Meet the Leadership Team
Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, Director and Co-Founder
Suzanne Ehrlich is an Associate Professor in the Educational Technology, Training and Development program at the University of North Florida and is a certified ASL/English interpreter. She completed her doctorate in instructional design and technology at the University of Cincinnati in 2006 and has presented nationally/internationally on the topics of implementing the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework for improved learner engagement, learning design, and leveraging technology for access. Her recent work focuses on the UDL mindset in post-secondary settings and the workplace. Her publications include her co-PI pilot study on Increasing Learner Engagement in Online Learning through the Use of Interactive Feedback, a co-authored article How a UDL Mindset Can Support Learning in the Workplace, and The Use of iPads to Bridge Education for Post-secondary Deaf Students. Her service focused on faculty enhancement, service as a UNF NEFSTEM fellow, statewide groups for workplace learning like the Association of Training and Development (ATD) of Northeast Florida, and invited board member for the Center for Independent Living of Northeast Florida.
Dr. Michelle Bartlett, Research Affiliate and Co-Founder
Michelle Bartlett, Ph.D., is a faculty scholar at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University. Michelle received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership with a cognate in Statistics at Clemson University. She currently is Editor for the Career & Technical Education Research Journal. Michelle has extensive experience designing and facilitating training for post-secondary education, business, and government programs. Michelle creates programs in Executive Leadership, Change, Conflict Management, Empowering Middle Management, Improving Training Effectiveness, and Instructional Design. She serves as VP for Membership on the Research Triangle Area Chapter Board.
Nick Tillem, LX Designer
Nick works as a Technologies Manager for a Fortune 50 company. He graduated with his Master of Science in Educational Technology, Training and Development at the University of North Florida in 2021. He enjoys applying what he learned in graduate school to his professional life. He has participated in several speaking engagements for Accessibility and UDL (Universal Design for Learning) nationally including “Accessibility, Social Media, and Web Design! Oh, My!” and “Creating Inclusive Training through Universal Design for Learning”. He also offers consultations on technology accessibility. Before working for a Fortune 50 company, Nick was a monk and worked as an American Sign Language (ASL) teacher.
Kierra McCray, Development and Project Officer
Kierra McCray (Kay) is an educator, humanitarian, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and visionary/founder of Purpose and PowHER, a nonprofit located in North East Florida whose mission is to design a safe, equitable and inclusive system that will build the next generation of global leaders through advocacy and hands-on based research programs that provides young women of color with skills and knowledge to set goals, overcome obstacles and improve academic performance. Purpose and PowHER is a part of her pledge to inspire girls to discover their dreams and to become all they were created to be. Currently, Kay works in the Florida college system and serves as the Program and Development officer for the Unite Design Lab with the University of North Florida. Kierra lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering. She is a graduate of Bethune Cookman University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and is currently pursuing a Masters of Higher Education Administration from the University of North Florida intending to become a University President and Leadership Development Consultant. Kay remains a passionate advocate for education, social justice, continuous professional development, and lifelong learning.