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The following message from Acting Provost DiPaola was sent to all faculty and provost area staff on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. 

Dear Colleagues,

In December 2021, I announced several changes related to teaching, learning and academic innovation at UK. These changes included that the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) would be overseen by the Office for Faculty Advancement as well as the creation of a senior-level position within the Provost area to focus solely on online learning, which would be filled on an acting basis until a national search could be completed. I am pleased to provide updates regarding these changes.

First, Trey Conatser has been appointed as the Acting Director of CELT. This appointment takes effect March 1, 2022.

Since 2016, Trey has worked as a member of the CELT team, serving as a Faculty Instructional Consultant and most recently as Associate Director. In all of these roles, he has worked to foster a culture of innovation, inclusion and engagement in teaching and learning. CELT has greatly expanded its reach and impact over the last few years, and it will continue to look for ways to collaborate with instructors and other staff across the university to fulfill our critical teaching mission.

Second, Dr. Justin “Jay” Miller has been appointed as the Acting Director of UK Online Education. Dr. Miller’s appointment takes effect March 1, 2022 and will continue through December 31, 2022 or until the position is filled on a permanent basis.

Dr. Miller has served as Dean of the College of Social Work and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor of Social Work Education since July 2019 and will continue to serve in these roles. During this time, he has led the college in launching fully online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Doctorate of Social Work programs, both of which have contributed to a doubling of the college’s enrollment, from 605 students in 2019-2020 to 1,689 students in 2021-2022.

In making appointments to these critical posts, I have received recommendations from multiple campus stakeholders and have consulted with Senate Council Chair Cramer.

I greatly appreciate the willingness of these individuals to serve in these important roles. Please join me in congratulating and thanking them.

 

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Acting Provost