IE team in bobble head form

About Us

Innovative Educators partners with institutions of higher education to provide comprehensive online services for students, faculty & staff, and parents & families. With our expertise in student services, academic affairs, and online learning, we offer first-hand knowledge and support to help students succeed while aligning with the goals and mission of your institution.

Ready to learn more? Book a demo today!

Our Mission

Our primary goal is to provide the orientation, support, and training necessary to Inform & Engage, Inspire & Empower, and Instruct & Elevate.”

Through our online higher education solutions, we strive to enhance the learning experience and ensure that education remains engaging and accessible for all.

See the Innovative Educators’ Fact Sheet for more information.

Our Team

  • Val Kisiel Val Kisiel

    Val Kisiel


    • 20+ years of higher education experience
    • Natural born entrepreneur & strategist
    • Online course design? Yes, please!
    • Never met a club sandwich I didn’t like
    • Most likely to bet on anything
  • Erin Hoag Erin Hoag

    Erin Hoag


    • 30+ years of higher education experience
    • 2-yr & 4-yr, private, public & athletic programs
    • Who wants an Excel spreadsheet? Excel Addict!
    • Seen walking the streets of Boulder (no car)
    • Will challenge anyone to a competition
  • Melissa Durant Melissa Durant

    Melissa Durant


    • Go-to point person for webinars
    • Committed to making your webinar experience the best
    • Loves working with clients to design the dashboard of their dreams
    • Games anyone? You name it - I’ll play it
    • Lover of the label maker & all things organized
    • Empty nester
  • Wendy Archer Wendy Archer

    Wendy Archer


    • 15+ years in higher education
    • Communicating online daily
    • Cultivator of intellectual habits
    • Introvert + ADHD = Quietly Hyperactive
    • Often found down the rabbithole
  • Crystal Wills Crystal Wills

    Crystal Wills


    • 15+ years teaching ballet and contemporary dance
    • Have a billing question? I'm your gal!
    • I structure my day by cups of tea
    • Mom of two vibrant kiddos
    • Most likely to live in a tiny house
  • Will Hoag Will Hoag

    Will Hoag


    • Proud husband and father of two
    • Soccer moves specialist and USMNT diehard
    • Book drinker, beer watcher, and movie reader
    • Was an animation artist in a past life
    • Currently have an unhealthy relationship with board games
  • Natalie Hogg Natalie Hogg

    Natalie Hogg


    • 20+ years working in eLearning
    • Living the good life in California
    • Problem solver, troubleshooter, critical thinker 
    • Most likely to be making pro/con lists
    • Love tasting all types of food
    • Mommin' (to 2 girls) ain't easy
  • Meredith Janecek Meredith Janecek

    Meredith Janecek


    • Lifelong football fan (Gig 'em Aggies!)
    • All day coffee drinker
    • Experience in education ranges from first grade through higher ed
    • Passionate about finding unique ways to help students succeed
    • Loves getting to work with schools all over the country
  • Meg Foster Meg Foster

    Meg Foster


    • 20+ years in higher education (2yr and 4 yr)
    • Passionate about learning and sharing best practices for student success
    • Known to teach FYE courses 
    • Loves anything water but especially the beach
    • Happiest when giving webinars
  • Sean Hoag Sean Hoag

    Sean Hoag


    • All things technology
    • Willing to help in any way
    • Scuba anyone?
    • Loves traveling
    • Proud father of 2 boys
  • Ryan Troup Ryan Troup

    Ryan Troup


    • 10+ years of higher education experience
    • Enjoys being creative whenever possible
    • Never decaffeinated
    • Proud to call Central New York home
    • Always down to play a board game
  • Fred Scott Fred Scott

    Fred Scott


    • 15+ years of Higher Ed and K-12 experience
    • Loves visiting college campuses to help address institutional needs
    • Sports fanatic: Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox & Chicago Bulls
    • Parents to two college students and two Track & Field Jr. Olympians
    • Often found in front of a BBQ grill or smoker
  • Celeste Guarneri Celeste Guarneri

    Celeste Guarneri


    • 20+ years as a Student Life Professional
    • Faculty: FYE, Studio Art, and Design + Cultural Immersion Program
    • Painter by trade, but cook by passion
    • Competitive swimmer and mahjong player
    • Lover of cats and playgrounds
  • Katie Anderson Katie Anderson

    Katie Anderson


    • Dog Lover
    • Wanna-be-chef
    • Coffee addict
    • Ragin' Cajun
    • Loves traveling to conferences to meet new people!
  • Mark Hager Mark Hager

    Mark Hager


    • All things design and marketing expert
    • Jack-of-all-trades problem solver
    • Camping, offroading, and hunting enthusiast
    • PC gamer and board game player
    • Husband and father of two children and two Bernese Mountain Dogs
  • Theresa Chastain Theresa Chastain

    Theresa Chastain


    • 30+ years helping colleges and universities thrive
    • Passionate about student success and institutional growth
    • Love building trusted, long-term partnerships
    • Expert in higher ed and scalable strategies
    • Focused on real impact—people, performance, and progress
    • Outdoor enthusiast: hiking, camping, boating, and golf
    • Proud mom, wife, and Buffalo Bills fan! 🦬💙❤️

At Innovative Educators, we are dedicated to solving the challenges faced by institutions in the online higher education landscape. Partner with us to unlock the full potential of online education and pave the way for a successful academic journey.

Contact Us!

Innovative Educators

3277 Carbon Place

Boulder, CO 80301

Phone: 303.955.0415 | Fax: 1.866.508.0860 | support@ieinfo.org