Front and Center, Kathy Urffer

Need a copy of your transcript? Contact her. Have a question about your status? She's the one. Have a project that needs an extra pair of hands? She's there.

Kathy Urffer. Photo by Beth Ravit.

Meet Kathy Urffer. Her official title is Administrative Assistant. As the Maven of Multi-tasking, however, a more fitting one would be: Administrative Assistant/Registrar/Student Service Provider/Utility Infielder. Among her many duties, she collects, records, and distributes all the students' grades, helps schedule classes, sends out class weekend reminders to students, and works with organizing and running new student orientation, While that might be enough to satisfy most workers, in Kathy's case we take a line from the TV infomercials, "But wait, there's more."

When not occupied with the above tasks, Kathy also willingly pitches in helping with everything from admissions office mailings, to re-writing portions of the website, to assisting with the painting of the new gallery. Added to that, she serves as the Grad Center representative to the Staff Task Force. And, she's taking a class at the GC for good measure!

Obviously, Kathy is having an outstanding impact on the Grad Center, but her energetic influence doesn't end there. Prior to her arrival at the GC in the fall of 2004, Kathy worked as an Operations Director for an environmental advocacy agency in the New York City/New Jersey area. Fortunately for southern Vermont, she has brought her indefatigable commitment to the environment to our community and currently serves as the V.P. of the Board of the West River Watershed Alliance. Kathy has also volunteered with the Vermont Nature Conservancy, and many-a-morning she has arrived at the GC having already done her civic duty by taking water samples on the way in or monitoring the fish ladder at the Bellows Falls hydro-electric plant.

And by now if you're thinking, "Kathy, take a breather," it's good to note that she does so. Only her "R&R" consists of taking aerial fabric classes (think Cirque du Soleil) and creating a show for Brattleboro Community Television.

So, for all of this Kathy, for what you have brought to the Grad Center, for how you have represented the center in the larger community, and for all the good works that you do to make this world a better place in which to live, we give you three, well-deserved cheers.

New Class, Winter '06

Winter '06 Orientation

What a start to 2006! Thanks to the ever-growing reputation of the Graduate Center, anyone who was with us this past weekend knows we are serving a full house. We kicked off the Winter Trimester on January 6 by welcoming 19 new matriculated students In addition, 6 more enrollees are attending classes on a Continuing Education basis.

We're delighted that our new students bring much to the Grad Center. Academically, they are particularly well-prepared and include graduates of institutions that range from Antioch to the University of Vermont. Typical of the GC, they also represent a variety of impressive backgrounds that will increase the strength of our community: programmers, network administrators, educators, business owners, and graphic designers are among the members of this group.

As is customary of our community, new members were quickly made to feel "at home" by our returning students at a "welcome reception" on Friday evening before they all blended in their classes. Introductions, "inside scoops," mutual acquaintances, and shared interests quickly led to conversations and beginning friendships as new and returning students, faculty and administrators all partook of that most typical of Grad Center traditions‡Friday night pizza. And so, a new class and a new year are properly on their way.

New Faculty Members Join GC

It hasn't been only a good "recruiting season" for the Admissions Office. We're delighted that we continue to bring superior talent to our teaching ranks. Combining strong classroom skills with exemplary achievement in their fields, our new instructors will make the GC academic experience even stronger.

Carol Forsythe is teaching MSM and BSMIS Project Management, and her exceptional record of achievement in that area will allow Grad Center students to learn from a "master." She brings to the GC 18 years experience as a project manager, and she has expertise in program and project management, business process specification and implementation, and information management. While working for Hewlett-Packard, Carol led an international, cross-functional team that reengineered the services Asia Pacific supply chain, saving $1,000,000 per year in operational costs.

Carol is a Certified Project Management Professional and a Certified Quality Technician. Rounding out her resume, she is 2005-06 President-Elect, Project Management Institute-Keene, NH Monadnock Region Chapter

Having served as a guest lecturer recently in a usability workshop in the Conceptual Web Development MSM class, it was obvious that Steve Fadden is a resource we want as part of the Grad Center faculty. This trimester he is teaching Human Computer Interaction in our BSMIS program. His impressive credentials underscore his outstanding qualifications for this position. Steve received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he specialized in cognitive psychology, human perception, and applied human factors research. In addition, he has a solid history of conducting research, evaluation, and project management in academic, industrial, and government settings.

We're pleased as well that Steve also serves as Director of Research and Associate Director of the National Institute for our neighbor, Landmark College. This position allows Steve to bring a new perspective to the Grad Center and furthers our goal of making the southern Vermont a stimulating, intellectually-collaborative region.

