OPEL Staff

Layne Morsch

Interim Associate Provost for Online, Professional, and Engaged Learning

Layne Morsch is a distinguished member of the faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield, where he serves as the Interim Associate Provost for Online, Professional, and Engaged Learning, as well as Professor of Chemistry in the College of Health, Science, and Technology. Since 2020, he has also directed the UIS Center for Faculty Excellence.

In 2022, Dr. Morsch collaborated with colleagues from Illinois Central College and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to start the Central and Southern Illinois Faculty Development Network, which fosters institutional connections and provides faculty with expanded access to professional development opportunities.

Dr. Morsch’s research centers on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and focuses specifically on online international collaboration between student partners. His work has been published in leading chemistry education journals, as well as in respected publications such as The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and The International Journal of Students as Partners. His research has also been featured in several books including Reading Across the Disciplines and Taking Stock 2.0: Transforming Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Dr. Morsch is an accomplished teacher with expertise in organic chemistry. He has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to teaching and online education with numerous awards, including the UIS College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching, the Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award and the Pearson Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching. Additionally, Dr. Morsch is an Apple Distinguished Educator, class of 2015, and has served as a faculty fellow and senior faculty fellow with the UIS Center for Online Learning Research and Service.

Gary Anderson

Business Administrative Associate

As OPEL’s Business Administrative Associate (BAA), Gary oversees all business-related activities for OPEL. After 24 years of management in the private sector, Gary began working for UIS in the Center for Academic Success in September 2018 before joining OPEL in August 2019. As a UIS alum, Gary is a big fan of UIS and UIUC sports, especially basketball and baseball. Besides cheering for the Prairie Stars and Illini, he is a huge fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. His free time includes watching his favorite sports teams and watching his two children participate in sports and other activities.

Email: gande2@uis.edu
Phone: 217-206-8434

Brenda Hunsley

Administrative Clerk

As OPEL’s Administrative Aide, Brenda is responsible for monitoring the operating budget of the unit, making travel arrangements, and purchasing for the unit. Brenda worked in CLAS Dean’s Office from 2007-2016 and the Campus Senate Office from 2020-2022. In her free time, Brenda enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, road trips with friends, and her rescue dog, Willow.

Email: bhuns2@uis.edu
Phone: 217-206-8233

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