Contact Us

Want to Hang Out?

Design Development Services is located on the 5th floor of Leigh Hall. We encourage you to visit and see a demonstration of some of our current projects or technology tools. Our entire staff is at this location where we maintain our digital media equipment and various other spaces to sit down and discuss your projects or provide hands-on technology training.

We are always interested in getting together to share ideas and have discussions related to teaching and learning with technology.

Staff

Steve Allen

Title: Sr. Multimedia Producer

Phone: 330/972-7581

Email: sallen@uakron.edu

Bio: Steve has been with the University since 1997. Before coming to UA, Steve was a Documentation Specialist with Tribute Inc., and, prior to that, a Software Training Specialist with The National Data Corporation in Rockville, Maryland. Steve earned a bachelor's degree in Film and Television Production from Montana State University and a master's degree in Instructional Technology from Kent State University. He has been exploring the potential of computers in media production, with mixed results, ever since.

Andy Bonecutter

Title: Technology Consultant IT

Phone: 330/972-2802

Email: ajb40@uakron.edu

Bio: Andy has been with Design and Development Services since September 2007. Prior to joining DDS, he worked as a student assistant for the University of Akron’s ZipSupport Center, where he served as a Senior Support Technician and Programmer. Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Akron, and plans to (begrudgingly) work towards a master’s degree, although in what, is currently speculation.

Kristine Howard

Title: Senior Instructional Designer

Phone: 330/972-7236

Email: kmh148@uakron.edu

Bio: Kristine supports faculty and staff with the design and development of online lessons and courses. She holds master’s degrees in Education (Adult Learning and Development) and human resources/labor relations from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining The University of Akron in 2011, Kristine held a variety of workplace learning and performance positions in the private sector serving major corporations in many industries.

John Kelley

Title: Sr. Systems Analyst Programmer

Phone: 330/972-7775

Email: kelley5@uakron.edu

Bio: John arrived at The University of Akron in 2002 and has a B.S. in Computer Science from UA. Before coming to UA, John served as the Vice President of Programming and Development for Computer Knowledge International overseeing the development and national rollout of multiple software applications for various fortune 1,000 companies. John’s background includes database design and the development of online training applications.

Wendy Lampner

Title: Manager

Phone: 330/972-2149

Email: wjl3@uakron.edu

Bio: Wendy is the Manager of Design Development Services. Wendy joined UA in April of 2008. Prior to joining UA, Wendy has served as the Director of E-Learning at Stark State College and as a Software Engineer for Diebold, Inc. Wendy has taught Information Technology and Educational Technology courses as an adjunct instructor since 1998. She has a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from The University of Akron.

Jamie Newhall

Title: Multimedia Producer

Phone: 330/972-8290

Email: jnewhal@uakron.edu

Bio: Jamie is a multimedia producer and heads up clicker training and support (with Litsa Varonis). He joined UA's IT department in 2000 and has always, in some capacity, taught the university community how to adapt to and incorporate new technology. He came to Design and Development Services in 2005. He has a BA in Communications with a minor in Marketing from The University of Akron.

Dr. Jill Phipps

Title: Curriculum Designer

Phone: 330/972-2431

Email: phipps@uakron.edu

Bio: Jill has been with The University of Akron since 1998 designing materials for online delivery. She holds a Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum and Instructional Studies and a master's in Technical Education, both from The University of Akron. Her bachelor's degree in Business Administration is from Mount Vernon Nazarene College. Jill is currently an ad hoc faculty member for the graduate school and has taught over 100 credit hours using online classrooms to optimize the learning experience for her students. Prior to working for UA, Jill held various positions in secondary, vocational, and adult education in the areas of computer software, marketing, entrepreneurship and business management.

Patrick Tabatcher

Title: Sr. Multimedia Producer

Phone: 330/972-2432

Email: pmt1@uakron.edu

Bio: Patrick joined the University in 2000 as a Graphics Instructional Designer before landing in his current role as a Sr. Multimedia Producer. Prior to joining UA, Patrick was a designer at a local marketing agency. Patrick has a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and will eventually finish his master's degree in Communications. When he's not busy, he teaches Web Pages Design in the Myers School of Art and occasionally shares his knowledge on web design and multimedia at conferences.

Litsa Varonis

Title: Multimedia Specialist

Phone: 330/972-2541

Email: varonis@uakron.edu

Bio: Litsa heads up clicker training and support (with Jamie Newhall) and is involved in many outreach activities involving instructional technology. She joined UA in 1988 teaching English and was the first person in that department to teach in a DL classroom. Excited about the ways in which learning technologies could enhance education, she moved to a full-time position IT in 2001, first in Distance Learning and then in Design and Development Services. She has a BA (English, Psychology, and Honors) from Arcadia University and an MA (Linguistics) from the University of Pennsylvania.