Calling All Capstones

Ah, yes. You remember your relaxed, stress-free Capstone Project hours well. Now it's time for our next group of stalwarts to begin this GC rite-of-passage. We'll have our Capstone Kickoff session during our next class weekend, January 21. In the meantime, if you have any ideas for a good Project, will you please let Kevin know at kbell@gradcenter.marlboro.edu? We appreciate your support.

A Picture's Worth....

A thousand words? Sure. But it can also be worth some CASH. We're looking for photos featuring YOU, and we're willing to pay for them. This is our first Grad Center Photo Contest

Here's the scoop: we think our students do some great things, and we want to share that reality with the public. So, we're looking for photos that will include you and will capture three concepts: technology, creativity, leadership. Do you have a digital shot of you and one of your cool projects or doing something clever with one of your classes or that highlights the imaginative place where you work? Then send it in to Kevin at kbell@gradcenter.marlboro.edu. Three prizes will be awarded:

First Place	$100.00
Second Place	$50.00
Third Place	$25.00

All photos submitted by 5:00 p.m. next Monday, January 16, will be considered.

We're looking forward to hearing from YOU, and we appreciate your support.

Class notes


Jeanne Eicks, ISM 99 told us: I've recently had a baby (Keira Marie - 7lbs 13oz and 21.5 inches on June 13th), changed jobs (went from tenure track faculty at VTC to Director of Technology at Vermont Law School) and was hit by a car while crossing in a crosswalk (Dec.). Life has been happy, exciting and, well, a pain in the leg. The baby is beautiful, the new job is fabulous and my leg hurts. I'm looking forward to returning to my new job as soon as the doctor lets me.

I'm also President of Locust Creek, which is still thriving, and I enjoy my web strategy work as much as ever.

In my free time, I'm still an adjunct faculty member at VTC.

MacDara King, MSIE '01 sent us the following : I just got engaged over new-years, and I'm still working at the Foreign Policy Association as Director, Online Projects and Executive Producer, Great Decisions Television. I'm now wrapping up the production of our TV series, "Great Decisions," which airs on PBS for the next 13 Saturdays. Keep an eye out for it if you are into foreign policy issues. Early 2006 will focus on launching phase II of our site www.FPA.org so if anyone has any usability/nav tips for deep sites (or budget wedding planning tips) please feel free to get in touch.

Diane M. Harney, MAT '00 updated us: You timing is excellent . . . you caught up with me on a break morning. I am currently herding 16 students through Australia (or parts of it). We are studying comparative media systems in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane -- here for 25 days.

You can follow our travels at http://studyaway.plu.edu/australia which is our blog. We are one of 7 courses on the site which includes trips to each continent. Lots of fun.

Erin Weisburger, MSIT '05 emailed us: The night of the last class, my mom and some friends and I opened a new art gallery in Fairlee, VT. It is called the Palisades Gallery and Frame Shop. Framing is by appointment only right now. John Hanning was nice enough to come by after class on his way home to check out the opening. We had been renovating the building for the past two months and it is now officially in business. The night of the 10th (December) my mom and I both sold a piece (she a painting and I a photograph). So exciting! I spent a couple days before the holidays manning the gallery with my dog at my side. Nice and quiet. I just sat there and drank coffee and read all day. Well needed chill time.

I had a wonderful holiday! My family celebrates both Xmas and Chanukah, so it was a busy month. This year we celebrated at the house with my parents, myself, my exchange student from high school, Andrejka, and her parents from the Czech Republic, and my boyfriend Elliot. It was a full house! Andrejka's parents speak almost no English so Andrejka spent the whole time speaking twice as much as everyone else translating back and forth, but it was a blast as her parents are so much fun.

I've been back in NYC at Elliot's apartment in Murray Hill for the last week or so looking for a new apartment and a job. We signed a lease on our new place on Saturday! (And oh my GOD did we drop way too much on the deposit! NYC is so expensive!) A swankified little one-bedroom with office space in the East Village, half a block from Tompkins Square Park (where the biggest dog run in the city is... perfect for my Golden, Bodi). I have a meeting with Strategic Work Force this afternoon. They're a placement agency that specializes in technology and one of the big wigs is a friend of the family's... connections!

Coming back to NH on Friday to start packing up my life so I can move on February 1. I miss everyone! I hope all is well at the GC!

Career Opportunities

APPLICATIONS PROGRAMMER , Vermont Energy Investment Corp.

Work as part of our IT team to design, develop and support database applications. Requirements: 2 years experience developing database applications. Experience with MS Access, SQL, at least one SQL programming language, and VBA required. Delphi experience preferred.

Vermont Energy Investment Corporation is a nonprofit energy services organization that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy, including the delivery of Vermont's statewide energy efficiency utility - Efficiency Vermont.

They are looking for energetic, enthusiastic individuals with a commitment to improving the environment to join their team. They offer competitive salaries and a generous and progressive benefits package. All positions require exemplary written and oral communication skills, including superior proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database software, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities, and proven ability to be organized, detail-oriented and accurate.

