Research

My research explores how we can design asynchronous higher education experiences that are more collaborative, inclusive, flexible, and grounded in real-world applications. Lately, I've been focusing on the intersection of generative AI, student agency, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), with a particular emphasis on how these tools and frameworks can support both career readiness and authentic student engagement of nontraditional and neurodivergent learners.  In the past, I've focused on experiential learning and internship program development, examining how reflection, corporate partnerships, and extracurricular involvement impact student outcomes. 

Across all of this, I’m driven by a commitment to disrupting one-size-fits-all education and amplifying access, voice, and choice for all learners.

Publications and Presentations

Pratt, D., & Pacheco, A. (Accepted for 2025, September 26). Amplifying Access & Agency: AI, UDL, and Neurodiverse Learning [Conference presentation, Digital Learning Day, University of Central Florida]. Fairwinds Conference Center, Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. (Accepted for 2025, July). Educational Consent in Online Leadership Education: Breaking Free from the One-Size-Fits-All Box [Poster presentation, Association of Leadership Educators Annual Conference]. San Diego, CA.

Pratt, D.M., Cadwell  Bazata, D., Pacheco, A., & Haslett, K. (2025, June). Control + Alt + Redesign: AI, Teaching, and the People Who Do Both. 2025 EDEN Digital Learning Europe Conference, Bologna, Italy.

Haslett, K., Bazata, D., Pratt, D., & Pacheco, A. (2025, May 28-30). AI-Enhanced Teaching: BIGS to the Future. Teaching and Learning with AI conference. Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. (Moderator), Guillemette, J., Izenwasser, J., Duffy, A., & Cespedes, K. L. (2025, May 5–7). Steal My Idea! [Conference panel]. UCF Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning Summer Institute, Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. & Conroy, A. (2025, April 14-16). Building a Collaborative Framework for General Education Assessment [Roundtable]. Assessment in Higher Education: Translating Assessment to Success conference. Gainesville, FL.

Haslett, K., Pratt, D.M., & Pacheco, A. (2024). AI-Infused Learning: Unlocking Career Potential. In deNoyelles, A., TRAIIL: Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning. Orlando, FL: University of Central Florida Center for Distributed Learning.

Pratt, D., Pacheco, A. (2024). Helping Students Navigate Career Opportunities with AI: A Tale of Bugs Bunny, Indiana Jones, and the Learning Brain. In deNoyelles, A., Bauer, S., & S. Wyatt (Eds.), Teaching Online Pedagogical Repository. Orlando, FL: University of Central Florida Center for Distributed Learning. 

Pacheco, A. (Invited Presenter). (2024, November 1). AI in Action: Transforming Education for Neurodiverse Students.  NEXT Conference, Akron, OH.

Pratt, D., Pacheco, A., Haslett, K. (2024, September 27). Navigating Careers with AI: Bugs Bunny, Indiana Jones, and a Focus on the Science of Learning. Digital Learning Day 2024. University of Central Florida. Orlando,FL.

Eadens, D., Pacheco, A., Haslett, K. (2024, July 22-24). Helping Students Crack the Career Code with GenAI. Teaching and Learning with AI conference. Orlando, FL.

Pratt, D., Pacheco, A., Haslett, K. [Poster] (2024, May 7). Navigating Careers with AI: Bugs Bunny, Indiana Jones, and the Brain. Summer Faculty Development Institute. University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. (Panelist) (2024, April 17). AI Transformations: Navigating the Future of Work and Career Pathways. Office of Public Policy Events. UCF Civil Discourse and Engagement.

Dubey, A., Pratt, D., Pacheco, A., & Haslett, K. (2024, March 26). Metamorphosis to Innovation: An AI Panel Discussion Highlighting Faculty eLearning Transmogrification (Panelist). Florida Online Innovation Summit. Orlando, FL.

Eadens, D., Pacheco, A., Haslett, K. (2023, September 24-25). ChatGPT as a Bridge from Student to Career. Teaching and Learning with AI conference. Orlando, FL.

Cruz, C., Farless, P., Johnson, E., Pacheco, A, Vaughn, J. (2022, February). Digital Portfolios. Teaching and Learning Day. University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL.

Johnson, E., Pacheco, A, Vaughn, J. (2021, November). Developing your E-Portfolios. Panel Presentation for Fulbright Scholars. University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. (2017, June). ePortfolios at UCF: Different Perspectives. Panelist for the QEP “What’s Next” ePortfolio Bootcamp event. University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. (2015, August). Embracing your Younger Self when Learning New Things. Keynote speech given at Convocation. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.

Dressier, S., Cedercreutz, K., & Pacheco, A. (2011). Strengthening Curriculum through Student Learning Outcome Assessment in Experiential Learning. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 23(2), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2011.10697005

Dressler, S., Cedercreutz, K., & Pacheco, A. (2010).  Strengthening curriculum through student learning outcome assessment in experiential learning.  Proceedings of the European Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education conference. 

Pacheco, A. (Panel Moderator), Bindell, J. (Panelist), & Eigenbrode, S. (Panelist) (2010, October).  “Best practices for the development of sustainable partnerships.”  Panel presented at Service-Learning Day, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.

Pacheco, A. (2010, May; 2009, May; 2008, May; 2007, May; 2006, May). “Internship best practices: Criteria for success.” Presented at the Summer Faculty Development Conference, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. 

Pacheco, A. (2010, May; 2009, May; 2008, May; 2007, May; 2006, May).  “Legal issues, forms, and contracts for internships.”  Presented at the Summer Faculty Development Conference, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. 

Pacheco, A. (2008, September).  “What to do with the t-shirt once you’ve been there and done that: Using reflection to inspire student growth.”  Presented at the annual Florida Association of International Educators conference, Orlando, FL. 

Pacheco, A. & Herold, J. (2006, May).  “Working with industry for strong internship partnerships.”  Presented at the Summer Faculty Development Conference, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. 

Pacheco, A. (2006).  Compensation issues surrounding experiential learning programs.  Proceedings of the centennial Cooperative Education and Internship Association conference. 

Pacheco, A. (2006, April).  “To pay or not to pay interns: That is the question.”  Presented at the annual meeting for the Cooperative Education and Internship Association, Cincinnati, OH. 

Kersenbrock, A., Pacheco, A., & Broeker, C. (2004, March).  “Operation paycheck: Lessons learned.”  Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the League for Innovation in the Community College, San Francisco, CA.

Barnett, L., Burgess, D., Beheler, A., & Pacheco, A. (2003, October).  “Working connections IT faculty development institute closes the IT instructional gap.”  Presented at the annual Conference on Information Technology of the League for Innovation in the Community College, Milwaukee, WI.

Pacheco, A. (1999).  “Using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.”  Presented at a meeting for Counselor Education doctoral candidates, University of Virginia.