In This Issue
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IT Workforce Summit
"Collaborating to Create a Robust Workforce"
"Very exciting!"... "Keep this going!!"... "Powerful"
Those are just a few of the many positive comments attendees at the June 12, 2008 Summit shared with the Center, and we intend to keep the initiative active and on the move.
One method used to do this is our online idea rating Web site. The ideas generated during breakout group sessions are listed at http://strategicit.dialogr.com/index.cfm. They will be the basis for future initiatives. We need your help to prioritize the ideas - Which do YOU think are most important to create a robust future workforce? By logging-in and rating the ideas, you have an effect on the future. Top rated ideas will become Center projects under the leadership and direction of those who committed to an active role--which many participants did.
This is an ambitious enterprise-to change the predicted future of IT in Minnesota. Please visit Dialogr today. Idea rating will continue until August 1. A summary report will be issued in late summer to participants and others who indicate an interest. Post-Summit follow-up will include an online conference to discuss top rated projects and develop committees that will pursue development of top projects.
About the Day
Keynote speaker Diane Morello opened with challenges and observations from her perspective as an IT analyst with the Gartner Group. Dan McElroy, Bruce Steuernagel, and Kyle Uphoff offered Minnesota viewpoints. Afterward, panelists discussed perspectives on Minnesota's current and future business and IT climates. The Summit culminated with small group ideation sessions.
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Secure 360 2008 Conference
The 2008 Conference, "Evolving Threats and Practical Solutions," held on May 13 and 14 was highly successful.
The Center for Strategic IT & Security provided leadership for the marketing committee. The committee generated record participation this year. The Center also provided graduate and student worker volunteers to assist at the conference. |
MnITcareers.org
The Center's career Web site is now more than a student portal - new capabilities make it an IT Gateway. Enhancements include a highly visual presentation, interactive discussion board, and connection to MinnesotaWorks.net, a highly powerful job search Web site.
Other Features Include:
Explore: Information about IT careers
Learn: Information on IT degrees, certificates, and special programs.
Develop: Career development opportunities outside the classroom (internships, networking, etc.)
Connect: Discussions on the latest IT topics - and more
IT Success: Inspiring stories of rising in an IT career
Profile: Create an online "Professional Portfolio" then add the URL to your resume to send potential employers to your URL. |
Outstanding Achievement
CSITS Program Receives Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology, Information Security and Privacy
Darren Dannen, the Center's senior security project manager provided leadership for the timely completion of campus security assessments at all MnSCU campuses and the Office of the Chancellor.
The Information Security Assessment Program provided a baseline of the current security practices and posture for protecting private data of the students, alumni, staff and faculty at each of the MnSCU institutions and identified common issues that can be addressed through system-wide initiatives.
This nomination, the only one submitted by MnSCU this year to the national association, reflects outstanding work over the past 18 months and truly outstanding accomplishment. |
Association Outreach and Involvement
This spring the Center exhibited at two conferences. The MHTA "Innovation: The New Global Currency: How Do We Measure Up In A 24/7/7 World?" held April 24, 2008 and the Minnesota Telecommunications Association Conference "Get on Track - Train for Success" held June 4-5, 2008. |
Staff UpdatesFirasat Kahn joins the Center for FY09 as Senior Security Project Manager. Michael Musa, graduate assistant; Nicholas Bawek and Abdi Ahmed, student workers, have joined the Center staff.
Laikun (Helen) Tang has served a dual role as office manager and project manager since May and will continue until a new office manager is hired (Kudos to her energy, efficiency, and great work). Brenda Austin, former office manager, has returned to college. Don Lewis and Norm Witt have moved to positions outside of the Center. Senior security project manager Darren Dannen is on leave for a year serving in Afghanistan.
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Center Reaches Out to 6-12
Lego Robots
The Center collaborated with the Center for Community Based Learning through their College for Kids program to offer middle school students an opportunity to program Lego Robots on May 1, May 9, and May 16. This interactive class was most frequently listed in the students' feedback as the workshop that was the most fun during their day on campus.
Upward Bound
Metropolitan State, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, is offering its first Upward Bound summer program. Arlington High School students will finish four weeks of academic enrichment programs by spending a day on campus exploring areas of study on July 17. The Center will sponsor the Information Technology area. The IT career session will include discussion of what jobs are available in IT, an overview of iseek.org, games, and a Q&A session with college students who will share their knowledge of IT majors and careers.
Computer Geek U
This two week summer program hosted by East Metro OIC and created by IHCC, is being offered July 21 - August 1, 2008. High school students complete a 60-hour introductory course in computer hardware, networking, and operating systems. This course prepares them for the more in depth After School Tech Program.
After School Basic Computer Tech Program
Motivated students from Hastings, Sibley, Simley, Woodbury, and South St. Paul high schools took advantage of this after school program to get a jump on their college education and IT careers. Students learned to manage and troubleshoot personal computers and upon completion of the course (which is based on CISCO curriculum) students are prepared for CompTIA's A+ certification. Additionally, this course can help to fulfill a course requirement for the Computer Network Technology program offered at Inver Hills Community College.
Another four sections of the Basic Computer Technology program will be held in September and in October 2008. Locations include Apple Valley, East Metro OIC in St. Paul, and Inver Hills Community College. Contact Lynn Mesna for further information or to register: 651-450-8365. |
Center Reaches Out to College Students & Alumni
IT Career Fairs
The Center hosted two IT-focused Career Fairs in April 2008 - first ever IT Career Fair at the Minneapolis MCTC /Metropolitan State campus on April 9, and at IHCC April 15. IT Students from both schools took advantage of the opportunity to talk with representatives from numerous companies. Employers commented on the high quality of the students they met. Prior to the events, Center staffer Kate Southwick met with IHCC students to help them prepare.
Career Networking for IT Students
The IT Career Networking Events was a new initiative offered in coordination with student success days at MCTC on February 5 and at IHCC on February 26. Both events packed the rooms with students and IT professionals, offering opportunities to learn and practice interpersonal networking skills, and resulting in many new employer connections and a better understanding of the importance of creating and building a career network.
Student-Alumni Action Board (SAAB)
The SAAB recently added two new members, Jim Brennan and Koffi Gozo.
Board members provide valuable input on Center projects and planning, while they (and their resumes) benefit from involvement. Members enjoyed such career development opportunities as attending the IT Workforce Summit, presenting Lego Robots classes, and participating in Inside IT video shoots. Members Jereme Allen and Nicholas Bawek were instrumental in the re-design of MnITcareers.org. |
International MERLOT Conference
The 2008 MERLOT International Conference (MIC) will be held at the Minneapolis Hilton August 7 to 10, 2008. The MIC is designed to foster learning, innovation and practice in the use of information, instruction, and communications technologies in higher education.
It is the venue for educators, administrators, and technologists with interests and expertise in technology-enabled teaching and learning who recognize the need to remain current in this rapidly advancing field of educational practice and theory.
The Conference offers many opportunities to gain practical skills in the use of educational technologies through interactive hands-on workshops lead by peers and industry-sponsored technology showcases. Frequently, attendees gain new insights into applications of these technologies to higher education in these practical workshops and demonstrations.
"Online Career Development: Informational Interviews" was chosen as one of the mini-presentations and poster sessions for the Conference. The presentation will highlight "Inside IT," the three online learning modules created by the Center to help students and job seekers better understand informational interviewing, career networking and on-the-job success skills. |
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MJSP Grant Awarded for Women in IT Program
The Center initiated a partnership between WomenVenture and Inver Hills Community College to create a program to bring women into IT careers. The proposal for this program was awarded a $109,000 MJSP grant. |
Midwave Scholarship Winners
The Center for Strategic IT & Security, Midwave Corporation, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Univerities Foiundation announce the recipients of the Midwave IT Sholarships for Fall 2008.
Metropolitan State University
- Abdifatah Ahmed
- Nicholas Bawek
- Alan Walsh
Inver Hills Community College
- Sameer Mohammed
- Mike Stearns
- Adam Weisenburger
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
- Kwame Sefah
- Steve Williams
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
- Jim Brennan
St. Cloud Technical College
- Dan Christensen |
