August’s theme is “Back to School.”
August Technology Workshops
Part of Fall Academy
Universal Design for Student Learning
Monday, August 18
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Leyburn 128
Annie Foster, ITS
Tech Troubles Takeover
Monday, August 18
Round #1 – 3:10 pm – 3:30 pm
Round #2 – 3:40 – 4:00 pm
Round #3 – 4:10 -4:30 pm
Leyburn 109
Classroom Tech Team, ITS
Box Beyond the Basics
Tuesday, August 19
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Leyburn 109
Zach Nix, ITS
Intro to Box
Wednesday, August 20
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Leyburn 109
Zach Nix, ITS
Box AI & Box Hubs: Unlock Answers, Not Just Keywords
Tuesday, August 26
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Leyburn 119
Chrissy Van Assendelft, ITS & Zach Nix, ITS
Built for Learning
This month, Williams School faculty, staff, and students will move into their new building, featuring 11 classrooms (including one outdoor classroom), 2 innovation labs, 2 conference rooms, a Mac lab, and breakout and huddle rooms on every floor, along with dedicated faculty and staff offices. All indoor classrooms are equipped with dual projection, and every classroom and meeting space offers Solstice wireless presentation technology.
Journalism Lab Before
The previous Journalism Lab layout presented challenges with visibility and workspace flexibility. In the redesigned lab, recessed monitors have been installed, and workstations have been reoriented to face the front of the room rather than the outer walls. These changes allow students to follow instructor demonstrations without turning away from their computers. Additionally, powered workspaces have been added to better support students using their own laptops.
Journalism Lab Revamped
With support from the Dean of the College, the Journalism Lab has been outfitted with a new teaching podium, updated tables and chairs, a wall-mounted pan-tilt-zoom camera, and ceiling-mounted microphones to provide a high-quality video conferencing experience.
Find Out More About Summer 2025 Classroom Updates
Start Strong: Check Your Classroom in Advance
Whether you are a professor teaching this fall or a staff member giving a Fall Academy presentation, visiting the classroom beforehand can alleviate surprises and reduce the time your audience is waiting. A low stakes classroom visit before your first class or presentation will save at least a few minutes of logins and help get the semester off to a great start!
Before Class: Classroom Visit Checklist
Classroom Tech Office Hours
If you would like to schedule 1:1 training with a member of the classroom technology team, send an email to help@wlu.edu. Hurry before we get booked up prior to the term!
Award Winning Classroom Tech
Classroom Technologies’ Patrick Sheridan has been recognized with a Best in Class award in the “More with Less” project category. His award-winning solution improves how the Law School help desk supports classroom technology issues.
Patrick designed and implemented a system that notifies student employees when a help request comes from a classroom, using decommissioned equipment and a creative approach. The result is a cost-effective, reliable solution that allows student workers to respond more independently and efficiently, saving instructors valuable teaching time!
Best in Class “More with Less”
Ending SMS and Call-Based Duo Codes for Better Protection
Cybercriminals have increased their attacks on Duo authentication methods that rely on SMS and phone calls. These less secure options are susceptible to SIM swapping, interception, and spoofing. Readily available phishing kits now allow attackers to capture usernames, passwords, and SMS authentication codes in real time. Faculty, staff, and students who previously relied on these methods have been notified and are transitioning to a more secure Duo second factor.
Find Out More
ITS Staffing Updates
ITS is excited to welcome three new team members: Karl Jackson, Technology Integration Specialist for STEM; Kelli Woodard, Technology Integration Specialist for the Williams School; and Praise Apata, Information Desk Supervisor and Classroom Technology Coordinator.
Karl Jackson, Technology Integration Specialist
Reprinted with permission from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy woodworking, especially related to renovation and upkeep of our 1775 era home.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I come from a large family in the mountains of Colorado. I attended DePaul University in Chicago before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps for service with the U.S. Marine Band, where I served for 20 years. After my military retirement, I served at the U.S. Senate and at the White House before moving to Lexington in 2024. I am excited to enjoy a slower pace of life here with my wife, Graziella, our two kitties and a new border collie puppy.
Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
Gratitude is key to happiness.
Meet a Colleague: Kelli Woodard
Reprinted with permission from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.
Kelli is originally from Las Vegas, but has lived in Kentucky, Utah, and North Carolina. Lexington has been home for almost 8 years, and she has no intention of ever moving. She has 3 kids: Albert, Roo, and Olive. Her husband, Steven, is a small business owner in Raphine, VA.
Q. Where is your favorite location on the W&L campus?
The Marketplace. I like how I see lots of friends from different departments, and the salad bar is the best deal in town!
Q. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?
Kayaking and attending my kids sporting events. Really, anything that puts me outside in warm weather.
Q. Book/Podcast/TV Show Recommendation?
I’m currently enjoying Lucy Foley’s mystery books.
Q. Who inspires you?
Every working parent I know!
Q. If you could have coffee or tea with one person, who would it be and why?
I’ve never known how to answer this question. Maybe because there are too many cool, accomplished people in this world to just choose one.
Q. What is an accomplishment you are proud of?
My garden! After a few years attempting, last year was my first successful garden. I’m now working on an indoor herb garden.
Q. Favorite food/restaurant/drink?
I’ll take tacos, burritos, or hamburgers any day of the week.
Q. Most used/enjoyable app on your phone?
Audible!
Praise Apata ’23, Information Desk Supervisor
Reprinted with permission from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I graduated from W&L in 2023 and I am so excited to be back!
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love reading and getting into a good podcast. Lately, my favorite is one called Ridiculous Crimes.
Q. Anything in particular you are looking forward to at W&L?
The community at W&L is so special. I’m excited that I get to be a part of it from a different perspective.
Apple Tip of the Month
Tom Marcais from ITS recommends enabling scroll bars permanently, especially when teaching, presenting, or sharing your screen. Hidden scroll bars can confuse users and make content harder to navigate.
By default, macOS only shows scroll bars when you’re actively scrolling. You can change this behavior in just a few steps:
How to Always Show Scroll Bars:
- Open System Settings
- Use the search bar to look for “scroll bar”
- Under “Show scroll bars”, select Always
PC Tip of the Month
Did you know Windows can remember more than just your last copied item?
Turn on Clipboard History and make copy-past more powerful:
1. Press Windows key + V
2. Click Turn on
Moving forward, every time you copy (Ctrl + C), Windows will save it.
To see your clipboard history, press Windows key + V anytime!
ITS Newsletter Archives
We are glad to be back! Past newsletters and other ITS news can be found at https://itsnews.wlu.edu/its-newsletter/
