RTL Leadership | Research, Teaching, & Learning Commons

The RTL Commons Leadership team (LT) brings a unique and rare depth of skill and talent to Berkeley.

Our team has extensive experience managing and leading research, teaching, and learning centers at large public and private universities. As a team, we strive to break barriers in providing access to all students and bringing forward new pedagogies, technologies, and tools that change the foundations of higher education. We are dedicated to the mission of Berkeley and seek deep partnerships with faculty and researchers to support them as they aim for and achieve excellence. Fiat Lux!

Anne Marie Richard, PhD -- Assistant Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and Chief Academic Technology Officer

Anne Marie brings almost two decades of experience at UC Berkeley to RTL’s Chief Academic Technology role. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from UC Berkeley, with expertise in critical pedagogy, popular education, and participatory action research. For the past 17 years she has served in leadership roles, creating programs and leading organizations in support of student success and belonging. Most recently, she has provided strategic technical direction for the Student Affairs Division, leading many initiatives to enhance the student technology experience across campus, including expanding tech support services, implementing multilingual chatbots, and establishing the Student Technology Equity Program.

Jenae Cohn, PhD -- Executive Director, Center for Teaching & Learning

Jenae has worked in higher education for over a decade, supporting faculty in their teaching and advancing student-centered learning. She holds a Ph.D. in English with an Emphasis in Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies from UC Davis, with expertise in digital and information literacy, digital reading, metacognitive thinking, and reading and writing across the curriculum.

April Geffre Irwin -- Director, Operations and Staff Development

April has worked in higher education for over two decades with experience across three universities. She currently manages the daily administrative operations of RTL including finance, business operations, and staff development and HR strategies.

Melanie Green -- Director, RTL Communications and Media

Melanie has served the UC Berkeley campus community for 20+ years. She manages the development and implementation of internal and external communications and media in support of RTL's services and programs to the campus community.

Owen McGrath, PhD -- Director, Strategic Initiatives

Owen oversees RTL's in-house processes for annual priorities development, project management, and service management. He also leads cross-organizational efforts for implementing UC-wide policy compliance (e.g., privacy, security, accessibility). In addition, he has coordinated RTL's initiatives in exploring and evaluating AR/VR technology through pilot projects.

Tim Lynch -- General Manager, KALX Radio

Tim brings over two decades of management experience along with a complete devotion to public radio. He has been actively involved with college and non-commercial broadcasting for three decades and now serves as General Manager of Berkeley's KALX Radio.