Staff Directory

Leadership

Lynn Barnett

Lynn Barnett

Executive Director, Academic Technology Solutions

Email: lynnb@uchicago.edu

Lynn joined the ATS team in January 2017 and became the Executive Director in June 2022. In her previous role as Director of Educational Technology Solutions, Lynn oversaw the transition from Blackboard to Canvas LMS. As Executive Director of ATS, she oversees all aspects of the unit, including the Learning Design team, AV Services & AV Engineering teams, Center for Digital Accessibility, and the technical team. She also is a part of the IT Services senior leadership team.

Lynn has been with IT Services since 2003, in various roles. Before joining ATS, Lynn held the role of Director of the Academic Information System (AIS) Project Management Office from July 2014 through December 2016. In this role, she led the implementation project to replace the former academic information system with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions. From 2003-2014, she was part of the Web Services team, where she served in many roles, ending as the Assistant Director prior to leading the AIS project. Lynn is also an alumna of the College, and graduated with an AB in Biological Sciences. She also earned a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Lynn is an avid knitter, so feel free to ask, “Did you make that?” if you see her wearing an interesting scarf/shawl/hat in the colder months.

Marlon Aguilar

Marlon Aguilar

AV Technology Manager

Email: marlon@uchicago.edu

Marlon Aguilar has been at the University of Chicago since fall of 2009. He has a Bachelors in Individual Studies with a focus on Music Business from Western Illinois University and a Master Recording Program technical degree from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, Arizona where he learned analog, digital, and sound design for film and gaming. Today, Marlon is focused on AV system design and classroom support for our growing media classroom footprint as our AV Technology Manager. Marlon oversees both our AV Services team and our AV Engineering teams, and he consults across campus on AV projects large and small. Outside of work, Marlon enjoys doing freelance music production, recording, and performing.

Allison Kallo

Allison Kallo

Learning Design Manager

Email: akallo@uchicago.edu

Allison is passionate about supporting instructors and their use of technology in teaching. She began collaborating with faculty at the University of Chicago when she joined IT Services in 2007, after working at Centrax, a Chicago-based instructional design firm. From 2015 to 2020 she continued her work with faculty at Booth School of Business, where she established a small Instructional Design team. She returned to IT Services in March of 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, to take up the role of Learning Design Manager, overseeing the very talented and focused team. Allison holds a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. 

Pat Kogos

Pat Kogos

Director of Digital Accessibility

Email: pkogos@uchicago.edu

Pat joined UChicago as the Director of Digital Accessibility in January 2020. She has a BS in Computer Science from Loyola University in New Orleans and an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University. Pat has been a software developer, small business owner, web content editor, and business analyst. She has spent many years advocating for people who are blind or visually impaired, serving as both a volunteer and as a board member of a nonprofit serving children with visual impairments. Pat is dedicated to digital inclusion, ensuring equal access to digital assets for everyone.

William (Bill) Rentz

William (Bill) Rentz

Audio-Visual Services Manager

Email: wrentz@uchicago.edu

Bill has been with the University of Chicago since 2006 and currently leads a team of 6 full-time staff and several student workers, supporting approximately 180 Registrar classrooms on campus.  The AVS team provides a wide range of technology, classroom and event support, consultations and media production services for the University community.  Bill’s past experience includes years as an audio engineer, TV news producer and then corporate media work at Accenture.  Bill holds an English B.A. and a master’s degree in telecommunications from Indiana University.  He also has a landscape design certificate from the Chicago Botanic Garden, with additional interests in all things technical, writing, photography, music (piano, guitar, trombone, sort-of violin) and spending time with his family.

Learning Design Team

Mohammad Ahmed

Mohammad Ahmed

Instructional Designer

Email: ahmed10@uchicago.edu

Mohammad Ahmed joined the University of Chicago in May 2016. He earned a BA in History from UIC and an MS in Information Systems from Northwestern University. Prior to joining UChicago, he held positions as a technology trainer, adjunct lecturer, technology consultant, and technology manager for Northwestern University, Oakton Community College, and MCC Academy. Mohammad has trained faculty as well as students in Canvas LMS, School Logic LMS, computer networking fundamentals and operating systems. Since joining the ATS, Mohammad has worked with the ATS for Instructional Design projects.

Yue Deng

Yue Deng

Digital Pedagogy Fellow

Email: dengyue@uchicago.edu

Yue Deng (they/them) is a PhD candidate in paleobiology, studying biotic interactions between two closely related clam groups over 400 million years of history. They have served as an instructional teaching assistant for evolution since their sophomore year of college, as well as for geology, ecology, and ancient Greek for shorter periods. Committed to enhancing the learning experience for undergrads university-wide, Yue hopes to ignite more conversations on educational technology through their position as a Digital Pedagogy Fellow.

