The Center

is characterized by a culture of innovation and experimentation that works in a team-orientated environment with staff cross-trained in multiple skill sets.

We are a small organization of 20+ full-time staff which include those who are highly technical and those with a strong instructional design focus. We maintain our own technology housed in two separate data centers that use current cloud-based technologies.

The Center maintains a seven-day-a-week Help Desk, providing support based upon project needs. Our support ranges from providing simple support (login and passwords) to support for the more complicated instructional projects.

The products we develop use responsive web design techniques, and deliver content to meet the web accessibility needs related to Section 508, W3C’s WCAG guidelines and the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act (2007).

The Leadership Team

Paul Sweet
Director

Margaret Taylor
Associate Director of Business Operations

Joe Ryner
Associate Director of Technology

Brice Shake
Associate Director of Design

The Team

CAIT is composed of highly skilled, diverse staff with a wide range of cultural backgrounds, educational experiences, and professional interests. Working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment, our staff is cross-trained across multiple disciplines, allowing us to be agile and responsive to client needs. We prioritize customer focus, fostering loyalty and trust with our clients by delivering tailored, innovative solutions that meet the evolving demands of the customers. With nearly 30 years of proven success in developing online eLearning solutions and managing large-scale projects, CAIT consistently demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic technological landscape.

  • Matt Baker
    UX Designer
  • Josh Carrigan
    Application Developer
  • Brodie Friday
    Application Developer
  • Nancy Heuer-Evans
    i-Pathways Curriculum Coordinator
  • Brandon John
    Project Manager, Training Specialist
  • Irving Kwong
    Support Desk
  • Kelly LeMaire
    Graphic Designer
  • Amy Randel
    Instructional Designer, Training Specialist
  • Diwakar Sharma
    Application Developer
  • Ari Ward
    Application Developer
  • Joel Wetzell
    Enterprise Technology Engineer
  • David Zaseski
    Application Developer

CAIT's History

CAIT has over a 35-year history working in distance education and instructional development.

The Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT) was established in 1988 under the College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University as the Satellite Education Network (SEN).

In July of 1996, CAIT was formally recognized as a center by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and charged to serve as a catalyst for the application of present and future instructional-based technologies impacting teaching, learning, and training in our society.

As a division of Western Illinois University, CAIT aligns with the University's core values by serving as a resource for and stimulus to economic, educational, cultural, environmental, and community development in our region and well beyond.

CAIT's Clients

CAIT has worked with a variety of governmental entities, non-profits, education units, and businesses. Most clients have an ongoing relationship with CAIT that is sustained by a sense of trust and honesty, open communication, and individualized services. The following is a partial listing of organizations we have partnered with over the years:

  • Illinois Attorney General's Office
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education
  • Illinois Century Network
  • Illinois Community College Board
  • Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
  • Illinois Department of Corrections
  • Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute
  • Illinois State Board of Education
  • Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing
  • Minnesota Workforce Council Association
  • Nebraska Department of Education
  • Pacific Resource for Education and Learning - National Education Lab
  • Penn State University, School of Medicine
  • Philadelphia Public Schools
  • University of Illinois
  • Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico
  • U.S. Department of Education
  • Washington DC Child and Family Services Agency
  • Abbott Labs
  • American Prison Data Systems
  • Edovo
  • McDonald's Corporation
  • Metra Railroad, Chicago
  • Mindfire Communications