As an instructional designer in the College of Public Health, April Elker spends her days moving between syllabus design, assessment design, Canvas builds, video production and faculty consultations — a mix of work that shifts by the week, which is exactly what she loves about it.
“It’s definitely a mix of work depending on what we have going on,” said Elker, recipient of UNMC’s Gold U Award. “Sometimes I’m editing videos. Sometimes I’m writing scripts. Sometimes I’m building Canvas spaces. It’s different every day.”
She was hired at the college to standardize its Master of Public Health core curriculum, a high-volume, accreditation-linked project she counts among her proudest. She’s since turned her attention to the Master of Health Administration program, building in more authentic learning opportunities to better prepare students for their professional paths, and she’s helping shape a new bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on rural public health.
Colleagues describe Elker as someone who keeps the student experience at the center of every decision, while also protecting faculty from burnout.
“I still remember all the experiences I had in my programs, and it helps me guide our faculty,” she said. “We’re going to have an exceptional student experience, but I also ask: “is this realistic and sustainable for our faculty to implement?”
That includes pushing faculty to rethink how they measure student learning. “It doesn’t have to be a 10-page paper,” she said. “You can do things like concept mapping, policy briefs, and other activities that students might actually do in public health practice.”
Elker has spent 14 years at UNMC, starting in alumni relations before moving through academic affairs and landing at the College of Public Health. Along the way, she says she’s had the opportunity to work with a number of exceptional women leaders — none more influential than Peggy Moore, her supervisor during seven years in e-learning.
“She helped me continuously grow in that role,” Elker said. “She’s actually who connected me with Dr. McMillan for my current role, so I’m just grateful for that. She’s why I am where I am.”
Accepting individual recognition still feels a little unusual to her. “All my projects are in collaboration with others,” she said. “I have a really wonderful team in the Office of Teaching and Learning, and really brilliant faculty partners.”