Five Questions with Deenene Brewer

This month’s employee profile features Deenene Brewer, the active learning assessment coordinator with the Office of Assessment. Read about her background and current work with active learning in the Office of Assessment, and learn about her favorite things to do outside of the office. How does your reading hobby stack up to hers?

Deenene and her sister hiking a redwoods trail in Portland, OR.

Q – Can you tell us about your current role and responsibilities with the Office of Assessment and the Office of Active Learning? What does your day to day look like?  

A – My primary responsibility is collecting and organizing data related to the many initiatives under the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) umbrella. A large part of this is collecting, sampling, redacting, and training scorers to evaluate student artifacts each semester. I am also involved in other Assessment functions, like reviewing annual program reports, assisting with our Xitracs and curriculum mapping workshops, and producing our biannual newsletter. 

  

Q – What has your career path been like, and what led you to the Office of Active Learning?  

A – My career path has been a winding journey. My undergraduate and master’s degree (all from UGA – Go Dawgs!) are health related, which led me to become a secondary educator. As a high school teacher, I gained a lot of assessment experience and became passionate about active learning, which are the main factors that led me to the position I have now.  

 

Q – Are you working on any new upcoming programs/projects that you are excited about?  

A – Katie Burr and I are preparing to share some of our early active learning findings at the Active Learning Summit in February. I’m really looking forward to sharing what we’re seeing with the faculty and staff that have worked so hard to make our active learning initiative such a success for students! I began PhD coursework this semester in Grady’s Mass Communication program and I’m excited to use this opportunity to learn more about the intersection between assessment and communication. 

Deenene and her husband, JP, on a cruise to the Bahamas

 

Q – What do you like to do outside of the office? Are you involved in any organizations, or do you have any favorite hobbies?  

A – I’m an aunt to two nephews that live out of state (they’re in Army families being raised as Dawg fans!), so I spend as much time as possible visiting and adventuring with them. My favorite hobbies are hiking, traveling, and anything related to October-December holiday fun. I really loved traveling to New York City, and I’m always happy to be anywhere with a beach. 

 

Q – Do you have any fun facts your coworkers might not know about you?  

A – I would consider myself an avid reader. Last year I read 75 books and this year my goal is to read 50. (I’ve got 8 more to go!) Some day, I’d like to write a fiction series. My favorite genre is fantasy, so I’d like to write a fantasy series inspired by north Georgia. 


Empowering Student & Faculty Success

From providing student academic services to empowering teachers, the Office of Instruction is responsible for a wide range of initiatives that further advance the University of Georgia into the national spotlight as one of the top performing universities in the nation.

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