Front and Center: Annesa Hartman, MAT '02
If you're seeing stars lately, you may be looking at Amazon's high "user ratings" for Annesa Hartman's books. She has authored: Exploring PhotoshopCS and Exploring IllustratorCS (Delmar Learning), and Producing Interactive Television (Charles River Media).

"I got so much out of my experience at the Grad Center…in an environment of close-knit cohorts and plenty of resources. "

We're also proud to say that she is an alum of the Grad Center. While completing her degree, Annesa focused on instructional design for online technologies, and web and graphic design concepts and programs. Thinking of her time with us, Annesa says: "I got so much out of my experience at the Grad Center. It was an opportunity to effectively combine two areas that I enjoy - teaching and technology - in an environment of close-knit cohorts and plenty of resources.

Thanks to this GC connection, here's some exciting news. You'll have the chance to learn directly from this "star" when she returns to conduct a Flash workshop in February. Watch for the February "G See" for more details.

And the next time you're feeling a bit overwhelmed because you have too much to do, consider how Annesa stays busy. That's BUSY!

In addition to her writing, she is currently the Instructional Designer for the National Institute at Landmark College, where she designs, develops, and instructs teaching and learning programs for the college's outreach programs. She also teaches computer graphic courses online and is a contributing writer for PC Today magazine. Annesa also is a certified Photoshop instructor and was the subject matter expert and curriculum designer for Macromedia's Design Techniques with Flash course. Whew!

Though the above would suggest the opposite, Annesa claims she actually does have some "free" time during which she enjoys digging dirt in her garden or teaching and taking yoga classes.

For all your accomplishments, Annesa, take a well-deserved bow.

Start the New Year Right

Steps to Success.

1. Dream: Ask yourself, "How would I want my life if everything worked out right?" Most people either don't dream at all or don't dream big enough.

2. Learn: Most people who fail in life do so because they reject the advice of experts and accept the flattery of fools.

3. Believe... In Yourself: Self-confidence is not only healthy, it is also contagious. The first step toward others believing in you is believing in yourself.

4. Plan: If you know where you are going and you believe that you can get there, you will find the people to help you and the methods available to achieve every worthwhile goal.

5. Work: Success is hard work; that's why so few people succeed. Most people would rather play than work.

DREAM...LEARN...BELIEVE...PLAN...WORK... and the world is yours. The only limitations that will ultimately hold you back in life will be those you place.

Class Notes

Christopher Cardillo, ISM '02 updated us: "Steadily building my graphic design/web development business (DiligentDesign) since graduating. Some projects I've been working on are:

• A Flash-based "commercial" for UMASS Extension, contracted by fellow alum, Thomas Bunnell
• Web site design and Flash-based interactive teaching module for UMASS Extension, contracted by fellow alum, Jen Kramer
• Web site redesign for law firm in SC, contracted by fellow alum, David Cole.

Also, I'm very excited about a different development for me. I have been working with In-sight Photography Project, a non-profit program in Brattleboro, which gives young people the opportunity to learn photography and darkroom techniques. They are creating a digital photography lab and have chosen me to be their technical director. I'm excited to get the program off the ground and begin teaching kids many of the digital photography and design skills I have been honing, professionally, over the past several years. Happy New Year to all of the GC community."

Andrew Jackson, ISM '99 emailed us: "Still continuing at Vermont Life Magazine as publisher (and several other functions including Webmaster)." See www.VermontLife.com.

Laura Mayer, ISM '99 let us know: "I am currently working at C&S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro as the SQL Database Administrator. I'm still in Bellows Falls, VT. Training for my 5th triathlon on April 24th in Burlington VT, and with 2 children ages 17 and 13 - the older looking at colleges - life is really full right now."

John Vincent, MSIE '04 wrote: "After graduation, I landed a contract position at Towers Perrin in southern NJ, which was recently transferred to centre city, Philly. The work is trying to build one Enterprise Application from lots of various pieces, from various groups with varying vintages. The technologies are Java, Jsp, Struts, EJB, WebLogic and Oracle. There is some new development, notably with XML, Struts, CSS, custom tag libs and a content management system. We, a team of four, expect to deliver a prototype by mid February. In my spare time I am working on some Java Certifications, my aim still being to find a way into B2B using J2EE and Web Services."

Hemant Ojha, MBA '04 told us: "I would say a big "hi" to all my friends. I am still working for Emirates Airlines, but moved into the marketing division (Thanks to my MBA). One good news I can give to all my friends is that I recently got married (November 27th to be precise). Will keep everyone updated of anything new happening in life. Take care and best regards."

Sire Diallo, MSIT '04 gave us the following news: "After graduation I got a job with a great company: ForesTrade. I am the Operations Coordinator. I work as the liaison between Sales/suppliers/customers/ and the warehouses. We have field offices in Guatemala, Indonesia and Europe. Our products (organic coffee and spices) come from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Grenada, and Guatemala. ForesTrade is a socially responsible business dedicated to promoting sustainability at the source. Apart from that, I also teach 'basic computer applications' at the Vermont Community High School."

Ken Larson, ISM '03 wrote: "Not a whole lot is going on here. I've been looking for work in the interactive arena for a while now. I have been contacted several times by some big names in the field about my "interesting" background. I guess you could say we're "dating" at the moment. Anyway, hopefully one of these contacts will yield an "opportunity" in the near future and I can happily report back to you guys with the good news. Happy Holidays Everyone!"

Elaine Young, ISM '99 informed us recently: "I'm the program director for Marketing and the assistant program director for e-Business Management at Champlain College. I've been here since 2000, first as an adjunct, next as a full-time faculty member, and then as Program Director. In that time, we've built a four-year Marketing program, and continue to enhance our e-business Management program. I'm also currently enrolled at Capella University in a PhD program for Organizational Management! By the way... we have a whole slew of ISMers over here -- John Lavalee, Charlie Nagelschmidt, Robert Cartelli, Pam Scanlon, and myself! Cheers!"

Career Opportunities

CiviConnections Grants to Support School Service-Learning
Projects Deadline: February 25, 2005
CiviConnections, a three-year teacher grant program funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the National Council for the Social Studies, supports students and teachers across the United States in linking inquiry into local history with service-learning activities.

Teams of three teachers from grades 3-12 in the same public school district are invited to apply for grants of $7,500 through the program. The grant covers the costs of attending a summer workshop, implementing the program during the fall of 2005, and attending a 2005 conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

Applicants must be members of the National Council for the Social Studies (or agree to join if their application is accepted). Teachers that teach disciplines other than social studies are eligible to apply; however, priority will be given to those teachers who teach social studies or a social science course. Part time or retired teachers are not eligible.

See the NCSS Web site for complete program information and application procedures.
RFP Link: http://www.socialstudies.org/civiconnections/

Two Positions Open
I'm looking for someone who can do basic BlackBoard system administration AND I'm looking for someone to take on Black Board training for Grad Faculty. Contact: Carol Thomas at New England College, Henniker, NH: CThomas@nec.edu

Addison County Job Fair
A Career/Job Fair will be held Tuesday, Feb. 1 at Middlebury College's Nelson Arena for anyone interested in gathering information on career opportunities or seeking employment. Businesses seeking to participate must reserve space by December 31. More info? Contact Patti King at 802-388-7951 or email patricia@midvermont.com