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Our Staff

Professional Staff

Karin Ann Lewis, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education and
Executive Director
Academic Enhancement
859.257.1356
karin.lewis@uky.edu

Dr. Lewis grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, received her BA degree from Cornell University in New York and earned her MS degree as an Educational Specialist in Human Development & Education from the University of Rochester. In 2010, Dr. Lewis earned her PhD at UK in Educational and Counseling Psychology. Her research interests focus on developmental cognitive psychology.

A teacher at heart, Dr. Lewis' expertise developed over her 20 years of teaching in a variety of educational settings and learning contexts. Additionally, she is a mother of two grown daughters, Mea and Madeline, who both reside in New York City. Mea is pursuing her law degree, and Madeline with BFA in hand has launched her career in theater. Dr. Lewis' favorite mantra is, "do what you love and love what you do."

Dr. Lewis lives within walking distance of UK's campus with her husband.

Jim Breslin
Associate Director
Academic Enhancement
859.257.1356
james.breslin@uky.edu

Jim is the Associate Director of Academic Enhancement at the University of Kentucky and is responsible for designing, implementing, and assessing programs for all students in collaboration with the Director and colleagues in other departments. Jim has worked with college students in Academic Enhancement since October 2004 and has assisted in developing a number of programs that address retention and persistence issues. His current portfolio includes responsibility for day-to-day operations of all programs and services offered by Academic Enhancement, assessing and evaluating all AE programs and services, and contributing to strategic planning for the department. He has enjoyed presenting AE's programmatic models and outcomes at several conferences, and most recently presented with two undergraduate Student Program Coordinators at the Annual First-Year Summit.

Jim is originally from Louisville, KY, graduated from St. Xavier High School, and completed his BA in Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame in 2003. He earned an MS in Higher Education from UK's Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation in 2009, and his research interests currently include student transitions from high school to college, the first-year experience, academic support programs, peer-to-peer assistance, and qualitative research methods. Jim also currently serves as a Managing Editor for the Kentucky Journal of Higher Education Policy and Practice.

Jim lives in Lexington with his wife, Farrah Dicken, who also works with college students, and their puppy, CJ. Jim is happiest when traveling, watching college football, and spending time with Farrah.

Megan Beach                 
Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach
Academic Enhancement
859.257.1356
megan.beach@uky.edu

Megan is originally from Port Huron, Michigan, and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2008 with a BA in Integrated Strategic Communications with an emphasis in direct response. Megan worked for Academic Enhancement from 2005 to 2008 and returned as their Assistant Director in 2011. Megan is currently working on an MS in higher education from UK's Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation and her research interests currently include student transitions from high school to college, the first-year experience, and student culture. Megan lives in Richmond, Kentucky, with her significant other, Clay, and their two chocolate labs, Maddy and Wally. In her free time Megan enjoys spending time with her friends and family, hanging out by the pool, and cheering on her KY Wildcats!

Anna Gatewood
Assistant Director for Peer Tutoring
Academic Enhancement
859.257.1356
argatewood@uky.edu

Anna is from the coast of Georgia where she grew up riding horses and going to the beach. She earned her BA in English from Valdosta State University, where she focused on both creative writing and literature. There, she was a CRLA certified Peer Tutor for three years and found her passion for undergraduate education. After graduation, she worked for a year as a professional Writing Consultant at Savannah College of Art and Design. Anna came to Lexington in 2010 in pursuit of her Masters in Literature. She joined AE that same year as a Teaching Assistant, teaching sections of EPE 174 and the APP Writing Workshop. Anna has since completed her Masters in Literature and is pursuing her PhD in Geography. Anna’s research interests include the culture and literature of the American South. Anna’s primary role at Academic Enhancement is the direction and growth of the Peer Tutoring Program in The Study. Anna also conducts research and presents at professional conferences on such pedagogical topics as critical thinking in the classroom and the efficacy of academic interventions like EPE 174. Anna lives in Lexington with her fiancé, Jamie, who is also in graduate school at UK, and their hairy, four-legged children, Blue and Duke. When she's not working on school assignments, you can usually find her in the kitchen or the garden.  

Ali Cicerchi
Program Coordinator
Academic Enhancement
859.257.1356
AliCicerchi@uky.edu

Ali is originally from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2010 with a BA in print journalism. She worked for Academic Enhancement from 2008 to 2010. She then worked as an Assistant Editor for a national fitness trade publication in Louisville, Ky. Ali returned to Academic Enhancement in January 2012 as Program Coordinator. Ali hopes to begin working on a Master’s Degree in Higher Education come Fall of 2012. She is very interested in student culture and their transitions from high school to college as well, as their transition when students are preparing to graduate. Ali resides in Lexington and enjoys cooking, reading, writing and spending time with her friends and family.