Q. What are some current technology applications not currently utilized at FSCJ that you would like to implement?

A. Although I haven’t yet fully investigated the enterprise architecture for administrative and academic computing at FSCJ, I do know that higher education institutions are moving in several major directions that require new technology thought and innovation.

One area is data analytics and the ability to make data-driven decisions at all levels of the institution. I’ll be looking at our initiatives in business intelligence, enterprise information management, big data and learning analytics and how all these come together to provide the College with a competitive advantage.

Another area is meta-literacy and mobile computing. Certainly our world is moving from eLearning* to mLearning* at a rapid pace. Here at FSCJ, we need to concern ourselves with how best to meet the needs of the learners as the transition from a focus on teaching to a focus on learning occurs. Technology-infused and digitally-enhanced education is at the top of my list, so we’ll be looking at how to best build infrastructure, support services, and professional development opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.

*eLearning is the use of electronic media, educational technology, and information and communication technologies in education

* mLearning or mobile learning can be defined as learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices

Q. With technology constantly evolving, how do you plan to keep FSCJ at the forefront?

A. We’ll be designing a technology ecosystem for the College that includes forward thinking computing models and applications involving convergence between information technology planning and enterprise application architecture*.

New models of computing, such as cloud computing*, will undoubtedly be part of this mix, but we’ll also look at bring-your-own-device (BYOD), and models of computing that work in concert with virtualization at the end-point device playing a part in our future. Mobility in computing is important, connecting the student digitally from school to professional life is important and supporting paradigms of education that include personal learning clouds and managed digital presences are important consideration to keep us in the forefront.

Moreover, we’ll need to continue to build new skills, stay at the edge of emerging technologies and build the reputation of FSCJ as an innovative technology thought leader going forward.

*enterprise application architecture describes the structure and behavior of applications used in a business, focused on how they interact with each other and with users. It is focused on the data consumed and produced by applications rather than their internal structure. In application portfolio management, the applications are usually mapped to business functions and to application

*cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, where shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network. Clouds can be classified as public, private or hybrid

Q. What technology trends do you see emerging now that could be an asset to FSCJ in the future?

A. Certainly mobile computing is high on the list. Computing anywhere and at any time is important to today’s learners.

The use of data analytics to inform instructional design, student services and enrollment management are critical in today’s globally competitive environment. A viable and robust operation data store and data warehouse that support the use of business intelligence and analytic software is important to improve quality and drive technology, not as a cost, but as an investment.

And as we are currently engaged, a robust and integrated enterprise resource planning* (ERP) model to manage operations and provide services to students is important. We’re currently seeing major advancements in the design and construction of true and robust ERP concepts that engage and support the student life cycle.

*enterprise resource planning is a business management software—usually a suite of integrated applications—that a company can use to collect, store, manage and interpret data from many business activities including product planning, cost and development; manufacturing or service delivery; marketing and sales; inventory management, and shipping and payment

Q. What areas do you plan to focus your attention on first?

A. My first order of business is to get to know our people. Human resources are the chief assets of any organization, including information technology organizations. I was drawn to FSCJ by the quality and talent of the folks I met in initial meetings. The more I’ve grown to know of FSCJ, the more I’m convinced that we can together accomplish many exciting things and see our College grow and prosper in new ways.

I’ll be meeting, of course, with all the folks from our information technology organization, but also from academic affairs and the business functions in the College to establish and cultivate good business relationships and partnerships.

Strategic planning will be a focus as we work through College governance and our stakeholders to put in place a roadmap for a successful future involving the innovative use of technology.

Q. What advice/thoughts do you have for employees as you join FSCJ?

A. Please know that I am excited to join the FSCJ community and that working together we can accomplish many exciting things for our students, faculty and staff. I’m looking forward to serving the College in my role as Chief Information Officer and know that creating an ecosystem where technology is a true investment in our future will be an exciting journey.

I’ll ask all technology stakeholders in the College to join me in building technology infrastructure, enterprise applications, service management frameworks, project management capabilities and educational technologies that enable FSCJ to stay at the forefront of higher education today and continue to grow and prosper into the future.

Q. What was your favorite food when you were a child?

A. Absolutely and indisputably pizza!  Partly induced by my frequent visits to the Little Caesars Play Palace.  When I was a child a good pizza was, in my mind, the world’s most sought after meal, and of course it was cool too since the ninja turtles were pizza lovers. I’m always open for an invitation to pizza!

Q. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?

A. Thirty minutes of free-time is rare for me, I spend a lot of time working even in traditional off-peak hours - something that isn’t unusual in IT.  Usually I will call my wife and ask her how her day is going and if there is anything I can do for her, as well as find out how the kids are doing and if there’s anything I can do for them.  I’m a family guy, so any time away from work is normally and happily spent with them. When I’m with them I try my best to be completely with them, but I’m always plugged into the Ethernet in some way.