Welcoming Associate Directors Samantha Hines and Grant Scribner at the Office of Academic Innovation

Sam comes to PSU with over twenty years of experience in higher education. She is fascinated by the ways in which students and faculty have adopted, and sometimes resist, emerging learning technologies, and she's excited to continue exploring this work in the digital learning environment at Portland State.

In her new role, Sam manages PSU’s academic technologies, works with faculty and OAI staff to find new and effective ways to teach in the university’s digital learning environment, and leads OAI’s Support Team to provide help for teaching with technology. Her work includes identifying and implementing innovative digital solutions to address teaching and learning challenges and continuously advance faculty and student success.

Sam holds a Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a PhD in Leadership from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati. Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with her two kids and her goldendoodle, Ruby, and co-chairs the Braver Angels civic alliance in SE Portland.

Grant Scribner is the Associate Director of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Portland State University’s Office of Academic Innovation. He helps faculty strengthen their teaching through evidence-based course design, meaningful assessment practices, and high-impact strategies that foster equity, belonging, and deep learning in every modality.

Before stepping into this role, Grant served as a teaching and learning consultant at OAI and led PSU’s Certificate in College Teaching program for graduate teaching assistants. He supported instructors through workshops, consultations, and faculty learning communities—helping both new and experienced teachers build confidence and develop effective learning experiences.

Today, Grant partners with faculty and departments across campus to make teaching more intentional, sustainable, and rewarding, with a focus on improving student learning and strengthening PSU’s teaching culture. Grant holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an M.A. in History from Temple University, and a B.A. in History from Haverford College. Grant's commitment to promoting equity in education has informed his research on pedagogies of historical violence, his work as a teacher educator, and his experience as a K-12 teacher.