Front and Center

Crew Members Andy, Bill, Birkin, Mike, Laura, & Jean

We've frequently trumpeted the value of collaborative learning and networking that are emphasized at the Grad Center. This month's "Front and Center" is living proof of the existence and power of these attributes as we salute not an individual but a compact of GCers. Members of our MSIE Class of '04 bonded quickly during their days with us, and their cooperative spirit and efforts benefited each member of the group.

Knowing a great thing when they saw one, Bill Angevine, Laura Krahn, Birkin Diana, Jean Erickson, Mike Sardinas, Andy Cassidy, and Mary Koury continue this mutually-supportive relationship to this day. In fact, they have gone so far as to rent space at the Grad Center to hold their test servers, and they "chat" regularly to share information, provide assistance, and explore ideas. As Mike Sardinas points out: "Each of us has expertise in their own area, but together we are a strong collective of technically minded people. Not only do we share knowledge in the moment via email, but we often post our knowledge on the Internet, allowing it to be shared 24/7.

Jean Erickson cites an example of how the collaborative approach paid off: "I was called to work as a contractor for a company where I formerly worked, to help them sunset their AS400. I was able to get assistance from Laura, which was immensely helpful in my being able to successfully complete the project."

Laura Krahn notes a reciprocal experience: "I was creating a site for the Middlebury Ski Club, www.middskiclub.org. The race administrator asked for online race registration the week before Christmas, plus payment functionality, and I wrote up the specifications with her. I hired Jean to create databases and write the software while I worked on site design, content, and stylesheets. The site was up and running in a few weeks, and registering racers for races in January. We have been pursued by other ski clubs who want to purchase the online race registration for their websites.

Andy Cassidy adds that the networking has helped in his work, too, with "MS Office VBA programming, Linux configuration and administration, and computer hardware selection, modification, and upgrading."

Thinking back on their days at the Grad Center where all this began, members of the group are quick to credit the atmosphere of encouragement that helped them attain new levels of success. Mary Koury praises her fellow-students: "I was pulled into everyone's curiosity and desire to learn everything possible and I thrived on it!" And Birkin Diana adds: "Both professors and classmates regularly forced me to think about 'approaches' in design and system development that have improved the quality of my work, and have improved my ability to effectively apply new languages I've since learned."

Considering his fellow group members, and thereby capturing the essence of the Grad Center, Bill Angevine sums it up well: "To paraphrase 'It's not so much what you know, but who you know,' as well as, the corollary 'It's not what you know, but how you know to get the answer.' My classmates exemplify both statements as we continue to strongly network, email, IM, and communicate our findings, as well as, the process we used to find the information. This then gets multiplied across the team as each member works to add value. It is a unique and wonderful opportunity we are leveraging."

We couldn't agree more, Bill. You are a "unique and wonderful" group, and we are so very proud that you are all part of the Grad Center community.

Best-Selling Author at Grad Center

Mark Albion

Mark Albion delighted a packed house at the Grad Center on Tuesday, November 14. Dr. Albion wrote the New York Times bestseller, Making a Life, Making a Living. He is a social entrepreneur who has cofounded seven organizations including Net Impact, an international network of MBAs dedicated to creating a better world.

In keeping with Marlboro's long commitment to the social conscience, Dr. Albion spoke on his latest book, True to Yourself: Leading a Values-Based Business, which looks at the successes and mistakes of 75 of our most successful leaders to find out how to build a business that reflects your values.

A recording of his talk is available in MP3 format.

Class Notes

Ed Brouder, ISM '99 recently informed us that he has just published his second book. He and co-author Maurice B. Quirin have written a 431-page book on the history of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Naturally they're selling copies on-line via a web site designed by Ed (www.mhtbook.com).

Brimming with historic photographs, memorable quotes, and first-hand accounts of history in the making, Manchester's Airport: Flying Through Time chronicles the birth, adolescence, and adulthood of one of America's leading airports.

Daredevil balloonists thrilled residents of Manchester - New Hampshire's largest city - well before the airport's humble first flight in 1927. Little more than a grassy landing place for barnstorming aviators, the airport often struggled for direction.

In 1941 the Army Air Corps transformed sleepy Manchester Airport into Grenier Field - the launching point for thousands of aircraft and personnel during World War II.

