UEN Media Services

Katie Garrett oversees the digital media services at the Utah Education Network. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Utah State University and a Masters of Education in Instructional Design and Education Technology from the University of Utah.

Within UEN, Katie leads numerous statewide digital media initiatives, encompassing digital content repositories, accessible online video and media production support.

Outside of work, Katie finds joy in trail running, rock climbing and time with her family.

Nicole Reynolds (BA) is a Filmmaker from Ogden, Utah. While attending the University of Utah, in the Entertainment Arts and Engineering program, she realized the coding aspect of CGI wasn’t sticking and took a hard left into editing. She was soon splicing together family travel videos and other school assignments. In 2013, she received a Bachelor in Film and Media Arts and a Minor in Arts and Technology.

After graduation, Nicole became an intern at UEN and has been with UEN ever since. She is currently a Senior Producer and the lead producer of “PDTV” and “Sci-Tech Now.” She is also the lead animator of the team and enjoys creating motion graphics in Adobe After Effects. Her locally produced content for Art Connection and SciTech Now has been selected for national broadcast for 20 public broadcast stations nationwide on multiple occasions.

In her time off, Nicole loves to travel, attend concerts, and spend time with her husband and two dogs.

Fernando Lara (BA) is a Documentary Filmmaker based in Salt Lake City, UT. Originally from Ecuador, he relocated to Utah in 2003. Fernando embarked on his filmmaking journey by creating videos for YouTube, eventually establishing his production company. Concurrently, he pursued his education in film at Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah. In 2014, he earned Bachelor's degrees in Film and Media Arts, as well as Mass Communications.

As a freelance filmmaker, Fernando has collaborated with various local companies, artists, and clients, producing a diverse range of content including music videos, commercials, short films, and documentaries. Joining UEN in 2017, he currently serves as a Senior Producer, leading projects such as the weekly show "Art Connection" and UEN's “Homeroom” podcast.

In his time off, Fernando spends time with his wife and kids and enjoys reading graphics novels and building Lego.

Cassandra Taylor Empey has dedicated over a decade to filmmaking, serving as a camera operator, editor, and director of photography on award-winning documentaries that intricately capture the human experience. Cassandra received formal training through Spy Hop Productions, Salt Lake Community College, and the University of Utah.

Her journey with UEN commenced during her final year at the University of Utah in 2018. Over the past six years, she has been instrumental in the production of all of UEN’s local programs, showcasing her expertise in filming, editing, and sound operation. Currently, Cassandra spearheads the creation of a new program, "Students in Focus." One of her favorite aspects of working with UEN is the opportunity to travel the state, connecting with teachers, delving into new knowledge and sharing their impactful stories.

Cassandra finds joy in traveling, spending quality time with her husband and dog, Zelda, rock climbing adventures and attending concerts.