Membership
CASI is made up of voting members who perform a variety of instructional, research, administrative, student services and other key functions in the College of Engineering. CASI members are elected by staff.
If you are interested in learning more about serving on CASI, please contact Daniel Gaona or Sara Tate-Pederson, the CASI Chair and Co-Chair.
| Member | Term End | Job Function | Department |
| Mary Fitzpatrick | 2026 | Research | Dean’s Office |
| Daniel Gaona | 2026 | Administration | Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Angela Kita | 2026 | Instruction | Center for Innovation in Engineering Education |
| Sara Tate-Pederson | 2026 | Administration | Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) |
| Carly Andrew | 2027 | Student Services | Academic Affairs |
| Kelly Petersen | 2027 | University Staff | Industrial & Systems Engineering |
| Justin Kyle Bush | 2027 | Administration | Interdisciplinary Professional Programs |
| Zach Smith | 2027 | Research | Mechanical Engineering |
| Jackie Cooper | 2028 | Research | Civil & Environmental Engineering |
| Jennifer Detlor | 2028 | Instruction | Mechanical Engineering |
| Nathan Jung | 2028 | Instruction | Technical Communications |
| Rob Kohlhepp | 2028 | Administration | Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) |
Carly Andrew
Undergraduate Student Success (Student Services)
Contact: candrew2@wisc.edu
Justin Kyle Bush
Graduate Programs Administrator, Interdisciplinary Professional Programs
Contact: justinkyle.bush@wisc.edu
Justin Kyle Bush is the Graduate Programs Administrator for the Online Engineering Graduate programs in the College of Engineering. In this role, he manages the administrative and operational needs for six master’s programs, including their associated capstone certificates. He provides leadership support in areas such as process improvement and policy, program governance, data management, event coordination, and budget and financial management. Additionally, he dedicates a portion of his time to fostering student and alumni engagement, ensuring a connected Badger community. Justin is eager to collaborate with academic and university staff to identify areas for enhancement and collectively solutions that will contribute to maintaining COE as an exemplary workplace.
Jackie Cooper
Lab Manager, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Contact: jackie.cooper@wisc.edu
I have been in this position for over 25 years, supporting students and faculty in both CEE and CBE, as well as others across campus who utilize the equipment in my lab. I feel my perspective as someone working in a laboratory, which is often times not reflected in other campus committees, will serve me well on CASI.
Jennifer Detlor
Assistant Teaching Professor
Contact: detlor@wisc.edu
Jennifer Detlor is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She earned a B.S in Mathematics, Chemistry, and English, a M.S. in Engineering Mechanics and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She teaches core, large-enrollment courses at the first- through fourth-year level in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, such as statics, mechanics of materials, fluids, and heat transfer. Her research includes engineering education focused on interactive tools for the classroom and recruitment and retention of underserved students.
Mary Fitzpatrick
Scientist II, Dean’s Office
Contact: mary.fitzpatrick@wisc.edu
Mary Fitzpatrick reports to the Exec. Associate Dean as an academic scientist, focusing on inclusion in engineering education. She has been with CoE since 2013. She is responsible for the Environment for Education in Engineering (E3) annual student survey, providing educational data to the College and program evaluation. She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering, an MS in Electrical Engineering and was an engineer and manager for 17 years in medical device and software industries before earning a doctorate in Educational Psychology in 2011. She is a member of the American Society of Engineering Education and the American Psychology Association.
Daniel Gaona, CASI Chair
Accountant, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Contact: daniel.gaona@wisc.edu
Daniel joined UW-Madison in January of 2013. He has been with the College of Engineering since August of 2021 and is the Accountant for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Daniel has served on a variety of committees during his time with the university as well as the school district where his children are enrolled.
Daniel looks forward to bringing his breadth of experience to CASI in hopes of being an advocate for staff members whose voices may not always be at the forefront.
