Building Trust and Breaking Barriers: An Interview with Nicole Capehart, UNM Online Teacher of the Year 2025
May 20, 2025 - Online
Each year, the University of New Mexico's Faculty Senate Teaching Enhancement Committee honors a faculty member who exemplifies outstanding teaching in distance education, recognizing excellence in online pedagogy, student engagement, and inclusive course design. The Online Teacher of the Year Award recognizes instructors who not only master the art of online teaching but also center their students in every decision they make, from course design to community building.
This year, the 2025 award was presented to Nicole Capehart, a Lecturer in the Anderson School of Management, whose student-first approach and passion for accessible education have left a meaningful mark on her department and the university as a whole.
Nicole teaches multiple courses across undergraduate and graduate programs, many of which have received Golden Paw certification — a UNM designation that recognizes exceptional quality in online course design. Those certifications have helped her earn a reputation for going above and beyond. She also reviews courses for the Golden Paw process and is a former Student Experience Project Fellow, further emphasizing her commitment to continuous improvement and inclusive learning.
Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Nicole to talk about her teaching philosophy, her journey to UNM, and what this award means to her.
Interview with Nicole Capehart
Ellie Walton: Nicole, congratulations on being named UNM 2025 Online Teacher of the Year! Tell me about your background. What brought you to UNM, and what do you currently teach?
Nicole Capehart: Thank you! I'm incredibly honored.
I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus in Human Resources and later received my master's degree from the Anderson School of Management, here at UNM, with a dual concentration in Organizational Behavior and Strategic Management and Policy.
Right now, I teach several online courses, including: MGMT 562 – Organizational Change Consulting, MGMT 568 – Leadership and Team Dynamics, MGMT 306 – Organizational Behavior and Diversity, MGMT 308 – Ethical, Political, and Social Environment, MGMT 498 – Strategic Management. I also teach MGMT 506 – Managing People in Organizations, and MGMT 398 – Career Management, both of which are Golden Paw certified!
Beyond teaching, I've also served as a Student Experience Project Fellow, and I regularly review courses for the Golden Paw certification process, both of which have been major influences on my teaching.
Ellie: You've worn many hats at UNM — from academic advisor to instructor. How have your experiences outside of the classroom shaped your online teaching style today?
Nicole: I've been lucky to experience nearly every part of the student journey. I've been a student, an advisor for transfer and BBA students, and even graduate students. That broad perspective has given me a holistic view of what students face just to get to class. I've worked with students managing stress, trauma, finances, and more, yet they still showed up. That kind of resilience shapes how I teach—My teaching is built around removing barriers, not adding them: if a student is here, that's already a win.
Ellie: That perspective is really reflected in your courses, especially in how you design them. You've completed several trainings and received multiple credentials in online course design through the UNM Online Course Development Group. How have these trainings and your graduate work influenced the structure and delivery of your online courses?
Nicole: I'm so grateful for the trainings and programs I've completed—they've been true game-changers. When I started incorporating best practices into my courses, I saw the impact immediately. A well-organized course can really help students feel safe, supported, and confident right from the start. Now, I focus on universal design for learning (UDL), exceeding accessibility standards, and creating an experience that builds community. I want my students to feel a part of something bigger—even in a fully online setting.
Ellie: You were also part of the initiative to develop a Master of Science in Human Resource Management at UNM. How do you bring real-world applications and experience into your online courses?
Nicole: I was part of a team exploring the MS in HR program, and while it didn't launch, it was a valuable experience. I learned how much students crave coursework that applies to their lives right now, not in five years or just for theory's sake. In Organizational Change Consulting, for example, my students complete real consulting projects at their workplace. And, if they're not currently working, I connect them with a small business client. This kind of hands-on, real-time application builds confidence, and I've had students tell me their work in that course got noticed by and led to great feedback from their managers. Those are the kind of wins I truly love hearing about.
Ellie: You've also led efforts to help students develop career-ready skills, including revamping the Anderson School’s social media strategy. What strategies do you use to build trust and community in your online classes?
Nicole: This is my favorite part of teaching! I start with building a foundation of trust. As I mentioned, having a well-designed course that is student-centered and accessible is a start. I make it a point to join all the introduction posts and take notes on what students share, so I can follow up later and show them that I'm listening.
