CASLS Staff Directory
Ryan Chang, Analyst Programmer
Ryan Chang serves as CASLS' Analyst Programmer. Prior to joining CASLS in February 2020, he was a full-stack software engineer for the Oregon Career Information System at the University of Oregon. Ryan has extensive knowledge of software development and systems administration, which he uses to support CASLS' projects and services.
Ryan earned his B.S. in software engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. When not at his computer, he enjoys walks around campus and cheering for the Oregon Ducks and Seattle Kraken.
Stephanie Knight, Courtesy Appointment
Stephanie Knight holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Her research and development of pedagogical interventions focuses on constructivist approaches to language acquisition and the intentional incorporation of digital and mixed-reality tools in learning experiences. She has taught all levels of Spanish to grades 5-16 and language methodology courses. Before working at CASLS, Stephanie served as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Coordinator at a public high school in Tennessee.
Stephanie has designed and implemented mixed-reality communication and language learning experiences for educational and professional contexts. She has published on digital gameplay and mobile applications for language learning and on learning portfolios. She has also presented nationally and internationally on best practices for planning, instruction, professional collaboration, and the intentional incorporation of digital tools in the world language classroom. One of her ultimate goals is the long-term retention of learners in language coursework.
Julie Sykes, Principal Investigator, Title VI Language Resource Center
Julie Sykes earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. She is the Director of CASLS and a Professor in the Department of Linguistics. Her research focuses on applied linguistics and second language acquisition with an emphasis on technological and pedagogical innovation for interlanguage pragmatic development and intercultural competence. She has taught courses on second language teaching and learning, methodology and research, language learning and technology, Hispanic linguistics, and interlanguage pragmatic development.
Julie’s experience includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of online immersive spaces and the creation of place-based, augmented-reality mobile games to engage language learners in a variety of non-institutional contexts. She has published various articles on computer-assisted language learning (CALL)-related topics, including synchronous computer-mediated communication and pragmatic development, gaming and CALL, and lexical acquisition in digitally mediated environments. Julie is the recipient of the 2018 University of Oregon Research Award for Impact and Innovation.
Elly Vandegrift, Interim Director
Elly Vandegrift is the Interim Director of CASLS and the Director of the Global Studies Institute. Elly brings to this role two decades years of experience in many UO positions and types of units, from EMU events services to the Teaching Engagement Program, career faculty in Biology to associate director of the Science Literacy Program, capped off with five years experience in the Global Studies Institute itself. With global partners she has developed and facilitated customized STEM education and communication workshops at the University of Oregon and across the world with partners such as Nagoya University, Mohammed Al-Mana College of Health Sciences, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). As GSI Director, she leverages a track record of hands-on doing; landing and running grants, gifts, and contracts; direct work with international donors and funding agencies; as well as curricular, pedagogical, and programmatic innovation in global contexts.
Elly graduated from Earlham College and completed her graduate work at Oregon State University. She is the author of several articles about STEM education reform and professional development.