Jason Jankoski, CASI ex officio member (non-voting)
Assistant Dean for Human Resources
Contact: jpjankoski@wisc.edu, (608) 890-0921
As assistant dean for human resources, payroll and benefits, Jason Jankoski provides leadership in human resource, payroll and benefits systems administration throughout the College of Engineering. He oversees, directs and collaborates with the college’s decentralized departmental human resource, payroll and administrative staff members, and provides leadership and guidance to achieve excellence in these areas. Additionally, he is the college liaison to human resources at the UW-Madison and UW System levels.
Jankoski joined the College of Engineering as assistant dean in 2014. Previously, he spent five years as assistant dean for human resources in the Wisconsin School of Business, and has held human resources positions elsewhere at UW-Madison and at the State of Wisconsin. He earned his bachelor of arts in human resources management from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Nate Jung
Teaching Faculty, Engineering Communications and Applied Ethics
Contact: najung@wisc.edu
I teach courses in Engineering Communications and Applied Ethics to students from all areas of the College of Engineering. In this role, I interact with a variety of faculty, administrators, and STEM writing professionals to ensure that our students integrate all aspects of their engineering education into a cohesive professional identity that reflects the values of the UW-Madison College of Engineering. I also currently serve on ASEC’s Nominating Committee.
Angela Kita
Associate Director of Leadership Education
Contact: amkita@wisc.edu
As a member of the Center for Innovation in Engineering Education, Angela Kita is excited to build and grow partnerships that better connect students to their learning, their passions, and their goals. She has worked collaboratively with faculty and staff on curriculum development, improved instructor support, and cross-campus projects. Angela has served as a representative and on a subcommittee of the Academic Staff Assembly (ASA), and is always looking for ways to improve the climate at UW. As a CASI member she plans on asking questions, seeking out ways to improve work conditions, and advocating on behalf of staff members. She is particularly excited about building cross-college connections and increasing promotional and recognition opportunities.
Rob Kohlhepp
Director of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
Contact: rob.kohlhepp@wisc.edu
Rob has been an IT leader in the College of Engineering for over 20 years, stewarding the college-wide technology service particularly supporting instruction. He has been active in campus governance and committees throughout his career and most proud of his work developing and building the UW Women in IT community and his stewardship of the Big Ten community around Engineering technology support. Rob hopes to continue to influence college leadership around staff sense of inclusion and belonging. In a previous career, he was an internationally published writer and technology analyst.
Kelly Petersen
Main Office Manager, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Contact: kmpetersen2@wisc.edu
Kelly joined the University of Wisconsin – Madison in the summer of 2019. She acts as the Main Office Manager for Industrial and Systems Engineering, doing a little bit of everything to support the Faculty, Staff, and Instructors of her department. She also currently serves on a variety of committees throughout the college.
Kelly received her BS in Elementary Education from Iowa State University and worked in the education field for 5 years before moving into an administrative role in higher education.
Zach Smith
Research Administrator Supervisor, Mechanical Engineering
Contact: rsmith48@wisc.edu
Zach is an experienced Research Administrator Supervisor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He specializes in large, multi-faceted proposals and awards, complex cost-sharing and proactive commitment management. His primary interests involve systems thinking and refinement of processes and procedures via novel tool development. He enjoys detail-oriented work and maintaining holistic award perspectives. He is the previous Chair of the College of Engineering’s Committee Advocating for Staff Interests (CASI), the Co-Chair of UW’s Standing Budget Committee, District 513 Academic Staff Assembly representative, and a mentor with NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators) and UW’s RED mentoring programs.
Sara Tate-Pedersen, CASI Co-Chair
Associate Director – Compliance and Cybersecurity with the College of Engineering
Contact: sara.tate-pederson@wisc.edu
Dynamic cybersecurity and IT professional with 30+ years of experience, I currently serve in the role of Associate Director – Compliance and Cybersecurity at the College of Engineering. Throughout my entire career I have been an active participant and facilitator on a wide variety of strategic initiatives and committees across the university. Outside of my service with the college, I enjoy opportunities to hike in our National Parks, indulge in hobby geology, and build with LEGO.