VEIC offers very competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including 30 days of paid annual leave. They expect work to be challenging, rewarding and fun. They are not very hierarchical, preferring a more "family style" environment that emphasizes camaraderie and cooperation. They also expect you to have a life outside of work.

Please email cover letter and resume to resume@veic.org by January 18th.

MANAGER OF WEB SERVICES ITS DEPARTMENT, Landmark College

Landmark College has the following opportunity in the Information Technology Services Department. Reporting to the Director of Information Technology, the Manager of Web Services is responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining the Intranet campus-wide communication and information system, and related web-based course management systems. The Manager collaborates with faculty and staff on web project planning and implementation, and provides user training on web resources and consultation and back-end maintenance for the College's public website.

Qualifications: Master's Degree or equivalent experience related to web-based technologies and a minimum of five years experience managing web services preferably in a higher education environment. A minimum of two years experience with web application design and programming; strong working knowledge of HTML, SQL, Javascript, CGI and at least one of CFML, PHP or ASP; and experience maintaining web servers are required. Experience with CSS, Cold Fusion and Apache web servers is preferred. Solid understanding of web usability and accessibility requirements and strategies as well as site, page and content design is necessary. Successful experience leading and managing projects and a strong ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, and students are essential. Landmark College offers challenging employment with competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit program including medical insurance and a tuition reimbursement plan.

Interested individuals should apply with a cover letter and resume to: Director of Human Resources, Landmark College, Box 820, Putney, Vermont 05346. For more information on Landmark College please visit our website at http://www.landmark.edu.

PROJECT MANAGER, Landmark College Institute for Research & Training (LCIRT)

The Project Manager (PM) is responsible for managing projects at the Institute and preparing new business initiatives and projects for deployment and implementation. Reporting to the Associate Director, the Project Manager will work on ensuring the successful implementation of grant, foundation-, and client-funded projects. The PM will also work with LCIRT staff, College faculty and staff, and partner organizations to develop new business opportunities.

The PM should be well-versed in project management, with a portfolio demonstrating successful project initiation, implementation, and close-out. The position requires developing and implementing contracts and subcontracts, working with clients and contractors to ensure understanding of timelines and deliverables, and managing project details to ensure timely delivery to expected standards of quality and service. The PM will conduct market research to analyze new market opportunities and work with Landmark College staff to identify appropriate clients.

Responsibilities include managing active projects, cultivating new projects, and ensuring smooth operations across internal and external staff and partner organizations. Due to the changing nature of the market, and the need to be responsive to state, federal, and industry requirements, the PM must be able to thrive in an environment of change, and be responsive to new directives and guidelines. Frequent business travel is required. Required qualifications and skills: Master's degree in business, education, technology, or related field; at least 3 years experience in administration or project management; experience with educational projects and working with educational personnel; demonstrated ability to manage complex projects on-time; strong attention to detail; ability to maintain complex filing systems and track numerous project details to support government and internal audits; outstanding communication skills, including public speaking, familiarity with project management software (e.g. Microsoft Project), word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications; genuine interest in, understanding of, and commitment to issues and concerns for students with learning disabilities/attention deficit disorders. The ideal candidate will have a Doctorate, consulting experience, experience developing and presenting professional development to educators, and previous teaching or higher ed experience. Actual experience working with students with learning differences a plus Individuals interested should apply with a cover letter, resume, and three references to:

Director of Human Resources
Landmark College
RR1 Box 820

Putney, Vermont 05346
Resumes may also be sent by email to: tbrown@landmark.edu

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS , Chittenden Services Group

Chittenden Corporation, a regional financial services company, is recruiting for two experienced Learning & Development Specialists for their organization. Positions would require travel to affiliate locations within New England. One individual would be based in Brattleboro, VT and the other in Portsmouth, NH. These roles are responsible for developing, designing, implementing, and conducting a variety of training programs. Experience includes a college degree, prior training experience including delivery and design, and proficiency in Microsoft Office suite needed. They offer an excellent benefit and compensation package. If interested, please send a resume, along with salary requirements to the address below or apply on-line at www.chittendencorp.com. HR 150 Bank Street Burlington, VT 05401 hcorpjobs@chittenden.com

PROGRAMMER, Gravity Switch

Gravity Switch has an immediate need for a contractor to work for 3-months programming HTML and CSS. This is a part time on-site position, with the possibility of turning into a permanent or full time position in the future. They estimate it to be between 12-20 hours per week, depending on skill level of applicant. This job will include creating HTML and CSS for multiple web projects. You'll be working with a team of professionals including UI designers, Graphic Designers, and Testers (QA). Details of the position are posted online at: http://www.gravityswitch.com/careers/ .