Supporting Graduate Students' Academic and Professional Success
Our Staff
Our TADP Staff Welcomes You!
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Dr. Rachel Falkenstern Teaching Assistant Development Program Specialist Office: GradVantage Suite, Rivera Library, Room 159E Drop-in Hours: Tu. & Th. 2:00–3:00pm Pop by on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, or email me to schedule an appointment on zoom or on campus. Dr. Rachel Falkenstern joins TADP with 20 years experience teaching in higher education and a passion for working with students, inclusive pedagogy, and learner-centered teaching. She is the former director of the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence and tenured Associate Professor of Philosophy at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY. Before that she spent one year teaching at Penn State, after having completed her PhD in Philosophy at Temple University and her BA at Hunter College, CUNY. She loves food, hiking, animals, music, and spending time with family and friends. |
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Nadiya Keagy University Teaching Certificate Program Coordinator Drop-in Hours: Tu. & Th. 2:00–3:00pm, Rivera Library, GradVantage Suite, Room 159 Schedule an appointment here Nadiya Keagy is a 5th-year Ph.D. Candidate in Mathematics. Her current research focuses on generalizing interval decomposition results for persistence modules of freely and finitely generated R-modules. She has over four years of experience as a teaching assistant and instructor of record, as well over 10 years of experience in private tutoring. Nadiya has also received extensive pedagogical training through various programs, including the California Community Colleges Internship Program and the University Teaching Certificate Program, as well as through her work designing workshops for the Curriculum Design Institute and Teaching Careers Week. Driven by a deep commitment to educational excellence, she is passionate about teaching advanced-level pedagogical techniques that empower instructors in higher education to create inclusive, engaging, and research-informed learning environments. |
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Varshitha Ratna Chowdary Mandava TADP Administrative Assistant Varshitha Mandava is a 2nd-year MBA student specializing in Business Analytics, with a background in Accounting and Finance, and currently serves as the Recruitment Lead for the Women in Business Club at UCR. As a TADP Administrative Assistant, she supports end-to-end program operations, including workshop coordination, communications materials, data tracking, event logistics, website updates, and administrative support. Prior to joining the Teaching Assistant Development Program (TADP), Varshitha worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production, where she supported course instruction, mentored students, and managed classroom logistics. Her combined experience in academic support and student leadership strengthens her commitment to efficient operations and meaningful service to the TA community. |
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Laura Ashlock Consultant, Teaching Assistant Development Program Schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/ Laura is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Psychology department. Her research focuses on leader and follower identity, or the extent to which people see themselves as leaders or followers. She received a BA in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California, where she gained experience as an Academic Coach in the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity. Laura has served as a TA and Associate Instructor for numerous psychology courses and also participated in UCR’s University Teaching Certificate program. She is happy to chat about student engagement strategies, assessments, or anything else you’d like to try out to enhance your teaching!
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Ally Richards Consultant, Teaching Assistant Development Program Schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/arich065-ucr/30min Ally Richards is a 4th-year Plant Biology PhD Candidate in the Ecology lab of Dr. Exequiel Ezcurra. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Botany from Cal Poly Pomona and has experience TA'ing for general biology, upper division, and non-majors biology courses. She has received advanced pedagogical training through TADP's University Teaching Certificate program, where she developed strategies for creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. If you need advice on teaching strategies, managing labs and discussions, or enhancing student engagement, feel free to schedule a consultation with her. She is excited to support you on your teaching journey! |
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Jackson Caudle Consultant, Teaching Assistant Development Program Schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/jcaud004-ucr/30min Jackson Caudle is a 4th-year PhD Candidate in the Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) Department. His current research focus is on gene inactivation and how the loss of one gene can affect others, focusing on visual system of Cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) and how the loss of certain visual genes are key in their evolution. He has been TAing for over 3 years now and has taught classes from intro bio to upper division labs and has experience being a primary instructor. Jackson has participated in the University Teaching Certificate (UTC) program and has experience coaching as well. If you need advice on classroom management, engagement, or any other topic you can think of, please feel free to reach out. |