Penn State's online faculty: Spotlight on digital design and psychology

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State faculty who teach for Penn State World Campus are expanding collaboration, creativity, and student success through innovative online teaching.  

This month, World Campus is spotlighting an art educator and the faculty of its top-ranked online undergraduate psychology program. Anna Divinsky is an associate teaching professor who is transforming how art is taught online through her immersive digital learning environment. 

Anthony Nelson, Lisa Stevenson, Nhi Thai and Judi Withrow teach in the bachelor’s in psychology help students excel by creating, engaging, flexible and support online learning environments.

Anna Divinsky: transforming art education online 

Divinsky teaches integrative arts in the College of Arts and Architecture and is helping reshape how World Campus students learn art online. In her courses she said she aims to bring the energy and feel of an in-person studio to the virtual classroom. 

One of her most notable achievements is Penn State’s first massive open online course (MOOC) based on Introduction to Visual Studies, which reached tens of thousands of learners and helped expand accessibility to art education. Today, her work includes immersive virtual museum experiences, as well as interactive projects such as virtual exhibitions and digital critiques that engage students interactively even when learning online. 

Divinsky also serves as coordinator for the online undergraduate certificate in digital arts and the bachelor of design in digital multimedia design programs, where she works closely with students and faculty to elevate online creative learning. 

Her teaching emphasizes community building and connection, including one-on-one feedback, peer review, and technology-enhanced learning environments that support diverse learners. 

Through the use of a virtual museum and other innovative approaches, Divinsky helps ensure that online art students develop not only artistic skills but also creative and collaborative thinking across digital platforms. 

Learn more about Anna Divinsky on the World Campus website.  

Meet the faculty of the top-ranked online bachelor's in psychology program 

The online psychology program’s faculty helps students thrive in an online environment while maintaining academic excellence. Through innovative coursework and a strong commitment to the student’s success, the faculty emphasizes connection and engagement.  

Through World Campus, the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts offers a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in psychology. The faculty members who teach in this program bring diverse expertise to the program, creating a well-rounded learning experience for students. Anthony Nelson, program director, has helped expand opportunities for online students to engage in research, including virtual lab experiences that allowing them to learn psychological concepts in hands-on ways. This experiential learning helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. 

Personal connection is another goal of the psychology faculty’s approach. Lisa Stevenson prioritizes ongoing communication and feedback, using surveys and check-ins to better understand students’ needs and goals. Her teaching focuses on building confidence and helping students develop effective study strategies that support long-term success. 

Other faculty members emphasize reflection and real-world application. Nhi Thai encourages students to think critically about human behavior through courses in personality and positive psychology, while Judi Withrow integrates her clinical background into teaching and advising. Withrow also supports students outside the classroom through her involvement with the World Campus Psychology Club, helping create a sense of community among online learners. 

Together, the psychology faculty at Penn State World Campus demonstrate how collaboration and innovative online teaching can create a supportive and engaging learning experience for students pursuing a psychology degree. 

Learn more about the faculty of the psychology program on the World Campus website.