UMass Amherst Information Technology is pleased to announce the formation of the Academic Technologies Group (ATG).
The Academic Technologies Group is part of IT's ongoing organizational and operational changes to improve coordinated and proactive support to the campus community. The creation of the new group will ensure that academic technology services support the needs of campus stakeholders in all areas of academic affairs.
Ryan Scott steps into the new role of Academic Technologies Product Owner, overseeing the operations and strategic development of the University’s Learning Management Systems (LMS). Ryan will collaborate with campus partners to ensure the Canvas LMS integrates with essential campus services and technologies from technical, security, and accessibility perspectives.
Dan Cannity is transitioning to the new role of Educational Technologies Business Partner. In this new position, Dan will collaborate with faculty, instructional designers, and academic leadership to identify instructional needs, and will lead the evaluation and continuous assessment of third-party tools and LTI applications integrated with the University’s Learning Management System (LMS). Dan will work in alignment with Brad Turner in his previously announced role of Academic Digital Solutions Business Partner.
Ryan, Dan, and Brad all report to Associate Vice Chancellor Monica Kane, who will provide leadership and oversight for the group as the technology liaison to Academic Affairs and a member of the Provost’s Council.
The ATG brings together expertise in learning technologies, instructional support, and academic partnerships under unified leadership. Academic Technologies Administrators Josh Smith and Brian Sutherland will continue to report to Ryan. Tim Sheaffer takes on the new role of Academic Technologies Support Team Leader, reporting to Ryan Scott and leading the Instructional Media Lab team of Academic Technologies Support Specialists: Wayne Gagnon, Minhee Kang, Fraser Stowe, and Jia Zhuang.
The launch of the Academic Technologies Group reflects IT's strategic commitment to aligning technology services with the academic mission of the University. As the transition to a unified, center-led IT organization for UMass Amherst continues, organizational improvements like the creation of the ATG will focus on enhancing collaboration, strengthening partnerships with Academic Affairs, and advancing the University's teaching and learning goals.