Our IDEA101 Instructors
Our IDEA101 (Carillon Studio) instructors come from different parts of the University of Maryland community. Each instructor has a role on campus separate from their work with Carillon Communities. They spend time teaching the Carillon Studio and being involved with Carillon each year because they are passionate about helping students start their journey at the University of Maryland.
Anissa Scharborough
she/her
- By day I… weekdays I am a Resident Director
- By night I… Self care & Sleep!
- I teach because… I enjoy student engagement and aiding in our mutual learning.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I love the content of the class and enjoy working with first year students.
- Something that makes me laugh is… comedy movies
- When I want to relax, I listen to… R&B, Jazz, Neo soul, acoustic covers.
- A song that energizes me is…The Renaissance album by Beyoncé.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… Doing things that I love! Performing, learning, presenting, teaching, napping and much more!
Courtney Holder
she/her/hers
- By day I… think about, dialogue, support, and facilitate classes, experiences, and opportunities for students to develop as socially responsible leaders, take social action on the things that matter to them, and help make our communities even better. (aka directing the Leadership & Community Service-Learning office at UMD).
- By night I… run/walk/other workout, read for fun, cook a lot, spend time with friends exploring DC, and foster rescue dogs!
- Something that makes me laugh are… puns, videos of dogs doing funny things, and videos of my niece giggling.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… outside in nature (hiking, walking, biking).
Daria Powell
she/her
- By day I… am a graduate assistant at BSOS and a summer intern with BioFIRE
- By night I… am reading or rewatching comfort shows on Hulu
- When I want to relax, I … go on walks in my neighborhood
Isabelle Van Benschoten
she/her/hers
- By day I… am a sleep deprived Environmental Science MS student in the Soil Chemistry & Biogeochemical Interfaces Lab.
- By night I… am a hiking, live music-seeking, adopted cool uncle of my friends.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I want to give other people the tools to not only think differently but also encourage others to do the same.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Collide by Redhorizon.
- A song that energizes me is… Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… in a forest!
Jaden Mikoulinskii
she/her
- By day I…am working towards earning my Master’s of Arts in Higher Education and preparing for the next step in my journey as a professional in our field.
- I teach because…I want to develop my skills as a communicator, an academic, and as a practitioner looking to improve the student experience when transitioning into higher education settings.
- When I want to relax, I listen to…Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding.
- A song that energizes me is…Tragedy by the BeeGees!
- I’m most in my element when I’m…with my wonderful partner, Mengcha, and listening to my spotify playlists.
Jesus Ramos Miramontes
he/him/el
- By day I… help create an impactful living experience in one of the residence halls.
- By night I… play games of a wide variety with friends while also watching popular TV shows, movies, youtube videos, or tiktok/instagram reels.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Twice on repeat.
- Two songs that energize me are… Likey and More & More by Twice.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… hanging out with my friends on Discord or in person.
Jordan Adams
he/him/his
- By day I… serve as a Community Director for the North Hill Community on campus.
- By night I… enjoy watching Netflix, cooking, and going to a nice happy hour in the city.
- I teach because… I enjoy interacting with students, especially first-year students.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I previously taught a few years ago and I missed it so much!
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Kaytranada, Beyonce, or Jazz Music
- I’m most in my element when I’m… having a good morning by working out and having good coffee and breakfast!
Karla Monroy
she/her/ella
- By day I… am a pre-college program assistant helping high school students and their families get oriented to UMD for the summer.
- By night I… am a master’s student studying higher education.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I am passionate about active learning and I want to learn more about design thinking.
- Something that makes me laugh is… my mom, she’s one of the funniest people I know.
- A song that energizes me is… West Coast by Lana Del Rey.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… having my grande hot chai from starbucks.
Leslie Krafft
she/her
- By day I… manage the TerrapinSTRONG onboarding program.
- By night I… read, cook, watch TV, do water fitness and spend time with my dogs and family.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I have learned so much about design, and I love sharing it!
- A song that energizes me is… My Chick Bad by Ludacris.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… sitting on my deck painting with a Diet Pepsi and my dogs basking in the sun beside me.
Louisa Nkrumah
she/her/hers
- By day I… am a Learning Experience Designer in the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) and I help instructors with all things related to course design and effective teaching practices.
- By night I… am a doctoral student at Towson University, and I also make time for book clubs, baking, Zumba and Pure Barre classes.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I love the process of design thinking and I enjoy any opportunity to teach students, get to know them, and learn from/with them.
