The Board of Directors
The ASCUE Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated individuals who are committed to promoting the use of technology in higher education. The board works to create a platform for the exchange of ideas, resources, and best practices in the field of technology and education. The directors bring a wealth of experience and expertise, having worked in a variety of roles within academia and the technology industry.
We are passionate about helping to shape the future of technology in education.
Christel Young Ed.D.
President
East Tennessee State University
Christel Young, Ed.D. serves as a clinical instructor and Director of Using Information at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Before coming to ETSU, she was a K-12 educator for 15 years. She obtained a B.A. in Kinesiology from DePauw University and then 20 years later, she obtained her M.Ed. degree from Kennesaw State University in Instructional Technology. In 2021, she fulfilled her promise to her father and obtained her Ed.D. in Instructional Technology with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from the American College of Education. She has serves as the co-President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association at ETSU as well as a member of the General Education Advisory Council and General Education Advisory Council Executive Committee for the university. Her research focuses on the multi-dimensional impact of housing insecurity on higher education student success and equitable education access among populations who are marginalized at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
Dr. Chelsie Dubay is an experienced educator, researcher, and leader in online learning and instructional design. She currently serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Instructional Design at East Tennessee State University, where she is improving and expanding the computing curriculum and providing leadership on departmental initiatives. Dr. Dubay holds a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Memphis, with a concentration in Instructional Design. Her dissertation focused on building culturally responsive STEM mentoring relationships through virtual training. Her teaching experience spans community colleges, four-year institutions, and corporate training. She has taught courses in English composition, Appalachian literature, research methods, instructional design, and more, in both online and face-to-face formats. Dr. Dubay's research on culturally responsive mentoring and teaching, online education, and supporting underrepresented students has been published in journals such as Teacher Education Quarterly and the American Journal of Distance Education. She has presented extensively at national conferences including ASCUE, SACSCOC, D2L Fusion, and AERA. At ETSU, Dr. Dubay provides leadership and departmental consultation related to faculty hiring, curriculum, assessment, diversity and inclusion, and accreditation. She serves on the executive board of ASCUE and is an Apple Certified Teacher. Awards include 40 Under Forty by the Tri-Cities Business Journal and Outstanding Graduate Student in Instructional Design from the University of Memphis.
Past President
Shantia Kerr Sims, Ph.D.
Member-at-Large
University of Central Missouri
Dr. Shantia Kerr Sims is a distinguished professor and an innovative, compassionate leader. Her experience spans both K–12 and higher education settings. Dr. Sims is a Professor in the Educational Technology Program at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). She served as coordinator of the program for eight years. Her research areas include understanding how technology is used to enhance teaching and learning in a variety of educational settings, teacher technology professional development, and equity in education. In her spare time, Dr. Sims enjoys supporting various civic organizations, exploring new technologies, reading, traveling and spending time with family. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Shantia Kerr Sims earned her BSE in Middle Grades Education from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia and her MSE in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Instructional Systems Technology and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Learning Technologies from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sims completed the Women in Leadership certificate program at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.
Shawn Brown
Member at Large
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Dmitri Gusev
Secretary
Purdue Polytechnic Columbus
Brad Weaver
Treasurer
Wabash College
Sali Kaceli
Web Coordinator
Cairn University
Sali has been serving as Director of Cairn Online and Educational Technology at Cairn University since February 2012. Prior to this position, he served as Manager of Academic Computing for 14 years for the University. He has been attending ASCUE for more than 20 years.
Aimen Shabaz
Member Engagement Director
Aimen Shahbaz is an information security governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) professional with a background in computer science and certifications in data analytics and project management. At BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, she supports risk assessments, policy development, and cross-functional collaboration to strengthen security and compliance. Beyond her professional role, she contributes to educational initiatives with the Public Education Foundation, helping students explore career pathways. Aimen is passionate about lifelong learning and thrives at the intersection of technology, compliance, and people-centered growth.
Emmanuel Somuah
Social Media Director
East Tennessee State University
Program Chair/President-Elect
Vacant
Melissa Casner
Conference Equipment Coordinator
Purdue Polytechnic Institute
Melissa (Missy) Casner is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the School of Applied and Creative Computing at Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute, serving Columbus, West Lafayette, and surrounding campuses. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in computer information technology, emphasizing core curriculum areas. Before joining Purdue full-time in August 2022, she worked in several IT roles across industry and nonprofit organizations.
Her academic interests include online and hybrid education, systems analysis and design, data automation, and business intelligence. Her research focuses on women in IT and the advancement of digital instructional methods. She has consulted on projects across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors.
Professor Casner holds an A.S. and B.S. from Purdue University in Computer Information Technology and Organizational Leadership, respectively, and an M.S. in Human Resource Development and Adult Distance Learning from Indiana State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Instructional Leadership at Indiana State University.
Sponsor Relations Coordinator
Vacant
Bylaws and Constitution
ASCUE is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of technology in higher education. The bylaws and constitution provide a framework for decision-making and ensure ASCUE operates in a transparent and democratic manner.
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