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Vince Chihak
Creative Manager

vchihak@cvm.tamu.edu

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Vince Chihak is a multimedia specialist for the Center for Educational Technologies, contributing expertise in video and audio production to a wide variety of educational projects. In his position, Vince works closely with faculty and instructional designers to help them translate their vision into reality. Vince holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and worked overseas in Trinidad and Australia as an oilfield engineer, prior to shifting his career to educational technologies. Vince joined the CET team in 2014 and draws upon his valuable skill set to bring organization and efficiency to the team’s production processes.

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Ashlee Shepard
Client Technologies Analyst

aeshepard@tamu.edu

BIO

Ashlee Shepard joined the Center for Educational Technologies in January 2025. She has a strong background in people management, customer service, learning management system (LMS) administration, change management, and information technology. Ashlee has enhanced learner effectiveness by 5% to 15% through the implementation of efficient technology solutions. She is eager to learn, embraces new challenges, and enjoys problem-solving. Ashlee is committed to collaborating with her team, peers, clients, and users to provide the best possible solutions.

Portrait of Laura Ann wearing a blue shirt next to her Yellow Labrador who is wearing a leather harness with the words Guide Dog for the Blind embossed on the front.

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Laura Ann Grymes
Program Aide - ADA Testing Specialist

BIO

In June 2017, Laura Ann Grymes joined the Center for Educational Technologies as a program aide to assist the team in ensuring materials produced by the Center meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and support the learner in gaining new knowledge. Laura Ann works with the CET to ensure that learners with visual disabilities, like herself, or other disabilities can easily navigate the materials produced by the Center. Laura Ann holds a BS in Curriculum and Instruction grades 1 through 8. Throughout her career and in her personal life she has advocated for accessibility for all learners. Laura Ann has spoken to schools, groups, and various organizations to educate them on accessibility, access, laws, independent living while blind, and guide dog etiquette. She has also assisted with making books accessible and available to learners who are blind or have other reading disabilities. She is looking forward to continuing her work to advocate for learners in making materials easily accessible. Laura Ann enjoys combining her educational background and life experiences to help increase awareness of accessibility considerations in digital environments. Laura Ann is grateful to be able to partner with the CET and be part of a team that is both passionate about making materials accessible for learning and actively working to remove challenges to help students grow and learn efficiently.

Current Student Workers

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Katelyn Jensen
Assistant Instructional Designer
December 2024

BIO

Katelyn joined the Center for Educational Technologies in November 2024 as an Assistant Instructional Designer. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's of science in Economics at Texas A&M and has goals of earning her Certification for Financial Planning (CFP) after graduating. Having most of her experience in social media and data analytics, she plans to use these skills to contribute to the creation of a variety of educational technologies.

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Aidan Cannon
IT Student Technician
July 2024

BIO

Aidan Cannon is an IT Student Technician at the Center for Educational Technologies, where he started in July 2024. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University and plans to graduate in 2025. Aidan is deeply passionate about science and technology, particularly in the field of Nanotechnology. His ambition is to conduct pioneering research and advance technological boundaries during his graduate studies and career. Aidan is committed to making a significant impact, not only within his workplace but also in the world around him. He eagerly looks forward to assisting the CET team with any technical issues or challenges they may encounter.

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Miguel Hoch
Assistant Instructional Designer - Graduate Student
May 2024

BIO

Miguel Hoch joined the Center for Educational Technologies in May 2024 as an Assistant Instructional Designer - Graduate Student. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame ‘23 and is pursuing his Master’s in Public Service and Administration at the Bush School of Government & Public Service. Having spent most of his pre-college education enrolled in a virtual public school, Miguel hopes to use his background in online courses and peer tutoring to assist the instructional design team in enhancing online student learning.

Studio Portrait of Max wearing a black polo shirt with a red collar. He is in front of a grey background.

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Max Mouget
Videography Assistant

maxim.mouget@tamu.edu

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Maxim joined the Center for Educational Technologies in December 2023 as a videographer assistant. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's in Computer Science at Texas A&M University and is set to graduate in 2026. He is passionate about filmmaking, animation, video games, technology, and cybersecurity. Max hopes to help the CET team by being present in the process of making videos, starting with preparing the videos, shooting them, and finally editing them.