After the war, it seemed Grenier Field was of no use to the military, seemingly spelling its doom. But like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, strong leadership and a vision of what could be, helped Manchester's Airport soar into the 21st century. Today Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a driving economic engine for New Hampshire.

Authors Moe Quirin and Ed Brouder pored through thousands of photos, records and historical accounts to craft the story of New Hampshire's leading center of aviation, and introduce you to the people who helped Manchester's Airport fly through time.

Linda Donaghue, updated us:
The puppy is two years old, the hobbies, well, they're REALLY old, and the children are having their own children. As to the job, however, we at Twin Valley may all need new ones which brings me to the topic of voting. If you have folks on your mailing list from Wilmington and Whitingham, please plug an additional vote required NEXT Tuesday, November 14, on whether to keep or dissolve the collaboration which created Twin Valley High School two and a half years ago. The students overwhelmingly believe it's working as do the staff. Collaboration, offering more opportunities to students, was a step forward. Dissolution is a step back.

Badi Jones, gave us this news:
Since graduating, I was hired by a company in South Carolina that runs several websites. The one that I work on is a travel website that basically does the same thing that Hotels.com does. The site is totally static, and contains over 30 thousand pages. You might wonder what an MSIE graduate is doing working on a static website. I asked the same thing when I started working there, but I am definitely putting my skills to work and then some. One of my job functions is to make mass changes over all, or sometimes just part of those 30,000 static html pages. I accomplish this with mostly with perl scripting. You are probably asking yourself again: "Why not make the site dynamic?". Well, the site gets the vast majority of its traffic from Google, and Google can be quite sensitive to any major changes made on any site. So we could make the site dynamic, but the risk of loosing most of the profit deters us.

My other responsibilities include:

• dynamically creating mass batches of new pages for the site
• I created and manage a ranking and review system for over 50,000 hotels, which keeps a running historical rank score for each hotel.
• I created and maintain a backup system for several sites owned by the company
• a lot of other odds and ends

I also develop websites in my spare time. My favorite of those would be the site SEOlogs.com (http://www.seologs.com). It's a site about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). I made about 20 tools that webmasters can use to gauge how well their sites are ranking in the search engines. I actually started making tools for the site in the 2nd trimester of the MSIE program. I was able to use a lot of the things that I was learning to make the tools on the site.

I'm also working on a project with a fellow MSIE alumni, David Cole, who graduated (I think) 2 years before me. He was actually the person who told me about the MSIE program.

Well, I miss the Grad Center terribly. I really wish the program could have lasted longer, but I was glad to graduate.

Mike Hoefer, ISM 2000, sent us the following:
The Hoefer's have had a third child since my last update. Alexander (1) joins sisters Madison (4) and Taylor (6) I am still at MARKEM Corp in Keene (six years next month.) Most recent job title is Web Marketing and Content Manger. Due to change next month, as we seem to have a policy about keeping the same job title for more than 11 months.

On the Internet Strategy front my efforts running the website (Word Press) and email news letters (Constant Contact) helped elect Molly Kelly to NH State Senate. Was great to be close to the campaign, I learned a great deal. Now that she is Senator Elect we are going to look at the CiviCRM project (http://civicrm.org/) to be a part of her ongoing web presence. The intersection of politics/social good and internet technologies continue to be of great interest to me. If anyone wants to be in touch they can reach me at mhoefer@gmail.

Ann Manwaring, ISM '01 recently told us: I have a new job. Hopefully one issue I can address is increasing access to cyberspace to the whole state. http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_4623296

Ken Larson, ISM '03 wrote:
My twin brother and his wife had a baby a few months ago, James Richard Larson. I just found out I am going to be the Godfather of little James.

I am very excited by the fact that my brother actually wants me to be his Godfather. My bro is a quiet layed back kind of guy and I was surprised to learn that that was what they both wanted.

Other than that, had a nice vacation in the White Mts with my older brother. 5 straight days in early fall of perfect weather for hiking and over 100-120 miles of visibility. We did hut to hut hiking and it was a blast.

