About Us

Who We Are

MERIT (Media, Education Resources, and Information Technology) offers information, instruction, and technology services to the UW-Madison School of Education and community partners.  Meet our MERIT team!

Our Mission

MERIT connects people, information, and technology in an inclusive and engaged environment. Through reliable and proactive service, we empower the UW-Madison School of Education community to achieve innovation and excellence in teaching, learning, and research throughout the world.

Our Vision

MERIT leads the School of Education community in its efforts to discover, access, contextualize, design, protect, and support information and technology to empower teaching, learning, research, and innovation.

Our Values Statement

MERIT is committed to creating an intentional space and culture where people of diverse identities are included and respected. We acknowledge structural power imbalances and pledge to take direct action toward a more just environment for all who provide and use our services. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in our accessibility and anti-oppression work. We seek to honor individual lived experiences, recognize intersectionality, and cultivate better opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

If you are interested in finding out more about MERIT’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion action plan,
contact MERIT Co-Directors Anna Lewis and/or Brenda Spychalla.

MERIT Staff

Joel Dietz

Position title: Research IT Generalist

Email: jadietz@wisc.edu

Chris Dowling

Position title: Systems Administrator

Email: cdowling@wisc.edu

Jason Erdmann

Position title: IT Project Manager

Email: jason.erdmann@wisc.edu

Kris Glodoski Wolf

Position title: Public Services Manager

Email: glodoskiwolf@wisc.edu

Rick Gross

Position title: Research IT Manager

Email: rick.gross@wisc.edu

James Hawker

Position title: IT/AV Specialist

Email: jhawker@wisc.edu

Sam Hogenson

Position title: System Engineer

Email: shogenson@wisc.edu

Nicole Isaacs Valeo

Position title: Public Services Librarian

Email: nisaacs@wisc.edu

Rabia Jan

Position title: Instructional Technology Support Specialist

Email: rjan3@wisc.edu

August Jirovec

Position title: IT/AV Specialist

Email: jirovec@wisc.edu

Jim Jonas

Position title: Assistant Director

Email: james.jonas@wisc.edu

Jackson Kestner

Position title: Security Engineer

Email: jwkestner@wisc.edu

Elizabeth Kraege-Soechting

Position title: App Development Manager

Email: soechting@wisc.edu

Anna Lewis

Position title: Director of Academic Technology & Libraries

Email: anna.lewis@wisc.edu

David Marcou

Position title: Multimedia Designer

Email: dlmarcou@wisc.edu

Jared Mehl

Position title: Software Developer

Email: mehl2@wisc.edu

Rebekah Novak

Position title: Product Owner/Project Management

Email: ranovak3@wisc.edu

Dave Paar

Position title: Research IT Generalist

Email: david.paar@wisc.edu

Lauren Scanlon

Position title: Instructional Designer

Email: lpscanlon@wisc.edu

Lynn Schiappacasse

Position title: Technical Services Librarian

Email: lynn.schiappacasse@wisc.edu

Michael Sherry

Position title: Software Developer

Email: michael.sherry@wisc.edu

Michael Smit

Position title: Cybersecurity Engineer

Email: msmit@wisc.edu

Ella Tschopik

Position title: IT Help Desk Supervisor

Email: ella.tschopik@wisc.edu

Kevin Tschopik

Position title: IT Consultant (Kinesiology Focus)

Email: ktschopik@wisc.edu

Bill Weber

Position title: Interim Teaching, Learning, & Technology Manager

Email: bill.weber@wisc.edu

Adam Wiesenfarth

Position title: User Support Specialist III

Email: ajwiesen@wisc.edu

Ryan Wilkinson

Position title: Software Developer

Email: rwilkinson3@wisc.edu

June Williams

Position title: Software Developer

Email: jwilliams73@wisc.edu

Lori Zradicka

Position title: Administrative Manager

Email: lori.zradicka@wisc.edu