We use "just-for-fun" discussion boards, and I offer extra credit for connecting with classmates. Around weeks 4-6, I email each student individually and also reinforce a strong growth mindset. It may sound like a lot, but it often opens the door to ongoing and meaningful connections with my students.
I also fully embrace my "cheesy mom vibes." It's corny, but it works! It always tends to stick, and pretty soon, students start doing it too — they start cheering each other on! That's when I know the community is taking shape. And through it all, I always center the students in everything I do – learning from my time as staff, students are facing huge obstacles and my job is to support them around or over those obstacles, not make the obstacles bigger.
Ellie: You mentioned earlier that you also review courses for the Golden Paw process. What have you learned from collaborating with other instructors across UNM, and how have they influenced your teaching?
Nicole: I've been so lucky to work with the UNM Online team and the Center for Learning and Teaching (CTL), so I have a lot of great relationships with other online instructors around the university. By reviewing courses for the Golden Paw certification, I get to be part of a team that is passionate about the online experience for students and I owe so much of my learning to them. I’m also lucky enough to work with amazing colleagues at Anderson who are generous with their time and knowledge.
All of these interactions and experiences have given me insights into the creative, thoughtful ways instructors are thinking about online education. I always learn something new I want to incorporate in my classes by working with my colleagues!
Ellie: Let's talk about life outside of teaching. When you're not designing courses or grading papers, what brings you joy outside of the classroom?
Nicole: My family! I also love reading for fun. Right now, I'm reading a book called Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone — a great whodunnit mystery!
And then there are my dogsI (Ask my students how much I talk about my dogs, ha!). When I have a free minute, I love relaxing with a good movie or binge-worthy TV show!
Ellie: You've taught a number of accelerated 8-week courses. From your perspective, what do you think online students need most to be successful — especially in that format?
Nicole: Two big things: time management and a growth mindset.
I try to model and teach both in my classes. One of my favorite phrases is "luxuriate in the power of yet" — you may not have the grade you want yet, but that doesn't mean you won't. Staying motivated and intentional is half the battle in an accelerated course, and I want students to know that progress matters more than perfection.
Ellie: Some still view online education as less rigorous or engaging than in-person learning. What do you feel is missing from the broader conversation about online learning, and how do you address those concerns in your own courses?
Nicole: I think we sometimes confuse rigor with unnecessary barriers. Just because something is hard doesn't mean it's effective, and just because something is accessible doesn't mean it's easy. Online learning requires immense motivation, time management, and independence — more than people realize. The old idea that online classes are "easier" misses how demanding they really are. I try to bring the energy of an in-person class to my online ones, using active learning adapted for a digital space.
Ellie: What's one thing you want other instructors developing online courses to understand about building successful, inclusive online learning environments?
Nicole: It's essential to view your course from multiple perspectives and ask what voices or needs you might be missing. I don't personally have hearing or vision impairments, but some of my students do, so I plan for that and ensure my courses are accessible. I also try to write clear, specific instructions, which especially supports neurodiverse learners.
Most importantly, I treat students as learning partners. Their lived experiences enriches our classroom and makes the learning deeper for everyone. The more I center their voices, the more meaningful the learning becomes — for all of us.
Ellie: Last question — is there anything else you'd like to share about your students, the impact of this award, or your vision for online learning at UNM?
Nicole: Can I say I have the very best students? Every semester, I am so impressed as I get to know their stories and see what they are working towards. I love it when I get to see students progress from our undergraduate program to our graduate.
This award is incredibly meaningful to me. I'd be doing this work with or without recognition but being honored this way is humbling. I'm so grateful to be included among such an inspiring group of educators. I'm just really thankful for the support I've received through this award.
Ellie: Thank you for taking the time to share your journey, the work you do, and the meaningful impact you continue to have on your students and colleagues. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, and I look forward to seeing you again!
Congratulations once again to Nicole Capehart, UNM's 2025 Online Teacher of the Year.
Her thoughtful, student-centered approach to teaching exemplifies the best of online education. As online learning continues to evolve, educators like Nicole remind us that intentional connection and creativity are just as important as content.
To learn more about UNM's online programs and explore courses taught by outstanding instructors like Nicole, visit online.unm.edu.
UNM Online’s Student Success Specialists are ready to support you. Call 505-277-9000 or email online@unm.edu. Join them on Zoom for Virtual Advisement Hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Meeting ID: 967 7118 3893.
