Oct. 30, 2007 issue
Prior to working at Eastern, I was in computer sales for a number of
years. In fact, I sold computers to EMU and that's how I got to know a
lot of the people I would eventually work with. When my friend, Jean Rauch,
let me know there was a job open, I applied right away.
I've been here a little over seven years, not counting my time here as
an undergraduate. I started out in a unit in the library that was the
precursor to the current Help Desk. Then I came over to the College of
Education to work on a number of technology and learning grants. I started
in the office of Academic Services on the NCATE/LiveText project last
fall. I'm busier now than I've ever been and I really like that. I'm enjoying
it as much as I've enjoyed anything else that I've done on campus.
This really is a team environment and it feels good working with my co-workers.
We have tasks that we know we need to do, and we each have our own assignments,
but we also chip in to get everything done.
NCATE is the College of Education's national accrediting body, and Eastern's
next NCATE re-accreditation visit is in 2010. LiveText is an online documentation
system that we're using to prepare for that visit. It lets us measure
how well our students are doing in nearly 50 programs. Then, when we spot
trends, we can use that information to make improvements.
I work with different departments and help them get documents ready in
LiveText. I also work closely with ICT and as the conduit for information
between the University and LiveText in Chicago. I started on this project
last fall and it has been nonstop. It's been quite fun and it's also been
challenging at times. For me, it's a fresh opportunity and a new
team of people to work with.
EMU is one of the leading producers of professional educators (K-12 teachers,
school counselors, school administrators, special education professionals,
etc.) in the country and has been continuously accredited with NCATE for
50-plus years. It's a rigorous process, and we have to demonstrate that
we're preparing our students to be highly qualified professionals in the
K-12 environment. I'm glad to be part of such a well-regarded institution.
