Program: Computer Information Technology
Education/Industry Certifications: Associate of Applied Science degree, McCook Community College, 1974; Bachelor of Science degree, Kearney State College, 1983.
Has Taught at SCC Since: 1984
Years of Work Experience Outside SCC: Eight years
Describe your teaching philosophy.
I try to center my coursework around real-life, real-world applications so that the students can not only have ways to apply what they're learning, but they also can get excited about the learning process. I want my students to know that I am here to help them learn and to assist them in pursuing their goals in CIT.
Why did you decide to teach at a community college?
I started teaching at SCC thinking I would work here for just a few years before moving on to other things. Instead, I fell in love with teaching and became an avid fan of SCC's philosophy to train students for employment. So, what started as a short-term plan became my life-long passion.
What can prospective students expect when they enroll in your program?
Students can expect to be enrolled in classes that give them the skills they need to attain a job in the IT field. The CIT program is structured to accommodate a diverse student population. Students can take classes part time or full time, and we offer daytime, evening and online courses. This flexibility allows student participation in our classes while maintaining a balance with their job and family commitments.
What experiences outside of SCC do you bring to the classroom/laboratory that enhance student learning?
I am still a student at heart and always enjoy learning new things. The IT field is constantly changing, and it would be impossible to keep up in today's tech world without a love of learning and the desire to explore new ideas and trends. I try to bring this love of technology to my classrooms and show students how exciting and impactful technology has become in our lives today.
What advice do you have for students pursuing a degree in your program?
Make school and learning a priority. Finding balance is difficult, but in order to successfully complete our degree, it's so important to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities presented in our program.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
Like most instructors who dedicate their lives to teaching, I love seeing a student's "light-bulb moment," especially when it's a student who has been struggling. Technology is multi-faceted, and it's so fun to see a student put the pieces together to figure out a concept and then apply it to solve a technology problem.
What is the best part about being an SCC faculty member?
I believe success is all about teamwork. My program is full of gifted, passionate teachers who put in the hours to see students succeed. We all have a common goal and work toward it together. Plus, sometimes we have pot lucks, which is a perk (insert smiley face).
What has been your proudest moment as an instructor?
I received an email from a student a few years back in which he sent me a photo of a house he had just purchased. In the email, he told me that owning his own home was his dream, and that he couldn't have achieved this goal without his degree from SCC.
What do you like to do when you're not teaching?
Spending time with family, friends, my cat, and doing some quilting.
What would students be surprised to know about you?
I don't know if this is surprising or not, but I got my start in IT in the 1970s working as a data entry keypunch operator. I also operated a mainframe computer and taught myself COBOL, FORTRAN, and Basic programming languages (I think I just dated myself quite a bit.)