Past Student Workers

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Zipora Johnson
Student IT Technician
April 2024 - May 2024

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Zipora Johnson is an undergraduate student who joined the Center for Educational Technologies team in 2024 as a Student IT Technician. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management at Texas A&M University, through the College of Engineering with a minor in Cybersecurity. She is an advocate for the growth of technology, and the many opportunities that come with it. Zipora is hopeful to continue her path with a career that is full of innovation and growth.

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Lizette Beltran
Graduate Research Assistant - Instructional Design
August 2023 – May 2024

BIO

Lizette Beltran joined the Center for Educational Technologies in August 2023 as a Graduate Research Assistant - Instructional Design. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Texas A&M University and is pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on Public Management at The Bush School of Government & Public Service. Lizette hopes to utilize her background in student advising, project management, and administrative work to assist the CET team in the developing instructional materials that enhance the learning experience and uphold our commitment to supporting life-long learning.

My CET Experience

Throughout my time at the Center for Education Technologies (CET), I’ve had the opportunity to expand my skill set, allowing me to become a well-rounded candidate for applying to jobs after graduation. With a background in communication and my current program focusing on public administration, the role has helped me strengthen my project management abilities by learning to manage my time across multiple projects, prioritizing deadlines, being detailoriented, and remaining open-minded to try new things that develop my current skill set. As a Graduate Assistant in instructional design, I have expanded my knowledge by learning to use StepStone, Qualtrics, WordPress, and Canvas. Additionally, I’ve built upon my experience in communication and copywriting by drafting materials for the CET website, editing videos, evaluating materials for consistency, and conducting phone surveys. What I like most about my experience is that every day is different, and I have an active role in supporting the team’s efforts to complete projects. Under the supervision of Bette, I work in a positive learning environment where she encourages questions, provides feedback, and provides autonomy. I am thankful for having the opportunity to work in a team that encourages me to share my ideas and has contributed to my professional development.

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Audrey Fidler
Instructional Design Assistant
February 2023 - May 2024

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My CET Experience

My time at the Center for Educational Technologies (CET) has been a joy both personally and professionally. Working with a diverse team on unique fields of study has equipped me to enter corporate America with outstanding interpersonal and analytical skills. The diversity of the fields that the CET engages with has allowed me to leverage my acquired skills into a full-time role after I graduate. While at the CET I was given the space needed as a young professional to grow these skills in partnership with seasoned professionals, in order to produce amazing results for our clients. Furthermore, the CET has instilled a desire for excellence in designing and creating educational content for greater learning experiences. In order to create meaningful and excellent learning experiences, I have had the opportunity to utilize platforms such as Moodle, Canvas, Qualtrics, Excel, and an in-house produced learning software StepStone. Being exposed to a wide variety of learning management systems and support softwares has allowed me to gain invaluable insight into learning different systems quickly as well as: copy writing and editing, analyzing mass amounts of information, and creating sustainable projects. I could not have grown these skills without the supervision of Dr. Molly Gonzales who has continually fostered a trusting and open environment built to encourage hands-on engagement and support young professionals launching into excellence. The CET takes on unique fields and projects and it is under Molly that I have had the opportunity to meaningfully engage and network with incredible individuals who have contributed to refining my professional skills that I will carry forward into my future careers. I will forever be grateful for both the CET and Molly granting me the opportunity to work alongside them and developing me into an equipped young professional.

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Neeti Sharma
Graduate Research Assistant - Data Analyst
January 2023 – May 2024

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Neeti Sharma joined the Center of Educational Technologies in January 2023 as a Graduate Research Assistant - Data Analyst. She possesses a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and has worked as a Software Engineer at Accenture for two years. She is passionate about data science and actively contributes to CET's use of Learning Analytics by conducting data analysis for educational research. Neeti hopes to make a meaningful impact in the field of education and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Management Information System at Texas A&M Mays Business School to hone her skill in data analysis and management

