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The Gaines Team

To learn about the Gaines staff, please visit the CONTACT US page

Gaines Center Affiliated Teaching Faculty 2025-2026: Our Year on Origins

Trey Conatser — Trey Conatser, Ph.D

Assistant Provost for Teaching & Learning
Director of CELT
Dr. Trey Conatser is assistant provost for teaching and learning and director of CELT. In this role he represents UK’s educational mission within and beyond the University, and he oversees CELT operations in pursuit of innovative, effective, and engaging teaching and learning at UK. In his leadership roles Trey has participated in a range of initiatives around institutional priorities such as pandemic-era education and operations; transdisciplinary education; and the rise of generative artificial intelligence (for which he co-chairs the University task force on generative AI). Over the past few years, he has overseen a significant growth and diversification of CELT's reach and impact to meet the evolving needs of instructors and students.
Trey holds a PhD in English from The Ohio State University with a specialization in writing, rhetoric, digital humanities, and pedagogy. At Ohio State he began working in educational development as part of the storied Digital Media and Composition (DMAC) Institute. Broadly, Trey’s research has examined technology-enhanced learning in the humanities and writing-based scenarios, and can be found in venues such as College Teaching, Computers and Composition Online, the Journal of Digital Humanities, and the Palgrave Handbook of Digital and Public Humanities, with forthcoming work on the unessay and generative AI, student engagement with generative AI, and teacher and student motivation during the early years of the pandemic.
Recent or forthcoming presentations include venues such as the POD Network Annual Conference, the SACSCOC Annual Meeting, Times Higher Education's Digital Universities US and Student Success US, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Teaching and Learning with AI Conference, and the Higher Education Partnership Network. He contributed to coverage of higher education in Forbes, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and The Atlantic. Trey has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in digital humanities, technical and professional writing, first-year/college writing, literature, and college teaching and learning.

Jennifer Cramer — Jennifer Cramer, Ph.D

Professor
Department of Linguistics
Dr. Jennifer Cramer is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Kentucky, where she brings her passion for language and communication to the classroom. With a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field. Her research interests span a wide range of topics, including sociolinguistics and discourse analysis, with a particular focus on language variation and change in Appalachia, the American South, and Kentucky. Dr. Cramer is known for her engaging teaching style, fostering critical thinking and inquiry among her students. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Humanities Council and as Senior Associate Editor of American Speech.

Julian Dupuis — Julian R. Dupuis, Ph.D

Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology

Brandon Erby — Brandon M. Erby, Ph.D

Assistant Professor
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies

Reinette Jones — Reinette Jones

Special Collections Librarian and African American Studies Affiliate
Special Collections Research Center

Tanya Whitehouse — Chef Tanya Whitehouse

Chef and Program Manager, The Food Connection
Chef Tanya is both the heart and brains of The Food Connection's culinary programing. As the former Sous Chef of Holly Hill Inn for Ouita Michel, she brings both her culinary expertise and a passion for Kentucky-grown foods to our programing. You’ll find her both in our learning kitchen and out in the community inviting students and professionals, children and adults to gain new skills, explore new flavors, and enjoy new experiences. Chef Tanya passionately believes that we are inexorably tied to what we eat and that sitting down to a meal together can connect you with other people in a way nothing else can. Tanya’s favorite Kentucky food is her grandma’s recipe for ketchup, and her favorite tool is her 10” chef’s knife. Tanya leads a number of programs for our community members throughout the year.

Gaines Center Faculty of Record

Ben Arnold — Ben Arnold

Ben Arnold is a Professor in the College of Fine Arts. He is the Director of the School of Music and is affiliated faculty for the Lewis Honors College.

Melanie Goan — Melanie Beals Goan

Melanie Beals Goan is a Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of History and the Director of UK BLUE Bachelor to Law undergraduate program. She is affiliated with the Appalachian Center and the Health, Society, and Populations program.

Dan Halgin — Dan Halgin

Dan Halgin is an Associate Professor of Management in the Gatton College of Business.

Julie Human — Julie Human

Julie Human is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Modern & Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and she is the Director of the French Language Program. She is affiliated with the Folklore & Mythology program, French & Francophone Studies, and the Department of Gender & Women's Studies.

Shauna Morgan — Shauna Morgan

Shauna Morgan is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Creative Writing Division in the Department of English. She is affiliated with African American and African Studies and the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies.

Stephen Parsons — Stephen Parsons

Stephen Parsons is a Gaines alum and the Technical Lead for the Digital Restoration Initiative in the Pigman College of Engineering.

Rebecca Radtke — Rebecca Radtke

Rebekah Radtke is an Associate Professor in the College of Design, School of Interiors.

Sherelle Roberts — Sherelle Roberts

Sherelle Roberts is a lecturer in the Lewis Honors College.

Carlos Rodriguez Lopez — Carlos Rodriguez Lopez

Carlos Rodriguez Lopez is an Associate Professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Department of Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology.

