Instructional Design and Course/Program Development
Implementing best practices in program and course design to expand enrollment and student choice, through online, blended, HyFlex and technology-enhanced learning environments.
STELAR
Strategic Transformation in Education, Learning, And Research
Transforming Teaching & Learning
STELAR promotes transformative learning by engaging faculty to develop teaching practices through intentional application of technologies, new course delivery methods, and emerging research, as well as by collaborating with STELAR partners to develop systemic supports so that our St. Thomas innovation has sustainable impact.
STELAR OneStThomas
Contact STELAR
Email: stelar@stthomas.edu
Phone: (651) 962-7835
In St. Paul:
O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library (LL 20)
In Minneapolis:
Terrence Murphy Hall (TMH 440)
Phone: (651) 962-7835
In St. Paul:
O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library (LL 20)
In Minneapolis:
Terrence Murphy Hall (TMH 440)
Popular Articles from Tommie Tech Services
Follow these links to learn more about the most common instructional technology questions and innovative solutions from the STELAR team at St. Thomas.
Academic Technology & Innovation
Our Service Areas
Instructional technologies and instructional design resources that directly support teaching and learning. This includes consulting on course design, technologies for courses, assessment and learning analytics, media recording and lecture capture, student response systems, training and student digital orientations and badge development.
Instructional Technologies
Managing robust instructional technology, media and related systems in support of learning and instruction.
Digital Learning Success & Badging
Applying Canvas and other instructional technologies to extend knowledge, skills and digital competency development opportunities online.
Research Computing & Emerging Technologies
Applying computing resources to support research and amplify the findings, and support use of emerging technologies (such as VR).
Classroom & AV Technologies
Existing campus audiovisual systems allow instructors to use multiple input and output video sources such as a dedicate classroom PC, laptop and document camera.
Video Studios & Instructional Media
STELAR members can provide guidance and tools for media production that enable instructors to develop audio and video presentations.
STELAR Project Showcase
Take a look at some of the innovative projects we have underway in STELAR, working closely with faculty and other campus partners.
VR and Bodyswaps
Bodyswaps is a skills development platform created for higher education. With modules in DEI, leadership, interview skills, healthcare and more, students who experience Bodyswaps content report feeling more confidence going into difficult conversations.
Badging and Microcredentials
Academic programs that want to ensure student skills or competencies are realized can consider adding badges to courses, such as the engineering lab safety badge that is required before students may work in the labs.
TommieBot 1.0
ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI are presenting opportunities, as well as threats, to higher education. One of the projects underway is the development of our own chatbot, TommieBot, to provide a conversational interface to university content.
Faculty can attend a Lunch and Learn session this Spring, or join the ITS Learning: Book Club to explore ongoing conversations about generative AI at St. Thomas.
Digital Accessibility: It’s About All of Us
Our Digital Accessibility definition: “All people, including people with disabilities and those using assistive technology, can find and use digital content, technologies, and electronic communications.” How are you ensuring that your digital content is accessible to all learners?
Technology News
February 20, 2026
In the News: Jena Zangs on AI Safety Within Academic Institutions
Jena Zangs, chief data and AI officer at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with University Business about different methods to mine AI for insights safely. As AI emerges and becomes a tool used in academia, Zangs noted that AI users should summarize documents and records containing sensitive information before uploading the information for analysis… The post In the News: Jena Zangs on AI Safety Within Academic Institutions appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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January 13, 2026
In the News: Jena Zangs on Using Data to Improve the Student Experience
Jena Zangs, chief data and analytics officer at the University of St. Thomas, was featured in EdTech magazine discussing how the university uses data to better understand and support students throughout their academic journey. In a Q&A, Zangs explained how predictive analytics, transparency and emerging tools such as AI-assisted advising help personalize the student experience, improve retention… The post In the News: Jena Zangs on Using Data to Improve the Student Experience appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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December 16, 2025
In the News: Jonathan Keiser on AI Enablement and Innovation in Higher Education
Jonathan Keiser, associate vice president for AI enablement and innovation and chief academic technology officer at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with WCCO Radio host Vineeta Sawkar about how colleges are responding to artificial intelligence, including classroom policies, faculty guidance and preparing students for an AI-enabled workforce. From the conversation:Sawkar: Jonathan, congratulations on this… The post In the News: Jonathan Keiser on AI Enablement and Innovation in Higher Education appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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December 12, 2025
Training Ethical, Technologically Fluent Lawyers for an AI-Driven Legal World
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping nearly every profession, including law. To explore its evolving impact, the University of St. Thomas School of Law hosted a panel discussion titled Training Tomorrow’s Lawyers: AI and the New Apprenticeship. The panel brought together local judges, attorneys and technologists to discuss how AI is changing the legal profession,… The post Training Ethical, Technologically Fluent Lawyers for an AI-Driven Legal World appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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October 17, 2025
Can AI Solve Iran’s Dire Water Crisis? Global Research Has the Answer
Iran is running out water. But artificial intelligence is providing solutions, according to research from University of St. Thomas Professor John Abraham and his Iranian colleagues. They have partnered on 50 studies over six years to provide solutions to address the crisis. Abraham has co-authored two studies with Dr. Farzin Salmasi, a water engineering professor at… The post Can AI Solve Iran’s Dire Water Crisis? Global Research Has the Answer appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.