Appointment of Jeff Burke as Special Assistant to the EVCP for LMS Transformation

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to share that Jeff Burke, professor in-residence and associate dean for research and technology at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT), has been appointed to be my special assistant for LMS Transformation. In this capacity, he will co-lead the transition to our new Learning Management System (LMS), the digital platform for delivery of UCLA courses, in partnership with Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer Lucy Avetisyan.

A triple UCLA alumnus and member of our faculty since 2001, Burke has spent much of his research and teaching career exploring how emerging technologies can be designed to serve expressive and social goals. He has created, designed, managed, and/or produced experimental performances, films, software projects, multimedia installations, and new facilities. Burke has been a co-PI and area lead in multi-campus research efforts such as the NSF Center for Embedded Networked Sensing (2006-12) and Named Data Networking future internet architecture project (2010-present). He co-founded and co-directs TFT’s Center for Research in Engineering, Media and Performance (REMAP), a collaboration with the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering whose work includes applications of emerging technology to learning environments. Burke earned his B.S.; M.S. in electrical engineering; and M.F.A. in film, television, and digital media from UCLA.

Burke has been involved in the LMS Transformation program since December, and his multidisciplinary experience at the intersection of technology and creativity has proven to be an important asset. With Avetisyan, he will continue to co-lead the LMS Transformation — which will bring course content, tools for collaboration and interaction, and access to grades and online assessments together in one place — in close consultation with IT Services, teaching and learning centers across campus, and academic units. I encourage you to stay informed about the LMS Transformation by signing up for the project mailing list and attending the July 28 town hall. You may also reach out to LMSTransformation@it.ucla.edu if you have questions about the project.

I know this is a bittersweet message as we were all saddened by the recent passing of our beloved longtime colleague Jan Reiff, who had been overseeing this transformation previously. I am deeply grateful for Jan’s work on this initiative and her numerous other contributions to teaching and learning at UCLA. While Jan will be missed, I am confident that Jeff, Lucy, and all those involved will continue to build upon the excellent foundation she laid for this project.

Thank you all for your continued partnership and support in this important effort.

Sincerely,

Emily A. Carter

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost