About GradeCraft

Our Team

At GradeCraft, we combine research and development expertise with pedagogical innovation. Together, we’re passionate about the idea that gameful learning can improve education for all.

Co-founders

Barry Fishman is Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Learning Sciences in the University of Michigan School of Information and School of Education. His research focuses on video games as model learning environments, the use of technology to support teacher learning, standards-based systemic school reform, and the role of educational leaders in fostering classroom-level reform involving technology. He was a long-serving Associate Editor of the Journal of the Learning Sciences, and served as a co-author of the Obama Administration’s 2010 U.S. National Educational Technology Plan. In 2017 he was recognized by the Michigan Association of State Universities as “Distinguished Professor of the Year.” Barry received his AB from Brown University in English and American Literature in 1989, his MS from Indiana University in Instructional Systems Technology in 1992, and his PhD in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University in 1996.

Caitlin Hayward is the Director of Research & Analytics at the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation. She co-founded GradeCraft with Dr. Fishman while earning her PhD at the University of Michigan School of Information. Her research includes investigating the impact of gameful learning and learning analytics interventions on student learning outcomes, motivation, and achievement. She received a BA in International Affairs from the University of Maine, and an MSI from the University of Michigan School of Information.

Research, Design, Development, and Support Team

James Alexander is the Senior Software Ambassador at the Center for Academic Innovation. On the GradeCraft team, he is the faculty liaison and also works to improve user onboarding. James considers himself a video game wizard, though there is little evidence to support this claim, and has a fondness for cats. He hails from the hills of Tennessee.

Holly Derry is a wordsmith and the Associate Director of Behavioral Science. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in public health, and over 20 years of experience developing behavior change interventions that rely on the principles of tailoring, sticky communication, plain language, and motivational interviewing. Her top three skills include making wordy things shorter, making complicated things more understandable, and making dull things more motivating.

Philip Harrell is a Software Developer Senior at Academic Innovation. He has a BFA from The University of Texas at Austin and worked in eCommerce startups before transitioning to EdTech. Philip is excited to contribute to the development of GradeCraft's unique and motivational learning experiences.

Nathan Haynes-Magyar is a Software Development Lead at the Center for Academic Innovation. He holds a master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Michigan School of Information, and bachelor degrees in Organizational Studies, Spanish, and Acting, also from U of M. He is a technical contributor as well as the Project Lead for GradeCraft. His favorite thing about GradeCraft is the amount of autonomy and agency students have to chart their own path to success.

Ben Hayward is the Senior Director for Educational Technology at the Center for Academic Innovation. His responsibilities include setting technical vision and strategy for the Center as well as overseeing the design, development and operational efforts across the software portfolio. Ben provides leadership in application architecture, product design, expansion assessment and scoping development cycles.

Jingcong Hu is an Application Developer Intermediate from University of Michigan Information and Technology Services. She has a bachelor's degree in Information Analysis and master's degree in Digital Curation, both from the University of Michigan School of Information. She likes video games and was pleased to discover gameful learning courses at the University. Now, she is excited to be working on gameful learning with GradeCraft. =^o.o^=

Colleen Sullivan Leh is a UX Designer with a BFA from the University of Michigan School of Art. Her design goal is to make complicated things a little bit easier to use.

Ian Tadashi Moore is a senior UX Designer and visual storyteller at the Center for Academic Innovation. He holds bachelors degrees in Graphic Design and Performing Arts Technology from the University of Michigan and has over 20 years experience, from the early days of web design to mobile software applications and web-based public health interventions. With a background in music, illustration, and graphic design, he aims to make users’ experiences both functional and fun.

Kyle Small is a Senior Software Portfolio Manager at the Center for Academic Innovation. Kyle prioritizes project requirements, strategizes around development and adoption, and communicates progress to stakeholders.

Michael Skib is a Senior Quality Assurance Analyst for the Center for Academic Innovation. He also assists the software team with user technical support. Michael’s background includes previous work primarily in music and audio production.

Keerthana Turlapati is the DevOps engineer at the Center for Academic Innovation. Keerthana is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the infrastructure that supports our development and production environments. She also works closely with cross-functional teams to automate workflows, ensuring rapid and reliable infrastructure for the applications at CAI. She is also pursuing a Masters degree in Computer and Information Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Zhiqing “Jennifer” Zheng is a Software Ambassador Postgraduate Fellow at the Center for Academic Innovation. She assists educators in the adoption process by leading consultations, constructing support materials, and more. She utilizes her knowledge of learning technology and experience design to tailor the solutions for educators using the software in their curriculums and maximize the benefits of the implementations.