Dr. Susan Finley

Welcome, Faculty! Creating accessible online courses can seem intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. As an Accessibility/UDL Faculty Ambassador, I am here to support you.  It’s important to me to foster engaging, accessible, and equitable learning environments that support the success of all students. I have been an Associate Professor in the Counseling Department at SMC since 2013. With teaching experience across community colleges, undergraduate, and graduate settings, I have taught online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses at Santa Monica College, Dutchess Community College, Pepperdine University, and Pace University. My expertise in online education is supported by certifications in Online/Distance Learning Teaching and Online Education Faculty Training (OEFT), as well as extensive experience in curriculum development and course design. As a curriculum developer, POCR reviewer, SOAR AI coach, Accessibility/UDL Faculty Ambassador, and presenter on online teaching and learning, I have worked extensively with Canvas and other educational technologies to create accessible, student-centered learning experiences grounded in best practices for equity and inclusion. I am also committed to advancing AI literacy in higher education and thoughtfully integrating AI tools into teaching, learning, and course development to enhance student engagement, digital fluency, and academic success. Through ongoing professional development in accessibility, trauma-informed pedagogy, and inclusive teaching practices, I continually strive to create learning environments where every student can thrive. I look forward to working with you on getting your course up to speed with accessibility.