UF Teaching and Technology
Interim Associate Provost
bharfe@ufl.edu | p (352)294-1955
Dr. Brian Harfe earned a BS degree from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, followed by a Ph.D. in developmental biology from The Johns Hopkins University. After completing his Ph.D., he held postdoctoral positions at Emory University and Harvard Medical School. As Interim Associate Provost he oversees all units within the division of Teaching and Technology. He is a tenured full Professor in the UF College of Medicine and Associate Dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). In CLAS, he is responsible for all research, online activities, international exchanges, and the seven science and math departments. He has published >100 papers in developmental biology, which have been cited >20,000 times (h-index 68). Private and public agencies have funded his research, and he has won numerous awards for undergraduate and medical student teaching.
Administrative Specialist to Dr. Brian Harfe, Associate Provost for Teaching & Technology
kajacoby@ufl.edu | p (352)392-1202
Kelly Jacoby is the administrative specialist to the Interim Associate Provost for Teaching and Technology. She assists with all projects that fall under the AP’s oversight and any assigned by the Interim Provost. Kelly earned a BS degree from the University of Queensland, Australia. She started with UF in 2001, has been full-time at UF since 2006, and joined the Office of Teaching and Technology in October 2022.
Assistant Provost, Senior Director for Operations
n.rose@ufl.edu | p (352)294-1179
Nico Rose serves as the Assistant Provost and Senior Director of Operations for the Office of Teaching and Technology within the Office of the Provost at the University of Florida. In his role as Assistant Provost, Nico provides leadership to the Center for Online Innovation and Production, Center for Teaching Excellence, UF High School Dual Enrollment & Flexible Learning, Self-Supporting Academic Programs, Office of Professional and Workforce Development, and Operational Services. Nico is also an Instructor in the Department of Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management in the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida.
Director, Personnel & Financial Services
bbennet@ufl.edu | p (352)294-0850
Barbara Bennett is responsible for the financial and human resources services supporting the units reporting to the Associate Provost for the Office of Teaching and Technology. Her responsibilities also include ensuring compliance with relevant state and university rules and regulations to satisfy relevant audit requirements within the university’s educational auxiliary fund and distance learning fee activities. Barbara has been with UF since 1999 and joined the Office of Teaching and Technology in 2013 with her primary focus on streamlining and improving efficiencies in the management of financial and human resource business processes.
Director, Center for Teaching Excellence
abitton-bailey@aa.ufl.edu | p (352)294-3570
Alexandra discovered her passion for teaching in 1998 as a graduate student instructor. She has been teaching ever since. She joined the Center for Teaching Excellence in 2015. Since then, she has worked closely to support excellence in teaching and learning across the University of Florida. She works on a wide variety of initiatives and projects, including the Passport to Great Teaching, Pathways to Online Teaching Excellence, Interface, First Year Faculty Teaching Academy, Faculty Learning Communities, the Teaching Beyond the Podium Podcast Series, and the Inspired Teaching Newsletter. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Higher Education Administration, her M.A. in Romance Language Linguistics from the University of Florida, her M.S from Florida State University in Information and Library Science, and her B.A. in History and Anthropology from the University of Florida. Alexandra loves spending time with her family and friends, especially when cooking and sharing a great meal around the kitchen table. She also enjoys spending time soaking in nature while gardening, hiking, kayaking, or doing yoga.
Director, Center for Online Innovation & Production
jcannon@ufl.edu | p (352)294-0850
Joleen Cannon holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida Atlantic University. She has over 12 years' experience managing high-volume course production teams in the fully online, higher education setting where her focus has been on building highly collaborative development strategies that allow for the timely production of courses that engage students and enhance learning. Prior to coming to UF, Joleen served in multiple course production roles during her 7 years at the University of South Florida (USF), the last four serving as the Associate Director of Course Production in USF’s Innovative Education unit. Prior to USF she was the Manager of Enterprise Systems for the North Broward Hospital District where her focus was on managing enterprise systems, in addition to onboarding new technology and training. Her passion for education and love of technology has enabled her to lead teams of instructional designers, videographers and multimedia specialists who keep abreast of technology trends and support faculty in their online teaching through the use of sound pedagogy and technology.
Director, Office of Professional and Workforce Development
apc@ufl.edu | p (352)294-0847
Andrew Campbell is the director of the University of Florida’s Office of Professional and Workforce Development (OPWD). Andy is responsible for overseeing the development and launch of workforce education programs that upskill or reskill individuals in the unemployed, underemployed, and underrepresented populations. His goal is to provide these individuals with the knowledge and skills to increase their confidence and gain a competitive advantage as they enter or re-enter the workforce. Andy focuses on serving others and helping them achieve their professional goals.
Visit Office of Professional and Workforce Development
Interim Director, UF Online
rhiannon@ufonline.ufl.edu | p (352) 273-4478
Dr. Rhiannon Pollard has served in academic support and administration roles at the University of Florida since 2005 and is currently Interim Director of UF Online, providing leadership, strategy, and oversight for initiatives focused on the support and success of fully online students, programs, and the faculty who make it all possible. She is a “quadruple Gator,” having earned four degrees from UF: PhD and MEd degrees in Educational Technology as well as a BA in English and a BS in psychology. Much of Rhiannon's professional experience has included advising undergraduate and graduate students (both residential and online), developing and directing online degree and certificate programs, and leading teams focused on instructional design, advising, communications/marketing, and academic support. She has personal experience as both an online learner and instructional designer and cares deeply about recognizing and serving the individual needs of students and faculty through attentive listening and learner-centered design. Rhiannon has taught graduate course EME6236: Distance Education Leadership and Management in the College of Education and has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed articles and presented over the years on topics related to online learning, faculty development, online student success and mentoring, and instructional design.
Director, Operational Services
lfer@ufl.edu | p (352)273-3454
Litza serves as director of the Operational Services Unit within the Office of Teaching and Technology. In her role, she leads the Dual Enrollment Program, the Flexible Learning Program, and the Marketing and Enrollment Services team. She has been with UF since 2015. Litza is a triple Gator! She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and her M.Ed. and Ed.S. in Special Education from UF. She also holds a UF graduate certificate in Postsecondary Learning Support.
Director, Data and Analytics Services
aheward@ufl.edu | p (352)294-0871 | f (352)392-8735
Adam Heward leads a small but highly efficient group of technical professionals that provides reporting services and analytic insight for consumption by TNT leadership. The team also provides CRM support and administration for a number of TNT business units as well as consulting services for various TNT technical initiatives and implementations. As the director of Data & Analytics Services, Adam uses over 15 years of IT experience at the University of Florida and over ten years of prior technical project management experience to provide the staffing, data, and toolsets required for enabling data-driven decision-making by TNT management.
Founding Associate Provost for Teaching and Technology
Dr. W. Andrew “Andy” McCollough founded Teaching and Technology. Before his retirement on July 31, 2023, Andy completed 55 continuous years as an instructor, doctoral student, faculty member, department chair, associate dean, associate provost, and program creator.
Andy was the architect of a massive expansion of access to a UF education. He led the creation and oversaw the development of UF Online, ranked the #1 online undergraduate program in the nation in 2023 by U. S. News & World Report. While this effort is perhaps (or, as Andy would say, “mayhap”) his most spectacular success, he has played seminal roles in many others, including the creation of the PaCE admissions program, the Innovation Academy, the expansion of UF’s distance learning, and the dual enrollment program.
For many years, he chaired the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee to optimize student athletes’ academic and athletic success opportunities while maintaining the university’s standards of excellence.
Andy is a double Gator, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1957 from what was then known as UF’s Warrington College of Business Administration (before Al Warrington himself earned his UF bachelor’s degree) and his Ph.D. in 1971. In between, he served in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain and earning certification as a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot. In 1971, he joined the then-Department of Finance in the Warrington College of Business and has served UF in roles of increasing responsibility and leadership ever since. He retires as associate provost for Teaching and Technology.