Carey Applegate, Ph.D., CPACC
Director of Digital Accessibility
Dr. Carey Applegate joined UIS in April 2023, bringing nearly two decades of expertise in instructional design, educational program management, and university-level teaching and research. In her role with the Office of Digital Accessibility, she is dedicated to promoting inclusive digital environments.
An advocate for equity in education, Dr. Applegate's research explores rhetorics of activism, anti-racist pedagogies, and the intersection of advocacy and digital accessibility. Additionally, Dr. Applegate serves as an affiliate faculty member in the English department at Bradley University.
Dr. Applegate holds a doctorate in English from Illinois State University, a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi, and a certificate in digital accessibility. She is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
Jacob Gulso
Digital Accessiblity Remediation Specialist
Jacob Gulso joined UIS in November 2024, he has a diverse background of experiences in higher education. He advocates for equitable access to education for all students.
During his time at ISAC, Jacob facilitated multiple workshops and public speaking events aimed at helping high school students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Later, he served as the Disability Services Coordinator at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In this role, he sourced and provided e-books for students with accommodations, facilitated assistive technology support, and collaborated with the Title IX office and web development team to create a custom CRM framework.
Jacob holds an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Network Administration, with honors, from Lincoln Land Community College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University.
Olaitan Olukunga
ODA Graduate Assistant
Olaitan joined the ODA in January 2025 as a graduate student pursuing her Master of Public Health degree at the University of Illinois Springfield following her Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree with an intense passion for personal and community development through her contributions in all causes towards the empowerment of vulnerable populations and underserved communities. Bringing her empathetic spirit and over 10 years of professional experience in community health and several community outreaches and services in different governmental and non-governmental organizations, Olaitan works in different capacities with the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team (DART) of the ODA to achieve the ODA’s goals and objectives of compliance with the digital accessibility guidelines for all digital content and resources. With her proactiveness and great attention to detail, she utilizes her organizational and remediation skills in editing and captioning multimedia content and other digital content to ensure digital accessibility in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Olaitan loves adventure, cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Barbara Crankson
ODA Graduate Assistant
As a master's student in public administration and non-profit management with a background in communication, I am pleased to have joined the DART team, where I will contribute to communication strategies while developing new skills in video captioning and PDF remediation.
I am grateful to Dr. Carey for providing me with the opportunity for a worthwhile summer filled with valuable learning experiences.
As a graduate assistant during my time in school, I am happy to help students and also volunteer most of my time with the civic engagement team and clubs, such as the Rotary Club, the Red Cross Society, and the Student Government Association.
Gagan Nannuri Chandrashekar
Project Manager - DART Lead
Gagan Nannuri Chandrashekar is a Master’s student in Computer Science at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). He currently serves as the Project Manager – DART Lead for the Digital Accessibility and Remediation Team (DART). In this role, he leads campus-wide digital accessibility efforts to create inclusive and user-friendly online spaces. After earning his undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering, he worked as a Software Engineer and Java Developer Intern. He gained hands-on experience in web development, data and cloud engineering, Oracle ERP systems, and database optimization. Gagan also has leadership experience as the captain of his college athletics team, which built his communication and teamwork skills. He now uses a variety of tools for project management, data analysis, and accessibility. He is passionate about using technology to solve real problems and build systems that are inclusive and easy to use.
Olivia Pribbanow
Project Manager - DART Lead
Olivia Pribbanow joined DART in October 2024 and is honored to work with the team as a Lead. She graduated from her undergrad program with honors in 2023, earning a bachelor of arts in psychology and writing. At UIS, she is now pursuing a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling and hopes to specialize in trauma counseling in the future. Passionate and hard-working, Olivia is dedicated to using her skills to serve those who rely on DART. When she’s not working or studying, she enjoys reading, art, going to concerts, and spending time with her friends, family, and dogs.
Hima Prasanth Reddy Pilaka
Project Manager - DART Lead
Hima Prasanth Reddy Pilaka is a Graduate Management Information Systems student at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), with a background in Mechanical Engineering and professional experience at Amazon in risk investigation. Passionate about integrating Mechanical Engineering and Information systems, he focuses on applying Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) principles to improve processes from design to delivery.
At UIS, he feels honoured to work under Dr. Carey Applegate as a DART Graduate Student Staff-Lead in the Office of Digital Accessibility, supporting efforts to make digital resources more inclusive and accessible. Outside of academics, Prasanth enjoys playing cricket, watching films, and volunteering for good causes.
Maurya Talluru
Project Manager - DART Lead
My name is Maurya Talluru, and I am from Bangalore, India, and I’ve been pursuing my Master’s in Management Information Systems at UIS since Fall 2024. I’m a passionate cricketer, representing the UIS Cricket Team and serving as the Treasurer of UIS Cricket Club. Cricket has instilled in me values like teamwork, discipline, and resilience. I have interned as a Junior Software Developer and as an IT Project Manager after completing my Undergraduate Degree in Computer Science and Engineering, in the year 2023.
Since September 2024, I’ve also been a proud member of the DART team at UIS. I joined as an Accessibility Remediation Specialist and gradually got promoted to my current position- Project Manager- DART Lead.
Sahan Raj Samudrala
Project Manager - DART Lead
Sahan Raj Samudrala is a graduate student in Management Information Systems at UIS and a Project Manager – DART Lead with the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team. Originally from Hyderabad, India, he has a background in Computer Science and experience as a Quality Analyst, where he developed strong skills in testing, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
At DART, Sahan supports campus-wide accessibility efforts using tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro and Equidox to help ensure digital content is inclusive for all users. He’s passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and is always eager to learn and grow.
Outside of DART, he helps lead worship with Christian Student Fellowship and was a college basketball player, bringing teamwork, leadership, and heart to everything he does
Arjun Durgam
Project Manager - DART Lead
Arjun Durgam is a Master’s student in Computer Science at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), passionate about learning, exploring technology, and growing through real-world experience. He currently serves as Project Manager – DART Lead in the Office of Digital Accessibility, where he leads campus-wide digital accessibility efforts, manages cross-functional projects, and builds interactive dashboards using Power BI. Previously, he worked as an Accessibility Remediation Specialist, helping ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards through tools like Equidox and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Working at UIS and under the guidance of Dr. Carey has been a transformative experience, allowing Arjun to deepen his technical skills and make a meaningful impact. Outside of academics, he's a content creator, a social and outgoing individual, and enjoys collaborating, sharing knowledge, and building inclusive digital experiences.
Karan Kumar
Project Manager - DART Lead
With a foundation in clinical pharmacy and a global perspective on health equity, Karan Kumar brings a unique lens to digital accessibility. Now pursuing a master’s in public health (Environmental Health) at the University of Illinois Springfield, he leads the DART team in transforming online content to meet universal design and accessibility standards. His experience spans healthcare, scientific communication, and user-centered digital remediation. Karan is especially driven by the intersection of public health, technology, and inclusive design—striving to ensure that no learner is left behind in the digital age.
Akshith Kukkadapu
Project Manager - DART Lead
Akshith Kukkadapu is a Graduate Management Information Systems student at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and currently serves as the Team Lead and Project Manager for accessibility projects and outreach within the Digital Accessibility and Remediation Team (DART). With a strong foundation in data, cloud, AI, and machine learning technologies, and with professional experience as an Azure Data Engineer, Data Analyst, and Cloud Integration Developer, he brings a forward-thinking approach to problem solving and innovation.
He is passionate about using technology to create meaningful impact whether by building inclusive digital spaces or streamlining complex systems and thrives at the intersection of leadership, learning, and meaningful change.
At UIS, he works under the guidance of Dr. Carey Applegate contributing to efforts that make digital content more inclusive and accessible.
Rohith Kotta
Project Manager - DART Lead
Rohith Kotta is a graduate student in Management Information Systems at the University of Illinois Springfield and a dedicated member of the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team (DART). With over three years of experience as a Database Engineer, he specializes in automation, process optimization, and improving data accessibility.
At DART, Rohith contributes to ensuring that digital content meets accessibility standards by using tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, Equidox, and Kaltura. Aspiring to become a Project Manager, he sees this role as a valuable opportunity to build leadership, communication, and coordination skills while supporting inclusive and accessible digital practices.
Abhishek Reddy Prabhakar
Project manager - DART Lead
Abhishek Reddy Prabhakar is a second-year master’s student in Management Information Systems at the University of Illinois Springfield. With a background in Information Science Engineering, he brings a solid mix of experience in digital accessibility, project coordination, and an entrepreneurial mindset. He’s passionate about networking and building meaningful connections that open doors to new ideas and opportunities.
At UIS, he serves as a Project Manager – DART Lead with the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team (DART), where he works under the guidance of Dr. Carey Applegate. In this role, he supports campus-wide initiatives to ensure that digital content is inclusive, user-friendly, and meets accessibility standards.
Outside of academics and professional work, Abhishek is a part-time YouTube content creator who enjoys video editing, visual storytelling, and meeting new people. He is passionate about using technology to create meaningful, user-focused experiences—whether through accessible digital solutions or creative media. With a blend of technical skill and creative drive, he’s always looking for smart ways to make an impact.
Dhishitha Pratap
Project Manager - DART Lead
Dhishitha studies MS in Cybersecurity management. She has 6 years of IT experience in the lines of security protecting data and compliance of organization. However, she bagged her oncampus and contributing to DART team as a Lead where she is able to work on Residential Life and ODA DART and fostering a culture of collaboration. She is well versed in video captioning and a patient spot checker.