Brett Coup Named Associate Vice President of Academic Technology

Brett Coup

Brett Coup

Brett Coup, who has held technology leadership positions in online education and learning technologies for more than a decade, has been named associate vice president of academic technology and will co-direct the new St. Thomas E-Learning and Research (STELAR) center in partnership with the libraries and Faculty Development. The STELAR center is set to open on campus in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library this fall.

“Brett is bringing with him a wealth of experience and success in developing and growing online courses and programs,” said Ed Clark, CIO and vice president for Information Technology Services. “His background will help St. Thomas grow its national reputation for excellence in education while generating new tuition revenues for the university.”

The associate vice president of academic technology is a new position within the Information Technology Services department, and was created as an outcome of the IT reorganization process in the fall. This position will focus on managing the delivery of technology services that enhance the teaching and learning mission of the university, and providing faculty with instructional technology support, course design strategies and research resources.

The vision for the STELAR center is to serve as a one-stop shop for all technology-enhanced instruction, such as the use of digital tools in face-to-face classrooms, hybrid and blended instruction, online and hybrid course redesign and development, learning management systems, teleconferencing, and other new and emerging academic technology applications for St. Thomas, including extended education programs and disability access.

Coup joins us from the College of DuPage in the western suburbs of Chicago. College of DuPage delivers over 500 online sections each semester, 240 hybrid/blended sections each semester, and offers 10 fully online degrees and 29 online certificates.

Coup earned his Bachelor of Science in mass communications from Illinois State University and his Master of Arts in communication studies from Northern Illinois University. Coup’s background as a distance learning administrator and former faculty member will position him to be successful here at St. Thomas.

Clark thanked the search committee for its work. In addition to Clark, members were Jenn Haas, ITS; Peter Weinhold, ITS; Ann Johnson, Faculty Development; Dan Gjelten, St. Thomas Libraries; Lisa Burke, Opus College of Business; Dr. Lisa Abendroth, Opus College of Business; and Dr. Lynn Stansberry-Brusnahan, College of Education, Leadership and Counseling.