The LEAPS Steering Committee consists of members representing all UMB schools and plays a vital role in shaping and advancing LEAPS initiatives. The committee works to foster and promote educational scholarship across UMB and facilitates bi-directional communication between LEAPS and faculty in their schools. Committee members contribute to programming, educator development, and act as award and seed grant reviewers.
Senior Academic Innovation Specialist
Eric Belt, EdD, is a senior academic innovation specialist and researcher in the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). He conducts educational research and supports faculty, staff, and students in improving online teaching and learning. With a doctorate in educational technology from Boise State University, a master's in distance education and e-learning from the University of Maryland, University College, and a bachelor's in business administration from Towson University, Dr. Belt brings extensive knowledge and expertise to his field.
Having previously served as the director of learning technology at the College of Southern Maryland and the assistant director of e-learning at Howard Community College, Dr. Belt has exhibited a proven track record in leading teams and implementing strategic initiatives. He actively contributes to faculty development, online course development, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. He is an adjunct assistant professor in the Health Professions Education doctoral program, combining teaching experience with a diverse course portfolio. He currently serves as a leader, board member, chair, coordinator, and reviewer to various academic associations and initiatives. Adept in the use of data analytics tools, learning management systems, and media production software, Dr. Belt combines his technical expertise with his passion for advancing educational experiences to make an impact at UMB.
Director, Clinical Simulation Labs
Amy Daniels, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, CNE currently serves as the Director of the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Labs, SSIH Accredited site for Teaching and Learning. As an assistant professor, she provides simulation-based education in all clinical programs. Dr. Daniels has been a faculty member of the School of Nursing since 2012. In her role as simulation director, she collaborates with curriculum integration, faculty development in simulation, debriefing, and psychological safety. Dr. Daniels Research work focuses on Psychological Safety in pre-licensure nurses during simulation-based educational experiences. Dr. Daniels has provided mentorship to simulation research scholars on the topics of psychological safety, psychological harm, and instrument development.
Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research; Vice Chair of Academic Affairs; Co-director, Mental Health Program
Dr. Ehret completed her BS and PharmD degrees from the University of Toledo. She then completed an ASHP accredited residency in Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy at the Louis Stokes VAMC, after which she completed a Psychopharmacology and Pharmacogenomics Fellowship at Nova Southeastern University. After training she received her initial faculty appointment at the University of Connecticut and gained tenure during her stay there. While at the University of Connecticut, Dr. Ehret served as the Vice-Chair of the IRB, Director of Practices for the Center for Correctional Health Networks, and a faculty member for Project ECHO: Buprenorphine. Additionally, Dr. Ehret received her Masters in Clinical and Translational Research from the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Ehret is also a Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist.
Most recently Dr. Ehret has practiced at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital as their Behavioral Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. She has experience in treating the spectrum of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Additionally, she is President-Elect for the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) and serves as the Senior Editor on the Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Review Course.
Chief Learning Officer for PALLA and an Associate Professor in the Graduate School
Cara Felter is the Chief Learning Officer for PALLA and an Associate Professor in the Graduate School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). She earned a PhD in Health Professions Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Belmont University, and a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is board certified in Neurology and Pediatrics. Dr. Felter is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at the state and national level. Dr. Felter is engaged in educational research with projects spanning social determinants of learning, interview-based learning, and the role of patient-educators in health professions education. She has presented her work at the American Educational Research Association annual meeting, the Educational Leadership Conference, the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, and other scholarly venues. Dr. Felter advocates for building the next generation of health professions researchers and scholars by engaging students in the scholarship process.
Executive Director of Data & Educational Technologies
Assistant Professor in the Health Professions Education (HPE) program; Director of Research Operations and Data Analytics for the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy (PALLA)
Hyun-Jin Jun, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor in the Health Professions Education (HPE) program and Director of Research Operations and Data Analytics for the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy (PALLA) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) School of Graduate Studies (SGS). As an interdisciplinary scholar, she integrates public health, behavioral health, and health professions education in her work, driven by a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her research focuses on addictive and risk behaviors, behavioral health disparities, and the social determinants of health to inform culturally responsive interventions and workforce development strategies. With an extensive record of collaborative, community-engaged scholarship, her work has influenced policy, practice, and pedagogy in behavioral health education. Through her teaching, mentorship, and leadership in interdisciplinary research, she continues to promote innovation and health equity across diverse populations.
Associate professor; Director of the Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies
Howard "Jim" Kucher, DPA, MBA an associate professor and director of the Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies. An award-winning teacher and internationally recognized thought leader, he is the author of over a dozen books and articles on Social Entrepreneurship and has assisted over 100 area nonprofits and social enterprises in developing new models for meeting the needs of their constituents while increasing the sustainability of their organizations. Kucher earned a Doctorate in Public Administration with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship, as well as an MBA with a Marketing & Entrepreneurship specialization from The University of Baltimore. He holds a B.A. from Kean University and has also earned certification as a project management professional and a new product development professional. He has been recognized as a Baltimore Renaissance Seed Scholar, an Unsung Hero of Small Business, and a Fulbright Specialist Scholar in Social Entrepreneurship. His current research explores the field of Economic Theology and its practical application in faith based social enterprise.
Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in the Division of Periodontics
Se-Lim Oh, DMD, MS is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in the Division of Periodontics. As a clinician and researcher, Dr. Se-Lim Oh has been conducting several internally and externally funded clinical trials as a principal investigator. She is also mentoring postgraduate students who applied for competitive awards or fellowships with her research projects and her students won the awards. As an educator, she has been a course director for the second-year periodontics since 2012 and overseeing the preclinical education in periodontics. She has been also conducting several educational research projects. Her research team published systematic review papers on implantology.
Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
Jenny Owens was named the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) vice provost of academic affairs in April 2024. She previously served as associate dean of academic affairs and associate professor in the University of Maryland Graduate School as well as executive director of the Graduate Research Innovation District (Grid).
As an educator and scholar practitioner with a diverse career path in academia, Owens has a record of effective strategic planning, leadership, and management resulting in innovative new services and academic programs. Before becoming vice provost, she was instrumental in the Graduate School’s growth strategy and successfully launched over 20 self-sustaining graduate programs, responsive to the evolving needs of the health and human services workforce in the state. Owens further has experience in student and academic affairs, admissions and enrollment, and accreditation, and she enjoys building new ventures from the ground up through creative partnerships and with a commitment to quality.
Owens is a former Warnock Social Innovation Fellow, an alumna of the Johns Hopkins University Social Innovation Lab, and was named a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader. She actively contributes to research on health equity, health-related social needs, and health care access, focusing on housing. She co-leads an awareness and advocacy committee in a national housing organization.
Owens earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s in management and leadership from East Stroudsburg University, and a doctor of science degree in information and interaction design from the University of Baltimore. With experience teaching across in-person, online, and hybrid environments, she has taught graduate courses in leadership and communications, health science capstone, and human-centered design, among others.
Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine
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Clinical Instructor, Organizational Systems and Adult Health
My name is Kaitlin Shapelow and I’m delighted to introduce myself! I am a third-generation nurse, experienced in trauma and critical care, and currently serve as a full-time entry to practice nursing faculty member at UMSON while also practicing prn as an adult nurse practitioner at UMMC. In my academic role, I strive to bridge real-world clinical expertise with evidence-based teaching that prepares nursing students for the complexities of contemporary health care. I bring a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, student engagement, and curriculum development — particularly in areas that enhance critical thinking and clinical judgment. My work includes mentoring students, designing impactful learning experiences, and contributing to a culture of reflective practice and educational scholarship.
Executive Director for Faculty Development in the Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) in the University of Maryland School of Medicine; Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. Marey Shriver is the Executive Director for Faculty Development in the Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) in the University of Maryland School of Medicine and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Shriver supports the research and professional development of faculty, with an emphasis on supporting early-stage faculty. As Executive Director, she organizes, develops, and manages classes, seminars, and workshops designed to help investigators develop skills in scientific communication, grant writing, and scientific leadership. Specifically, Dr. Shriver teaches lectures and small, interactive writing courses to support faculty in scientific and grant writing. Additionally, she leads programming to support mentorship and peer support for faculty. Lastly, she co-leads the faculty development core for the NIH FIRST award, which aims to enhance and maintain a culture of inclusive excellence in academic research. Prior to joining CARTI she served as research administrator in the Office of Research Affairs in the School of Medicine. In this role, she generated reports to track funding trends and assisted faculty with identifying research collaborators and funding opportunities. She received her PhD in Molecular Medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Director of Tele-Behavioral Health Education, University of Maryland School of Social Work
Education and Training
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, [in progress 2019- ] Social Work M.S.W. Master of Social Work, Baylor University, May 2011, Concentration: Children and Families B.S.W. Bachelor of Social Work, Baylor University, August 2010, cum laude
Work Related Skillsets and/or Specialties
Director of the MSW Program at Shady Grove
Save the date! LEAPS 4th Annual Symposium - March 26, 2026 - SMC Campus Center
The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.
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