Settling in on the winter hobbies. Thinking about competing in snowboard boardercross this year. Going to be tinkering around with music and mathematics in an effort to create a cathartic form of trance music. Will pursue my inventions in the natural course God has planned for me. I do feel that there is a destiny there rather than a self fulfilling prophecy type mechanism at work. And lastly I may pursue reiki and vibrational healing tactics and my understanding of energy centers. I will work on building my music library up as well. I am trying to understand the link between emotion, energy centers and music and brain waves.

I am just more centered on focusing on my life and creating it just the way I want it. I mean, I am starting to understand that I control just about all of it and I know my time here is limited...all of us have a finite time here. I feel more like doing the things I really want to do. It's just this mature thought of understanding that has come over me as corny as that sounds. "Hey, this is a gift this life and you only have about 50 more years of life'." You need to understand you are a part of everything.

Anyways, stay tuned.

Career Opportunities

Information Technology Director
City of Somerville
Somerville, Massachusetts

The Information Technology Director reports to the Mayor and oversees an annual budget of approximately $2.5 million that includes all technology used by the City's 1,800 municipal and school employees, including hardware, software, telephones, and networking. Additionally, the new IT Director will define and help manage implementation of projects for residents and businesses, such as a citywide wi-fi program and efforts to create a technology infrastructure that supports and attracts technology companies. Finally, the Mayor expects the new IT Director to play a key role in advancing ongoing 311, SomerStat, and customer service initiatives, by providing technical and managerial guidance on how technology can help revolutionize City operations and customer service delivery. We aspire to be a national model of best practices in municipal technology and are looking for leadership that can envision and plan how to achieve these goals. Salary is $80,000 - $110,000 commensurate with qualifications.

Requirements: A Bachelor's Degree is mandatory and a Master's Degree is preferred, with a combination of both technical and managerial work experience.

Application: Send resume to:
Kathy DiCiaccio
City Hall
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
Phone: (617) 625-6600
Fax: 617-666-4426


Lubin Family Chair in Instructional Technology
Emma Willard School
Troy, New York

Responsibilities:

• Enable faculty and staff to stay abreast of current thinking in the role of technology in teaching and learning; create opportunities to foster the purposeful use of technology with individual faculty and departments.
• Facilitate technology integration across the curriculum, inspiring innovation in the application of technology as a resource.
• Initiate dialogue between teaching faculty and IT staff to continue to improve services, infrastructure, and procedures; assist with implementation and training so that the imaginable becomes the doable.
• Set reasonable and imaginative technology curricular goals in consultation with faculty, the Dean of Faculty and the Dean of Curriculum and Program.
• Lead the Academic Technology Committee, reporting annual progress toward agreed upon goals to the Dean of Faculty and the Dean of Curriculum and Program.
• Model wise, ethical, and creative use of technology, as well as effective pedagogy, in his or her classroom.
• Initiate opportunities to provide direct instruction to students, creating dialogue to facilitate and improve as necessary services, infrastructure, and procedures.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate has superb communication skills, a conviction that girls must and can be leaders in the area of technology, a level of skill that will inspire confidence, a sense of humor, a track record for innovation, and proven success in teaching. The ideal candidate will be an optimist who delights in thinking outside of the box and enjoys the adventure of seeking out and working with teachers and students. A high degree of proficiency in technology is required.
Recommended: BA or BS in computer science (or related field), Master's degree preferred, 5 years teaching experience suggested.

Send cover letter and resume to:
Barry Leibson
Director of Information Services
Emma Willard School
285 Pawling Avenue
Troy, NY 12180


Instructional Designer
Kennesaw State University,
University of Georgia
Kennesaw, GA

This position will provide pedagogical support to individual faculty and departments in creating and delivering hybrid and totally online courses and degree programs that take advantage of technologies that contribute to effective student learning. In addition, this position will keep abreast of emerging theories and applications of instructional design and technology and will disseminate these to faculty. The position occupant will also write and develop instructional materials, design and present faculty development seminars on the use of educational technologies, work effectively with people of varying backgrounds and levels of technical proficiency, and collaborate with professionals in instructional technology.
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 2 years experience in conducting/ coordinating technology-related projects. Strong management, organizational skills and the ability to build and maintain professional working relationships with university faculty are required.
Desired additional qualifications: Applicants must hold a master's degree in instructional design, instructional technology, or related field, with at least two years experience in instructional design, preferably in a higher education environment. Position open until filled.
To apply visit: http://www.kennesaw.edu/hr/pro_job_opportunities.shtml

Instructional Designer
Pace University
Pleasantville, NY

Job Description:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to functioning as the central resource person for all faculty by communicating to them the appropriate practices used to enhance their courses through the use of technologies and web based resources while assuring enhanced teaching and learning. Supporting faculty development by incorporating new techniques in instructional design especially with the Blackboard course management system. Play a key leadership role with the development of online courses and programs and assuring the necessary support for faculty developing their courses.

