Meet Academic Technologies and Faculty Engagement

What We Do

Academic Technologies & Faculty Engagement Links to an external site. (ATFE) collaborates with faculty to create, implement, and support quality learning experiences at the University of Kentucky. Our departments are Learning Management, Distance Learning, Academic Technical Support Services, and Academic Multimedia.

Instructional design, development, and consultation
Learning systems management, support, and training
Blended, online, and hybrid course consultation
Instructional Technology training, application, and innovation
Workshops, training, and faculty support
Distance Learning Library Services
Multimedia consultation, training, and production
State authorization of distance learning programs
Teacher Course Evaluation software management and support
Illustration and animation services

Who We Are

Patsy Carruthers: Academic Technologies & Faculty Engagement: Senior Director
patsy.carruthers@uky.edu (859) 257-8110
Patsy Carruthers came to the University of Kentucky in 2007 from a career in teaching, instructional technology, and communications. She has a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Secondary English Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and English. Her background includes high school teaching, directing public television educational technology services, and working as a journalist.

Kelley Cruse: Team Lead - Learning Management, Instructional Designer
kelley.cruse@uky.edu (859) 257-9898
Kelley Cruse has worked as an Instructional Designer in Higher Education since 2009. Kelley has two degrees from the University of Kentucky’s College of Education: Master’s in Instructional Systems Design and a Bachelor’s in Middle School Education.

Miranda Hines: Team Lead - Distance Learning
miranda.hines@uky.edu (859) 257-8218
Miranda holds a Bachelor's of Science in Individual and Family Development from the University of Kentucky, a Master's of Science in Human Resource Education from the University of Louisville, as well as 22 years of experience in Higher Education. Her expertise is in organizational & employee development, management, and policy oversight.

Emily Woods: Compliance Coordinator - Distance Learning
emily.woods1@uky.edu (859) 218-6782
Emily Woods is the compliance coordinator for Distance Learning where she manages the State Authorization process and ensures that the University and its distance learning programs are compliant with state and federal regulations. Emily earned a B.A. in English from the University of Kentucky and a MSEd in Higher Education from the UK department of Education Evaluation and Policy Studies. In 2013 Emily was an English instructor in China at the Chengdu Sichuan University of International Studies. After returning to Lexington, she worked in Human Resources at UK and then became the Continuing Education Program Coordinator at the College of Nursing where she assisted with data management and accreditation for the program. Emily is originally from Lexington and loves the city! Her hobbies include music (piano and songwriting), reading, yoga, and coffee.

Tom Dolan: Team Lead - Academic Multimedia, Graphics Illustrator
tom.dolan@uky.edu (859) 257-5423
Tom has an AAS in Plant Science from SUNY Alfred, a BS in Biology (Plant Physiology/Mycology) from SUNY Syracuse and Syracuse University, and an MS in Medical and Scientific Illustration from Medical College of Georgia. He has worked at the University of Kentucky since 1999 and has created many visualizations (illustrations and animations) for journal submissions, classroom instruction, grant submissions, patent applications, conference presentations, and book chapters. Though the majority of Tom's clients are from the medical campus, he has also worked with main campus departments, including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Engineering, Equine, and many more.

Brett McDaniel: Team Lead - Academic Technical Support Services
brett.mcdaniel@uky.edu (859) 257-8263
Brett McDaniel has worked in Academic/Instructional Technology for 26 years, almost 9 years here at UK. He has an Associates degree in Computer Science from Northeastern Jr College, a Bachelor’s in Computer Sciences and a Master’s of Education in Instructional Media Design both from Asbury College (now University).

Frank Johnson: Learning Management Release & Deployment Coordinator
franklin.johnson@uky.edu (859) 257-9340
Frank has worked at the Customer Services Desk as a second level support tech, and prior to that he completed 20+ years of military service as an Information Systems Specialist in the US Navy.

Buddy Hall: Learning Management Educational Technology Solutions Specialist
buddyhall@uky.edu (859) 257-9046
Buddy received a BBA in Decision Science and Information Systems from the University of Kentucky.

Marshall Herbst: Learning Management Instructional Designer
marshall.herbst@uky.edu (859) 257-1633
Marshall graduated with honors in History and Psychology from Hanover College, and holds a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kentucky. Marshall has also earned a Secondary Montessori teaching credential from the American Montessori Society.

Tia Williams: Learning Management Instructional Designer
tia.williams@uky.edu (859) 257-8642
Tia has an extensive educational background with a B.A. in Psychology and Liberal Studies from Kentucky State University, a M.S. and Ed.S. in Counseling Psychology, an M.S. in Instructional Systems Design, and a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Communication from the University of Kentucky.

Sarah Asher: Learning Management Instructional Designer
sarah.asher@uky.edu (859) 257-8239
Sarah has a Master's in Biology from Eastern Kentucky University's College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Kentucky's College of Arts and Sciences.

Alex Cutadean: Faculty Media Depot Multimedia Specialist
alex.cutadean@uky.edu (859) 257-4052
Alex joined us from the equine industry, where he spent 14 years creating media and implementing technologies for racing, sales, veterinary, and equine health education. Alex attended Asbury University before obtaining his Bachelor's in Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky.

Matt Hazzard: Academic Multimedia Graphics Illustrator
hazzard@uky.edu (859) 257-5435
Matt has worked for UK since 2003, where he has produced illustrations, cellular images, conceptual diagrams, technical processes & technical/instrument illustrations, complex charts & graphs. He assists in creation of black/white and color line art, 2-D and 3-D models for facutly and classroom support, consultation and instructional design of presentations, publications, exhibits, posters, and brochures; he works to ensure product accuracy and quality.

Kelita Mayorga Rosales: Academic Technical Support Services Technology Support Specialist
kelita.mayorga@uky.edu (859) 323-1456
Kelita has a Master’s Degree in Information Systems Management, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems and Computer Science. She has five years of experience working as Dean Assistant & Lecturer at the Systems Engineering College (Mariano Galvez University of Guatemala) and 10 years of experience in IT, working as Software Developer and in Technical Support, delivering services for Commercial Healthcare, Private Education, and Government clients.