My CET Experience

My experience at the Center for Educational Technologies has been truly rewarding. I genuinely enjoy my role here and consider it a remarkable opportunity for anyone seeking to join. During my time here, I've had the opportunity to work on data visualizations and analysis using tools like Tableau and Power BI, as well as data cleaning and transformations using Alteryx. I've been able to put into practice the knowledge I've acquired from my data-related coursework, which has proven to be immensely fulfilling. The practical, hands-on experience I've garnered has been invaluable in refining my skills and deepening my understanding of data analysis. This experience played a pivotal role in helping me land an internship as a Data Analyst. The support and guidance I've received in this workplace have been immensely gratifying. Working under the supervision of Dr. Ritter has been an amazing opportunity. She has always welcomed new ideas and fostered my proactiveness, encouraging me to ask questions all of which has significantly contributed to my professional growth. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to learn and contribute to this dynamic field.

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Daniel Lam He
IT Technician

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Daniel Lam He joined the Center for Educational Technologies in October 2023. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Texas A&M University. He is passionate about working with technology, troubleshooting issues, and helping people. Daniel, through his skills and quick learning, worked in ADA quality assurance testing and resolved IT tickets in the CET’s help desk as an IT Technician.

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Rutvi Vasani
Graduate Research Assistant - Instructional Design

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Rutvi Vasani, Master of Science student at TAMU, joined the Center for Educational Technologies in February 2023. Vasani earned her bachelor’s degree in information technology at Gujarat Technological University in Gujarat, India and then worked as a software developer at Tata Consultancy Services, India’s largest IT company.

Vasani’s innate intuitiveness and eagerness to develop new skills led her to pursue a master’s degree at Texas A&M University. She came to the United States and began work on her master’s in August 2022, and anticipates completing the program in May 2024. Vasani would like to utilize technology to help solve complex real-world problems.

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Lindsey Walker
Graduate Research Assistant - Instructional Design

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Lindsey Walker joined the Center for Educational Technologies in February 2023 as a Graduate Research Assistant - Instructional Design. She possesses a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in Animal Science '22 and is currently pursuing a dual degree program in which she will receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Masters in Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology. Lindsey has over a decade of experience within the veterinary field and hopes to utilize her knowledge to enhance student learning through the instructional design team.

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Heather Showley
Program Aid

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Heather worked for the Center for Educational Technologies as part of the Creating Partnerships grant program. She currently works as a Program Aid for the
Veterinary Medicine Continuing Education department at Texas A&M University and a member of the Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN).

Heather graduated from The University of Findlay in May of 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Animal Science, emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She then attended Texas A&M University where she earned her Master’s in Biomedical Sciences in December of 2022. During her Master’s Program, she was inducted into the Texas A&M University Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta International Honor Society of Agriculture for being in the top 20% of all Agriculture and Life Sciences Students at Texas A&M University. She also became RECOVER CPR Certified in both BLS and ALS in June 2023.

Heather has over 16 years of mixed animal experience. From all the experiences Heather has had, her favorite experiences include being a Dairy Farm Milker for 300 head of Holstein Crosses in the Summer of 2019, being an Intern at Cnossen Dairy that owns 10,000+ head of Holstein and Jersey Crosses in the Fall of 2023, and helping teach important skills to Texas A&M Veterinary Students.

Heather is interested in pursuing a career in a Mixed Veterinary Practice or a Dairy Farm Operation. She is passionate about providing care to all animals and likes the responsibility of helping provide safe and healthy animal products for human consumption.

Heather has an outgoing personality that allows her to develop many relationships. She utilizes her compassion and determination to accomplish important tasks and goals. Heather plans on continuing to be involved in opportunities that will prepare her for her future career as a veterinarian.

Veterinary Curriculum

Content Distribution

Veterinary CE

StepStone

Research Collaboration

Veterinary Innovation & Commercialization Program

The Texas A&M University Center for Educational Technologies (CET) provides educational resources and collaboration opportunities to professionals in veterinary medicine, educators, and researchers.

CET Capacities

INNOVATION

COLLABORATION

INTEGRITY

LIFE-LONG LEARNING

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Our core values serve as the foundation we build our work upon.

Meet Our Team

Current Student Workers

Past Student Workers

Are you interested in starting a project with us?