Abstracts: Lightning Talks

Unleashing the Power of Volunteering: A Journey of Personal Growth and Community Transformation

Lisa Brown

Volunteering is a powerful force that goes beyond altruism; it serves as a catalyst for personal growth and community transformation. Engaging in volunteer activities provides opportunities for skill development, enhancing communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. As individuals challenge themselves through volunteering, they uncover hidden talents and build confidence, which translates into improved self-esteem and resilience. Volunteering is also a conduit for forging meaningful connections with others, creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie within diverse communities. Volunteering is not just an act of giving; it is a transformative journey of growth, resilience, and community empowerment.

This presentation will explore how volunteering within SIGUCCS was impactful to the speakers’ career development, as well as the development of the community that you are experiencing.

How to survive private data leak incidents in campus IT systems?

Yong Jin, Matsuura Satoshi, and Masahiko Tomoishi

Private data preservation is one of the essential issues in IT systems. In campus IT infrastructure the private information of staff and students are used in many applications for education, management, and personnel affairs. Once any private data leak incidents occur in a campus IT system, a complete recovery from the damage is rarely possible. It should be noted that an internal private data leak incident has the same effect as a user allowing their own personal data to be compromised. The causes of private data leak incidents include not only cyber-attacks such as intrusions, phishing, and malware-infections, etc., but also can include application bugs as well as mistakes by the staff themselves. The overall impact of a private data leak incident depends on the cause and it can be limited to an organization network or the whole Internet. It is nearly impossible possible to completely undo a private data leak incident once it happens, however, something can be done to survive private data leak incidents from campus IT systems. This lightening talk targets how to survive the private data leak incidents involving campus IT systems by focusing on the network configuration, communication policies and secure data sharing strategies, and incident responses.

Everything’s Gone Green: How Old Technology Inspired Support Documentation Maintenance – Lightning Talk

Mo Nishiyama

As a recent first-time homeowner, I’ve became acquainted with the challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities of yard maintenance. The task of managing the upkeep of the yard was intimidating at first, but using my experience as a technical writer and editor, the ongoing yard maintenance became easier as the year went on.

Both support document and yard maintenance have many things in common: long-term planning, repeatable steps for addressing unexpected issues, navigating stakeholders and their needs, learning about emerging technology, understanding the user community, and handling time scarcity.

In a current IT world where we have many amazing emerging technology that can potentially help improve service delivery, sometimes inspiration comes from older practices. This Lightning Talk will explore these commonalities and lessons learned–and attendees won’t need to get their hands dirty!

My 2023 SIGUCCS Book Report

Laurie Fox

The SIGUCCS Book Club reads six books each year on topics ranging from leadership to personal productivity. This lightning talk will cover our 2023 titles. The book selections were:

  • Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters by Laura Vanderkam
  • Belonging At Work: Everyday Actions You Can Take to Cultivate an Inclusive Organization by Rhodes Perry
  • Creative Acts for Curious People: How to Think, Create, and Lead in Unconventional Ways by Sarah Stein Greenberg
  • Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear by Richard Sheridan
  • The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life by Allison Fallon
  • Mind over Monsters: Supporting Youth Mental Health with Compassionate Challenge by Sarah Rose Cavanagh

Acronyms Unplugged: A Journey into the Wacky World of Tech Lingo

Laurie Fox

Are you tired of feeling like you need a decoder ring to understand technology-related acronyms and words? Join us for an enlightening talk that will take you on a journey through the bizarre and sometimes nonsensical origins of tech acronyms and jargon. Get ready for laughs, puns, and a few facepalms as we uncover the secrets behind the cryptic language of geeks and gurus.

In this lightning talk, we’ll dive headfirst into the rabbit hole of tech jargon and emerge with a newfound appreciation for its sheer absurdity. From the hilarious mishaps of early tech pioneers to the creativity (or lack thereof) in acronym creation, we’ll explore it all. We’ll also dig into the art of creating tech acronyms, where genius and absurdity sometimes collide. We’ll explore how some of our favorite companies and projects came up with their quirky names, from “Google” (inspired by the number “googol”) to “Wi-Fi” (short for “Wireless Fidelity,” but fidelity to what, exactly?).

So, bring your curiosity, your sense of humor, and your willingness to be amused as we unravel the enigma that is tech acronyms and jargon. Get ready to ROFL and LOL at our hilarious tales of linguistic mayhem!

(Note: Audience members with a weak sense of humor or an allergy to puns may experience uncontrollable laughter. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Perception Is Reality

Becky Klein

Step onto the higher ed tech support stage with me in this lightning talk to review the drama of the interplay of perspectives, often left backstage. Beyond the technical aspects, the question arises: whose perspective takes the spotlight
when providing support services? I’ll make the case for dual starring roles in a comprehensive approach extending beyond an IT technician’s viewpoint to embrace the equally vital end user’s perspective.

As we raise the curtain, I’ll explore the scenes that may unfold when technicians and end users perceive situations differently. How do these diverse perspectives influence the overall service experience, and how can we rewrite the script for mutual benefit? I’ll examine the gaps and alignments between IT professionals and end users, encouraging a thoughtful reconsideration of current practices.

As the final act approaches, we’ll unravel the profound impact of subtle perspective shifts between colleagues, shaping the grand delivery of technology support services. From understanding the end user’s expectations to refining IT strategies, this discussion promises valuable insights for anyone involved in the intricate world of higher ed tech support, ensuring you receive a standing ovation at the end of your performance.

Lots of Logs to Look After

Becky Klein

Join me as we embark on a journey through the managerial forest – the struggle to effectively navigate the dense undergrowth of crucial information about team members. Have you ever blanked out when filling out a past employee’s reference, struggled to keep track of who’s on which rung of the disciplinary ladder, or simply forgotten which day a team member was planning to be out of the office? If you
find it beyond challenging to keep tabs on the who, what, when, where, and why of your direct reports, this presentation is perfect for you.

Discover a strategic solution that transformed my ability to oversee and nurture a high-performing team – the implementation of a comprehensive log file for each direct report, like well-marked side trails along the path of management. I’ll share the profound impact of maintaining such detailed records, offering insights into the practical aspects of utilizing this strategy.

By the end of these seven minutes, you can expect to acquire valuable tips and tricks empowering you to elevate your management practices. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting, these actionable insights will equip you with the tools you’ll need to optimize your approach to team management. Join me in this engaging discussion, as we traverse a virtual journey through the woods, exploring pathways to enhance your practical habits for lasting success in the managerial expedition.