Michael Hernandez

Michael Hernandez

Instructional Designer

Email: michaelhernandez@uchicago.edu

Michael joined ATS as an Academic Technology Analyst in May 2022. He brings a diverse background of experience in education, nonprofit, and corporate work. He has been a magazine writer, a tutor, a college instructor, a community college caseload manager, and more. As a former instructor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse at DePaul University and a program manager at the scholarship program One Million Degrees, Michael has spent much of his career seeking new ways to support student learning and success, often with the help of technology. Michael received his B.A. in English Education from Dominican University and his M.A. in English from DePaul University.

Thomas Keith

Thomas Keith

Instructional Designer

Email: trkeith@uchicago.edu

Thomas Keith earned his B.A. (Classics) from the University of Texas at Austin, and his M.A. and Ph.D. (Classics) from the University of Chicago. A former lecturer at Loyola University Chicago, he joined Academic Technology Solutions as a Digital Pedagogy Fellow in 2017, and began his current position in 2020. He has broad experience in designing and delivering workshops and working closely with faculty on issues pertaining to technology and pedagogy. His professional interests include academic integrity, collaborative work in the classroom, and artificial intelligence.

Kinley LaBerge

Kinley LaBerge

Digital Pedagogy Fellow

Email: mlaberge@uchicago.edu

With a passion for learning and technology, Kinley LaBerge is pursuing a Master of Arts at the Divinity School, where she studies Christian history. Kinley previously worked as the Student Supervisor of Tutoring and Reception at her undergraduate institution. In this position, she created online training programs, managed day-to-day operations, and provided academic assistance to ensure students could thrive. Now, bringing her background in student support and academic success to her role as a Digital Pedagogy Fellow at ATS, Kinley is eager to develop as a scholar while combining her interests in higher education and technology.

Dale S. Mertes

Dale S. Mertes

Senior Visualization Specialist

Email: dale@uchicago.edu

Dale S. Mertes has been at the University of Chicago since May of 2001.  He has a B.F.A in Media Arts and Animation from the Illinois Institute of Art.  Dale has worked closely with countless faculty and students on a vast variety of visualization projects.  His artistic and technical experience in 2D graphics, 3D animation, illustration, GIS, A/V, and publication have enhanced faculty research and educational materials. Dale’s ability to quickly learn and adapt creatively has allowed him to work with many different departments on campus in every division. Dale has also worked with faculty and doctors at the University of Chicago Hospitals creating 3D visualizations and medical illustrations for use in the classroom, patient education, and publication.  In addition to creating visualizations, Dale has taught illustration, graphic design, 2D animation, 3D animation, and instructional design at several colleges including the University of Chicago.

Joe Olivier

Joe Olivier

Senior Instructional Designer

Email: joeolivier@uchicago.edu

Joe Olivier enjoys collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to develop resources and support for teaching with technology. He is an experienced learning design professional. Prior to joining ATS, he worked as a Senior Instructional Designer at DePaul University, where he developed and facilitated faculty development programs on the foundations of teaching and learning, flexible course design, and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). He has taught undergraduate first-year writing, field studies, and career development courses as an adjunct instructor at DePaul. Joe received his master’s degree from DePaul and bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Originally from Louisiana, Joe prefers fried shrimp po’ boys to Italian beef sandwiches.

Cheryl Walker

Cheryl Walker

Instructional Designer

Email: cwalker25@uchicago.edu

Cheryl Walker is an Instructional Designer who joined the University of Chicago in April 2016. Cheryl has over fifteen years of experience working with various learning management systems in many facets of higher education.  Cheryl received her Bachelors in Communications from Alabama A&M University and attained her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University.  Prior to joining UChicago, she was an instructional designer for Council of Residential Specialists (CRS), Wiley Education Services, and Bankers Life.

Tessa Webb

Tessa Webb

Digital Pedagogy Fellow

Email: tessaw@uchicago.edu 

Tessa is a current masters student at the University of Chicago studying in the Committee of International Relations. She began working as a Digital Pedagogy Fellow in September of 2023, after her experience working as a TA sparking her passion for making academia more accessible and increasing engagement with content in the classroom and beyond. Tessa is particularly interested in how technology can be used to foster experiential learning and create opportunities for instructors to explore new ways to structure their courses. Throughout her undergraduate study in Political Science and Journalism at High Point University, Tessa competed as a distance runner, so if she isn’t working, reading or writing, she is probably running along the lakefront.

Technical Team

Patrick M. (Pat) Dunn

Patrick M. (Pat) Dunn

Senior Project Manager

Email: pdunn@uchicago.edu

Pat Dunn works as a Senior Project Manager for the Academic Technology Solutions group. He collaborates as a team member to design and manage audio-visual projects. These projects keep the university’s classroom teaching platforms refreshed with systems that are professionally installed with a discerning eye for emerging digital pedagogical function and unobtrusive aesthetics.

Pat has worked in numerous roles at the university since May of 1991.  Pat’s background encompasses a wide range of facilities-oriented technical skills and management experience. This experience includes new installations and ongoing maintenance in the fields of architecture, carpentry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and plumbing.

