Deborah Keyek-Franssen

Associate Vice President and Dean of Continuing and Online Education

Deborah is a creative educator and thought leader with over two decades of experience in IT and higher education. She began her career at the University of Colorado in 1998, where she served as director of academic technology; oversaw strategy and research in the use, implementation, and evaluation of educational technologies; and managed a team of consultants and technologists. Working across the CU System as the AVP for Digital Education and Engagement, she was instrumental in furthering CU campuses' implementation of digital and online education solutions, including MOOCs, and served as the director of the Colorado Learning and Teaching with Technology (COLTT) Conference. In her current role, she is developing, evolving, and assessing a vibrant, nimble, and relevant curriculum of non-credit, for-credit and lifelong learning opportunities for Utahns and beyond.

Jodi Emery

Associate Dean

Jodi’s primary job is to bring energy and honesty to work. People are her passion, and more specifically helping people achieve their personal professional potential is what drives her every day.

Jodi completed a BA, MPA, and doctoral coursework in Communication at the U. Her marketing and communication career included brine shrimp, an international humanitarian nonprofit, coffee, public radio, and the University of Utah. Jodi has worked with Continuing Education for over nine years, and is thrilled to serve in the interim leadership role during this pivotal time for higher education.

Outside of work Jodi is a serial home remodeler, loves to visit new national parks with her family in their Airstream, and takes advantage of the nearby mountains with skis, bikes, and her hiking shoes.

Nate Friedman

Associate Dean

From Camp Counselor, to Director of Youth Protection, to Senior Director of University Pathways, Nate has done it all in Continuing Ed. He has devoted his entire professional career to inspiring others to pursue education. With a B.S. and MPA from the University of Utah, he understands the educational value of this institution. His vision is that everyone, regardless of background or place in life, sees the U as accessible and knows that a degree is achievable.

When Nate is not at his desk, he is out enjoying life and learning new things. He may be skiing with his two boys, riding a mountain bike with his wife, or cooking dinner with family.

Korrin Ebira

English Language Institute

At the ELI, Korrin held every position from Short-Term Course Instructor to Director. She uses this varied experience to help her oversee the different programs available at the ELI.

Korrin earned her B.A. in Theoretical Linguistics and her M.A. in Applied Linguistics at the U of U. She is very happy to be working for the university she loves!

Korrin loves adventure and her greatest passion is to travel. Her favorite place in the world, so far, is at the top of Mount Misen on the island of Miyajima in Japan. She often “sets sail” with her two sons who share her same love for adventure. When not traveling, she is known to head out to catch a photo of a Utah sunset or newly-fallen snow as all this beauty is within close proximity to the U’s campus.

James Elder

Information Systems & Technology

James is the director of Information Systems & Technology. James is passionate about the role of technology and data in higher education which explains his 20+ years here at the U. If Jodi is the self-proclaimed cheerleader, James is the self-proclaimed realist.

When not learning about current technology trends, you will find him either on his drum kit or spoiling his nieces in Disneyland!

Anya Petersen-Frey

Finance and Operations

Anya Petersen-Frey was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in New Jersey and Georgia. She is a nomad who has lived in 10 states (including Alaska) and traveled in several countries but is happy to call Utah her forever home as she continues to explore the world. She loves to learn and stays current on new technologies and trends in the marketplace. Along the way she has completed her MBA, doctoral coursework in business, and holds various certifications. In her spare time Anya loves to play outside hiking and biking in our beautiful state.