- I’m most in my element when I’m…spending time with my family and friends, baking, or teaching and learning in any environment.
- A song that energizes me is… Just Fine - Mary J. Blige.
Markell Saunders
he/him
- By day I…am the Resident Director for Centreville Hall located in the Cambridge Community
- By night I…am a gym enthusiast, tv show addict, social media analyst and night owl
- I teach because…I enjoy being able to offer different experiences in the classroom to aid students in their approach to challenge problems and think critically and see their growth and development
- Something that makes me laugh is…social media videos, memes, and family guy
- When I want to relax, I listen to…90’s R&B slow jams, jazz, rap, and classical music
- A song that energizes me is… Lose yourself by Eminem!
Miriam Fraga
she/her/ella
- By day I… am the Program Manager for the Carillon Communities.
- By night I…love cooking, reading, crafting, and watching bad movies.
- I teach because… I love connecting with students and being a part of their development.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… acoustic versions of pop songs.
- A song that energizes me is… Grrrls by Lizzo, but really anything by Lizzo energizes me.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… able to be creative.
Mitch Wooley
he/him
- By day I… serve as the Resident Director for Cumberland Hall.
- By night I… enjoy watching anything on streaming.
- I teach because… I enjoy interacting with students outside of my usual capacity.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I want to connect with our Residential Students in a different way than I normally am able.
- Something that makes me laugh is… kids using curse words, but being clueless on the meaning.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Bad Bunny.
- A song that energizes me is… My Shot from Hamilton.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… with close friends.
Nikki Newman
she/her/hers
- By day I…work as a Resident Director in Prince Frederick Hall.
- By night I…Like spending time with my partner and watching my favorite show Bones!
- I teach because…I love interacting with students!
- Something that makes me laugh is…my partner and hanging out with my friends!
Sage Burch
they/she
- By day I… listen to audiobooks while going for walks.
- By night I… play video games to relax.
- I teach because… I want to share my knowledge with others and connect with students.
- Something that makes me laugh is… Bob’s Burgers.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… outside.
Tami Kopischke Smith
she/her/hers
- By day I… design learning experiences to evoke curiosity, enhance learning, and promote wellbeing through the Science of Learning and Habits of Being (I lead the Learning Success Team of TLTC).
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I love learning from students and sharing in the exhilaration of Design.
- Something that makes me laugh is…when young children speak the truth that adults either don’t see or won’t admit.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… practicing yoga, learning something new, scuba diving, or cooking with my family.
William (Theo) Nichols
he/him/his
- By day I… Resident Director for DAQSS.
- By night I… Mixologist , Gallup’s Strengths Coach , Painter, Gamer, Cook.
- I teach because… I enjoy the opportunity using my strengths to help student grow holistically, and additional income to fund my lifestyle.
- Something that makes me laugh is…Funny Tiktoks.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Hip hop Lofi.
- A song that energizes me is… Mr. Mister by B.O.B.
- I’m most in my element when I’m…Traveling , In the morning, when I've had a great night's rest!
Tion Taylor
he/him/his
- By day I… am a Community Director in the Denton Community.
- By night I… love to play tennis, watching Women’s Basketball, catch up on the news, watch my favorite shows and on a good night-cooking.
- I teach because… I enjoy seeing and interacting with students outside of the residential setting.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… like students, I need to feel a sense of belonging to the institution I work at and this opportunity allows me to continue to achieve that while also helping first year students navigate their collegiate experience.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Hamilton soundtrack or R&B.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… exploring different/new things, adventure (travelling).
Tony Randall
- By day I… Serve as Assistant Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Division of Student Affairs.
- By night I… Am Husband, Soccer Dad and Irrational Fan of UMass Basketball.
- I teach because… It’s another way to have impact.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I LOVE what the course teaches students.
- A song that energizes me is… Souls of Mischief “93 ‘til Infinity”.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… When I am home with my family.
Veronica Vaisman
she/her/hers
- By day I… am pursuing a Master’s Degree in Higher Education, advocating for others, and trying to make others smile.
- I’m teaching IDEA101 because… I love Carillon’s mission of big ideas, promoting creativity, and problem solving.
- Something that makes me laugh is… The black squirrel with an orange tail that lives in front of the Lee Building on campus.
- When I want to relax, I listen to… Cat Stevens, Morning Has Broken.
- I’m most in my element when I’m… Baking, reading, or thrifting.