LaQuanda Hendricks

LaQuanda Hendricks

Application Administrator

Email: canvas@uchicago.edu

LaQuanda started her tenure with the University of Chicago in 2012.  She has over 17 years in IT related fields.  She received her B.S. degree in Technology Management with a minor in Computer Information Systems at Herzing University in Madison, WI.  Prior to being hired at the University of Chicago she worked for various companies as a Help Desk or Desktop Support technician.  She started out as a temporary employee on the Service Desk and was hired permanently in 2013 to support the LMS as an Academic Support Analyst.  In 2016 she became the Learning Technologies Application Administrator.  Her primary role is providing daily support as well as keeping the ongoing operations of the Learning Technology Applications stable.  She is persistent at solving pesky integration problems and patient when listening to vexing problems.  If you have ever called the University Canvas Support line or emailed canvas@uchicago.edu you have probably been helped by LaQuanda.

Gus Lacy

Gus Lacy

Media Application Specialist

Email: guslacy@uchicago.edu

As the applications and computing specialist for classrooms, he is responsible for the technical needs of students, staff, and faculty. Since starting his tenure here  in 1995, he has managed diverse spaces from a simple 12 seat computer lab to six labs with over 180 computers, to being tech support lead for the department of Medicine in the hospital. In addition to overseeing the newly transitioned vLAB service to the remote app service, Gus manages two physical labs. He is one of the principal administrators for the campus video management system, Panopto. After work hours you will find him most times in a rehearsal or performing as he is a part time musician and singer. 

Ifeanyi (Iffy) Okonma

Ifeanyi (Iffy) Okonma

Digital Media Administrator

Email: iokonma@uchicago.edu

For more than two decades, Ifeanyi Okonma has served the University of Chicago through its central IT organization. Starting as a summer job in high school, through college, and now, he has contributed to the availability, deployment, management, and education of available technologies and solutions on campus. He is currently the digital media administration expert in the team, and also shares administrative duties of the campus video management platform. Additionally,he has extensive experience in computer networking, AV technology support, networked video, and some desktop and server support.  When not on the clock, Ifeanyi enjoys spending time with his family and friends, working out, playing soccer, watching documentaries, and rooting for his favorite sports teams.

AVS Team

Nikita Campbell

Nikita Campbell

Multimedia Specialist

Email: nikita@uchicago.edu

Nikita Campbell has been at The University of Chicago in the AVS department as a Multimedia Specialist since March of 2001. Her main responsibilities include assisting faculty, staff and students with technology in the classroom, as well as handling all AVS finances and assisting with managing the AVS office. She attended Chicago State University where she studied Sociology. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling and exercising.

Mark A. Clark Sr.

Mark A. Clark Sr.

Learning Space Specialist

Email: mclark1@uchicago.edu

Mark has been at UChicago since 2018. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Film and Television Productions at Columbia College Chicago. He began his training as an Audio Visual Conference Technician while employed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. He furthered his skills while working in the Biological Science Department at the University of Chicago Medical Center as an Audio Visual Tech. Today Mark focuses on multimedia services and classroom support. When not working, he enjoys freelancing as a videographer for broadcast productions.

Clairissa Finnigan

Clairissa Finnigan

Bryan Lebeuf

Bryan Lebeuf

Learning Space Specialist

Email: blebeuf@uchicago.edu

Bryan A. LeBeuf joined ATS as an instructional designer in 2013. Bryan holds an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; upon graduation he was awarded the Toby Devan Lewis Fellowship as well as attending the Mana Contemporary New Media Residency program. Currently, Bryan uses modes of video production, design, and music composition to assist various projects throughout the University of Chicago organizations.

Andy Poulos

Andy Poulos

Multimedia Specialist

Sidney Salud

Sidney Salud

Learning Space Specialist

Center for Digital Accessibility

Jack Auses

Jack Auses

Accessible Web Technology Specialist

Email: jauses@uchicago.edu

Jack joined the Center for Digital Accessibility as an Accessible Web Technology Specialist in January, 2020. Prior to the CDA, he spent 14 years in the ITS Web Services group where he was a Webby Award-winning lead front-end developer supporting colleagues across campus on a host of web projects. In addition to digital accessibility and universal design principles, his professional interests include web performance, development standards, and reducing technical friction for users.

Emily Baker

Emily Baker

Accessible Technology Specialist

Email: emly@uchicago.edu

Emily joined the CDA in January 2020 after 31 years at the University, 28 in IT Services. She pursued her interest in digital accessibility over time in various roles, including Manager of Computing Clusters and Classrooms, Director of Learning Environments, and Acting Director of IT Communications. In addition to the CPACC, Emily holds ATACP (Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program) certification from CSUN (California State University, Northridge).

Thalia Kapica

Thalia Kapica

Senior Accessible Web Technology Specialist

Email: kapica@uchicago.edu

Thalia joined the Center for Digital Accessibility as Senior Accessible Web Technology Specialist in January 2020, after 8 years in College IT working as lead web developer, web designer, and co-manager of the College Editorial Team. With a passion for good design and usability, Thalia is especially interested in the inclusive nature of digital accessibility. In addition to the CPACC, Thalia holds a certificate in Essentials of Project Management from the University of Chicago Graham School.