Travis N Thurston, PhD
Executive Director
Center for Empowering Teaching Excellence
Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President
Education
PhD, Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Leadership,
Utah State University, 2020 Dissertation
MET, Educational Technology & Online Teaching,
Boise State University, 2012
Graduate Certificate - Online Teaching, Boise State University, 2012
BA, History Teaching and Coaching,
Utah State University, 2009
Contact Information
Office Location: Logan Campus, Distance Education 101A
Phone: 435-797-4950
Email: travis.thurston@usu.edu
Profile: LinkedIn | Google Scholar
Additional Information
Faculty Support Areas
Instructors should contact Dr. Thurston for support with:
- Publishing and writing support:
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning article support
- Instructional innovation and course design:
- Exploring generative AI and emerging technologies in teaching
- Implementing gamification and alternative assessment models
- Integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles into teaching
- Documenting teaching effectiveness:
- Framing digital badges for teaching excellence documentation
Bio
Dr. Thurston is the founding director of the Center for Empowering Teaching Excellence in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at Utah State University. Travis earned his Master of Educational Technology degree from Boise State University, and earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with focus on Instructional Leadership from Utah State University. His teaching and scholarship center on digital-age teaching, instructional design approaches, and creating autonomy-supportive learning environments. He publishes interdisciplinary studies on the scholarship of teaching and learning, and is the production editor for the Empower Teaching Open Access Series.
Teaching & Research Interests
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- Instructional Design
- Online Discussions
- Digital Badges
- Gamification
Courses Taught
- Foundations of Curriculum (TEAL-6150)
- Classroom Motivation & Management (SCED-5100)
- Technology Integration & Innovation for Teachers (ITLS-5500)
- Instructional Leadership: Inst. Strategies for Diverse Learners (TEAL-6280)
- Data Based Decision Making for School Leaders (TEAL-6540)
- Intro to Methods, Planning, Assessment, and Technology (SCED 6270)
- Internet Development (ITLS 5265/6265)
