Prior to becoming an instructional designer, Erin worked in the UNL Department of Entomology as an entomology lecturer, teaching several online undergraduate and graduate courses, and also served as academic advisor for the online MS in Entomology program. She began her UNL career in 2004 in the Pesticide Safety Education Program, where she developed and revised training materials for pesticide applicator certification and school integrated pest management initiatives. Her extensive experience with online teaching, curriculum and course development, advising, and supporting students informs her collaborative and practical approach to instructional design. Erin brings over two decades of experience at UNL to her new position, blending disciplinary expertise with a passion for innovative and engaging teaching practices.

In addition to her work as an instructional designer, Erin is currently a PhD student in Entomology at UNL, where her research focuses on student engagement and collaboration using an immersive Forensic Entomology alternate reality game (ARG). Her professional interests include game-based learning, gamification, playful and creative learning in higher education, and the use of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning.