Staff
Prior to his current position as executive director of Advance IT Minnesota, Bruce served in various leadership roles at Inver Hills Community College from 1995 through 2006 as dean of business, dean of student services and executive director of business partnerships. He also spent eight years in higher education with the Graduate School of Business at the University of St. Thomas, and served in management positions with the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Public Schools. He holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in business administration. Recent volunteer work includes serving on the board of directors for Minnesota Computers for Schools and the Upper Midwest Security Alliance.
As associate executive director, marketing & operations, Sharon directs the production of print and online communications, marketing materials and web content. She is the founder of the Twin Cities IT Alumni Association and author of 101 Ways to Dead-end Your IT Career. Sharon manages Advance IT Minnesota operations. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Hamline University. Her diverse career background includes self-employed artist & publisher, stints as web content manager, communications director, and Web evangelist for a variety of Twin Cities corporations as well as development editor for a local publishing house. In addition to having written 11 other books, she has 3 pieces of artwork in the Smithsonian Institution.
As director of partner collaboration and student relations, Kate works with high school and college students to promote IT career awareness and development. She collaborates with MNSCU academic partners and other community and business partners to create programs for increased enrollment and initial job success. Kate has a master's in counseling and psychotherapy and is a certified career management coach. Her 15 plus years experience in higher education include academic and career advising, recruiting and admissions, web site design, and program development. Outside Advance IT Minnesota, she is active in the Middle Eastern dance community, and enjoys theater, camping, travel, and scuba diving.
Mary joined Advance IT Minnesota in March 2009, as IT industry relations director working with its partners to identify and fill skill and knowledge gaps that are not addressed by the vendor community.
Mary has spent the majority of her career in the field of technical training and learning and development. She has worked for both large and small organizations in both the public and private sectors for both traditional and consulting companies addressing both technical and social skill needs.
Mary is a regular speaker at various professional associations and conferences. Mary is also a certified Myers Briggs practitioner. In addition Mary has published articles on consulting in several Microsoft partner publications and on style differences within teams and in the classroom.
Firasat, security project manager for the Information Security Campus Training program, leads Advance IT Minnesota's efforts in security assessments and applications training. Firasat holds multiple certifications in IT and security, has a master's degree in management of information systems, and is pursuing a doctorate in information systems administration. He has substantial experience with curriculum development and teaching in the security and forensics fields, is familiar with management-level support for online learning and instructional design, and has program management experience. He also serves as a part-time faculty member for Metropolitan State University's MIS program and Minneapolis Community and Technical College's IT program, leading courses in MIS and Security.
Web developer and project manager, Geoff leads Center efforts in Web site development and maintenance, as well as implementing online community and marketing efforts.
Geoff has extensive experience in developing university and business Web sites. He was instrumental in managing the Website for Secure360's 2009 conference. He is an expert in managing web sites using open source web content management systems, particularly Drupal. Geoff, a subject matter expert, develops seminars and courses on open source web content management systems for the Center.
Ama, office manager, received certification in three Microsoft 2007 applications Access, Excel, and Word in summer, 2009. Ama manages logistics for Advance IT Minnesota events, offers support for the Mn IT Workforce Collaborative, and keeps the office running smoothly.
Nicholas became associated with The Center for Strategic IT & Security as a volunteer in early 2008, and those efforts led to a paid appointment as a student worker for the organization. He left shortly after starting that position to accept a 6 month paid internship at BlueCross BlueShield of MN, working in their IT Security department. After completing the internship he resumed employment at CSITS, and is currently responsible for website administration, website design, and various other projects essential to company functions.
Altamish Osman came on board June 2009, as student worker; assistant webmaster for Advance IT Minnesota. Currently a student at Metropolitan State University majoring in Computer Information Systems, he will graduate in Fall '10. He helps update The Center's Web sites, StrategicIT.org and MnITCareers.org. Throughout this process he will also be learning the content management system Drupal. His future aspirations are to get a Masters Degree in Management Information Systems and to pursue a career in Networking and Web Design.
Yassin Ibrahim came on board November 2009, as student worker; assistant webmaster. Currently a member of the Student Senate at Metropolitan State University majoring in Pre-law at First College, he will graduate in fall 2010. Pre-law is a program of studies, which prepares student for Law school. He is a Minnesota State University Student Association Mpls. campus representative as well as member of various campus committees. In addition to other duties, he helps update The Center's Web sites, AdvanceITmn.org and MnITCareers.org and throughout this process he will also be learning the content management system Drupal. His ultimate desire is to become a human-rights lawyer.
Advance IT Minnesota is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and managed by Metropolitan State University, equal opportunity employers and educators. © 2009, all rights reserved.
