Ky Merkley joined the iSchool this month as senior IT specialist. Their responsibilities will include supervising the graduate assistants at the Help Desk, assisting with instructional technology, and providing support to faculty on the digital accessibility of their courses.
Merkley recently earned their PhD in classical philology from the University of Illinois. As a graduate student, they taught Latin, Greek, and classics courses, earning the LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for 2021-2022. They have experience in online course design and a wealth of knowledge related to Canvas and accessibility. Merkley is the 2022 recipient of the Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award for LGBTQ Advocacy.
"The iSchool Help Desk team is exceptional both in their dedication to providing excellent customer service and their collegiality," said Merkley. "I love working with people, so I look forward to getting to know the iSchool community and finding ways that I can help make people's lives easier."
In their free time, Merkley enjoys spending time with their wife and 18-month-old daughter, planning their next Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and writing their first book.