NASAGA Member of the Month: Carolyn Noe

Every month, NASAGA highlights one of its members who is doing fantastic things. December’s Member of the Month is Carolyn Noe, EdD, Senior Director of PK-12 Programs at the Institute for Health Innovation, Northern Kentucky University, and Founder of Super Heroines, Etc (SHE).

What kind of work do you do?

I run the PK-12 Pathway Programs at the Institute for Health Innovation at Northern Kentucky University. Our programs include visits to the Cadaver Lab for high school students, middle school career exploration, summer camps, and more! On the side, I run Super Heroines, Etc., a nonprofit focused on advocating for equity and representation in fandom.

Why are you a NASAGA member?

At the conference, I realized that one of my plans wasn’t so far-fetched - this is a community of folks who innovate and try new things. I wanted to be part of it!

What’s your favorite NASAGA memory? 

I really enjoyed playing Making History at the last NASAGA conference. It’s a game I kickstarted, and seeing it in action felt right. 

NASAGA’s theme for the 2025 Conference was “A Path to Playful Learning.” What does “Playful Learning” look like in your space?

For me, it’s all about iteration - to try something out and see if it works, then try again and see if it improves. I am thinking about this through my own game, Spoonies, and the work I do with SHE, as well as how I’m revising and changing a summer camp program at work.