About Us
Staff Bios
Leadership
Jeff McCall, M.S., Associate Director for the Center for Academic Technologies
Bio: Jeff has worked at CSUMB since 2002 as an Instructional Technologist and Lecturer in Computer Science, and an Associate Director. He earned his M.S. in Management of Information Technology in 2005. Through these pursuits, Jeff has a gained perspective on integrating technology into teaching and learning. Now as the Associate Director of the Center for Academic Technologies, he has the honor of guiding strategy to improve faculty and student success. At home, he likes to tinker with old cars, build drones, and hike the sierras.
Digital Accessibility
Erin Foster, M.S., Accessibility Specialist
Bio: Erin Foster has worked in digital accessibility since 2016. They earned a B.A. in Printmaking from Fresno State in 2016 and an M.S. in Instructional Science and Technology in 2021 from CSU Monterey Bay. Their current work focuses on creating inclusive digital learning environments, with an emphasis on accessible document remediation. Outside of their professional role, they enjoy crochet, knitting, bird watching, and screen printing.
Instructional Design
Chris Beem, M.S., Senior Instructional Designer
Bio: Chris has been a lecturer at CSUMB in the Master’s in Instructional Science and Technology program since 2012 and a full-time Instructional Designer since 2013. He previously worked as an editor and technology project manager at CTB/McGraw-Hill, National Geographic School Publishing, and Cengage. He has his B.A. in Biology from UCSC and M.S. from CSU Monterey Bay. His hobbies include music, juggling, and advanced napping.
Heather Rougeot, M.S., Instructional Designer
Bio: Heather has over a decade of experience in higher education, working in instructional design, program coordination, and faculty and student support. She has worked at CSUMB since 2015, was one of the university’s founding students, earning both a B.A. in Liberal Studies and an M.S. in Instructional Science & Technology here. She has worked as a professional Instructional Designer since 2022. In her free time, she enjoys collecting pretty rocks, crafting, sewing, and spending time with her dogs and family.
Roman Friedman, Ph.D., Online Education Coordinator
Bio: Roman Friedman has worked in education for over a decade and is excited to join the CAT team. He earned his B.A. in Economics, M.Ed. in Education from Rutgers University, and completed his Ph.D. in Education Policy Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a concentration in Philosophy of Education. His research interests center on the intersection of ethics, emotion, media, and pedagogy in public education. Roman has previously worked and taught for the International Programs Office at the University of Illinois.