Job Requirements:
Master's degree in Instructional Design or three years experience with Instructional Design and web based creation of courses. Knowledge of the basic Instruction Design theories and models for successful web based teaching and traditional classroom teaching. Proven experience with online teaching or learning. Experience with various web based software applications; with Web Design as well as web design applications and HTML editors.

Intrested applicants should go to http://appserv.pace.edu/execute/page.cfm?doc_id=22051 or contact:
James F Stenerson, Ph.D.
Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology
Pforzheimer Center for Faculty Development
Pace University
Bedford Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570
914-773-3317

Associate Director for Research Technology
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Description: The Associate Director for Research Technology assists the Director of Academic Technology with development of University-wide technology services and programs in support of research across Tuft's eight schools. The position's responsibilities include planning, development, implementation and evaluation of research technology systems and related support services at Tufts that cut across academic areas including engineering, the humanities and the life and social sciences. A willingness to collaborate by establishing and maintaining productive working relationships and lines of communication within TCCS and among the schools, academic departments and local information technology groups is essential for success.

Requirements: This position requires a Masters degree in Computer Science or related field with a professional focus on research computing. A minimum of five years of progressive IT management experience in higher education or a comparable comprehensive computing environment is also required. The selected candidate must possess significant experience in technology management, program development and the supervision of technical teams. Extensive understanding of a wide range of technologies and their application for research across academic disciplines with a specific focus on high-performance computing, scientific, visualization and collaboration and data storage services is essential. The selected candidate must have demonstrated abilities in program planning, budgeting, administration, and evaluation as well as project management and staff leadership skills. Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills are required. All applicants must possess a valid driver's license.

Application: Apply online at https://recruiter.kenexa.com/tufts/cc/Home.ss?ccid=bupJEdUjsTs%3D

Director, Technology in Education Partnership
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, Massachusetts

Description: Serves as Director of TEP, a collaborative organization comprised of school districts in Franklin and Hampshire Counties whose primary goal is to develop and share technology resources for K-12 schools in Greenfield Community College 's service area. The TEP Director is a GCC employee who reports to the College's Director of Information Technology. 21 hours/week, $20-25/hour, fully benefited; one-year appointment.

Minimum qualifications:

Strong background in technology.
Minimum of three years of relevant experience; or
Bachelor's degree in related field with two years of exemplary experience.
Excellent writing, verbal and electronic communication skills.
Excellent organizational and resource development skills including strength in proposal writing, grants management, budget oversight, organizational leadership, and political advocacy.

Preferred qualifications:
Background working in secondary and/or post-secondary educational settings.
An understanding of the educational technology needs of students and teachers in diverse settings, as evidenced by documented experience.
Knowledge of issues and problems of rural communities, as well as familiarity with Massachusetts Department of Education policies and programs.
Master's degree in education or other field relevant to the position.

Application: Greenfield Community College requires that all cover letters, resumes and contact information for 3 professional references be submitted online at http://www.gcc.mass.edu/offices/hr/careers.html.
When preparing your cover letter and resume, please refer to the minimum and preferred qualifications and, if applicable, include an equivalency statement. Screening will begin with applications emailed, faxed, or postmarked by November 17, 2006. Additional applications may be considered until the position is filled.

Rusty Shutter Imaging
Bernardston, MA

Russ Bixby of Rusty Shutter Imaging is looking for a Dreamweaver designer or student who could do a redesign of his web site, below.
http://www.rustyshutterimaging.com/

He would like to create a logo, reorganize the navigational structure and add link pages. The below site illustrates pretty much where he would like to go.
http://www.afischerphotography.com/

Also, he would like to be able to maintain the site on his own. He has Dreamweaver 2004 on his computer with Cute FTP for transfer to his host.
Contact:
Russ Bixby
33 Huckle Hill Road
Bernardston, MA