M. Sara Rosenthal — M. Sara Rosenthal

M. Sara Rosenthal is a Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Behavioral Science and the Founding Directorof the Program for Bioethics and the MCC Oncology Ethics Program

President, University of Kentucky: Eli Capilouto
Provost, University of Kentucky: Robert DiPaola
Interim Dean, Lewis Honors College: Laura Bryan
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences: Ana Franco-Watkins
Director, Gaines Center for the Humanities: Michelle Sizemore
Gaines Fellows Student Representative: Amica Snow

Gaines Center for the Humanities Board

Matthew Clarke — Matthew Clarke

Matthew Clarke is the Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space, where he advocates for the power of public space to build vibrant, equitable communities. As an architect, planner, and writer, he has advanced complex architectural and urban design projects; written public-space policies; and developed national partnerships and initiatives. Prior to leading the Design Trust, Matthew was the National Director of Creative Placemaking at The Trust for Public Land. He has also held positions at SHoP Architects, NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs, and LTL Architects.

Judge Jennifer Coffman — Judge Jennifer B. Coffman

Judge Coffman is a retired U.S. District Judge for Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky.

Clay Dunn — Clay Dunn

An entrepreneur for social change, Clay Dunn is the founding Chief Executive Officer of VOW for Girls, the organization that champions girls around the world without the rights, resources, and choices to decide their own futures. Prior to VOW for Girls, Clay helped launch and build the successful No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Before moving into more purpose-driven work, he was a marketing and entertainment executive, most recently at National Geographic Channels. A native of Kentucky, Clay lives in Brooklyn with his husband.

John Edinger — John Edinger

"Jed" is co-owner of J. Edinger & Son, Inc. a family-owned and operated truck equipment company that specializes in the fabrication, installation and servicing of a variety of vocational vehicles.

Carol Farmer — Carol Farmer

Carol Farmer is active advocate for Kentucky's equine industry and owner of Shadowlawn Farm in Midway, KY.

Melody Flowers — Melody Flowers

Melody, a former Gaines Fellow and Truman Scholar, currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Economic Development & Real Estate at the University of Kentucky, leading efforts across campus including business engagement, creative place making, and development of campus innovation spaces and economic impact programs. Prior, Melody led integrated academic and financial planning at Harvard University and brings many years of experience from the non-profit and government sectors. Passionate about community, Melody serves on the board of numerous local organizations, including CivicLex, Fayette Alliance, and the Downtown Lexington Partnership among others.

Joan Gaines — Joan B. Gaines

Joan Gaines, and her husband John, founded the UK Gaines Center for the Humanities in 1984.

Thomas Gaines — Thomas Gaines

Thomas is the CEO of KBC International Inc. and Gaines Thoroughbreds. He is the son of the Center founders John and Joan Gaines.

Steve Grossman — Steve Grossman

Steve is the Managing Director of Baird Private Wealth Management and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Lexington Downtown Development Authority.

Donna Hall — Donna S. Hall

Donna is an active philanthropist who supports a number of organizations such as the Everglades Foundation Chairman’s Advisory Council, the Naples Botanical Garden board and Berea College's Board of Trustees.

Adam Kegley — Adam Kegley

Adam is a former Gaines Fellow and a partner at Frost Brown Todd LLP.

Josephine Richardson — Josephine D. Richardson

Josephine is a restaurateur and bookshop owner based in Whitesburg, KY where she is an active advocate for Appalachian writers, artisans and craftspeople.

Dan Rowland — Daniel Rowland

Dan is professor emeritus in the University of Kentucky Department of History and former director of the Gaines Center. Dan’s research focusses on the political culture of early modern Russia. A former Marshall Scholar, Dan serves on the boards of Bennington College and the Rowland Foundation, a foundation that supports school teachers in Vermont.

Josh Santana — Joshua Santana

Joshua is a founding partner at Santana and Fay, LLC.

Scott Shapiro — Scott Shapiro

Scott Shapiro is currently building Midland Station, an infill-housing development in Lexington's downtown. He is a former Chief Innovation Officer under Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.

Jay Varellas — Jay Varellas

Jay is a partner of Varellas & Varellas in Lexington, a past recipient of the prestigious Truman Scholarship and former Gaines Fellow.

Holly Wiedemann — Holly Wiedemann

Holly is founding principal and President of AU Associates, Inc. She has specifically worked in the renovation, creation, adaptive reuse, and development of affordable housing since 1986. She serves on multiple boards including Lexington Center/Rupp Arena Board, the Cleveland Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, National Housing and Rehabilitation Association, the Triangle Foundation and Fayette Alliance.

Richard Young — Richard Young

Richard Young is the Founder and Executive Director of CivicLex, a civic education organization that has been recognized by the Library of Congress and the American Academy of Arts and Science as a solution for rebuilding American Democracy for the 21st Century.