This article is part of a series introducing the 2017-2020 SIGUCCS Executive Committee. Each Board member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

How did you get involved in SIGUCCS?
Some coworkers were presenting at the Baltimore conference in 2004, and I went along. I had heard a lot of good things about SIGUCCS from other folks, and wanted to check it out.

Why did you want to be a Board Member?
Service is a hell of a drug. The more you volunteer for events, mentoring, and conferences, the more you see how crucial that service is to the sustainability of this organization. The Board is the next step, and will allow me to give that much more, and I can do my part to keep this great group running!

Who in SIGUCCS inspires you?
Wait, I can only give one answer? So many folks . . . Mo Nishiyama never fails to impress me how he can capture an audience in less words than it takes you to order at Starbucks. Trevor Murphy taught me that it’s the people who DON’T come up to introduce themselves that need (and are worth) attention. Of course, Laurie Fox showed me that life can throw all sorts of stuff at you, but as long as you stay strong, SIGUCCS will be there to prop you up, and then you owe it to SIGUCCS to prop up others after that.

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
I convinced one of my SIGUCCS mentees to ask to be promoted to CIO at his college — and it worked!

You could always stop and talk to me about…
The Green Bay Packers

What do you do for fun?
I read way too much, and when I’m not staring at a screen or a book I like to get outside — camping, hiking, fresh-air sorts of things.

What are you looking forward to at the SIGUCCS 2017 Conference?
Yet another chance to see a great group doing great things!

How do you take your coffee?
In a cup, preferably my SIGUCCS 2008 speaker mug.

This article is part of a series introducing the 2017-2020 SIGUCCS Executive Committee. Each Board member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

How did you get involved in SIGUCCS?
I decided it was important for my career goals to be published and also improve my public speaking, and SIGUCCS conferences allowed me to do both. My first SIGUCCS conference was in 2008 and I’ve been attending ever since. Volunteering to help with various aspects of the conference was a natural extension of my participation- I got a lot of benefit from attending the conference, and I wanted to give back.

Why did you want to be a Board Member?
I’ve been focused on advancing my career the past several years, and SIGUCCS has been an important part of that. Through SIGUCCS I’ve been mentored and have met valued friends and peers who constantly amaze, inspire, and challenge me to do better. SIGUCCS has helped me up my game, and I want to help build more resources so future participants gain the same benefit.

You could always stop and talk to me about…
LGBTQ and Women in Technology-related career and workplace matters, resume advice, baseball (especially the Giants), dogs, travel, and favorite beers or breweries.

What are you looking forward to at the SIGUCCS 2017 Conference?
Seeing good friends!

How do you take your coffee?
All the ways! At home I typically use a drip method with cinnamon in the grounds, sometimes black and sometimes with cream (real cream). Sometimes I cold brew, again with cinnamon mixed in the grounds. At work I have a Nespresso and usually aim for an intense ristretto, black because I dislike having to deal with storing or steaming milk in my office. At a coffee shop, I typically get a flat white, double soy latte, or an americano.

This article is part of a series introducing the 2017-2020 SIGUCCS Executive Committee. Each Board member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

How did you get involved in SIGUCCS?
My longtime former manager, Mark Ritschard, introduced me to SIGUCCS in 2005 by sending me to the fall conference. I was immediately hooked!

Why did you want to be a Board Member?
I’ve been inspired and challenged by SIGUCCS members, and I’m ready to return the favor. Truly, since I’ve benefited from the collective knowledge and spirit of this group, I want to contribute in my own small way, and support my colleagues so that they can get the most out of this powerful community.

Who in SIGUCCS inspires you?
My mentors through the formal SIGUCCS mentoring program: Mat Felthousen, Sheri Prupis, and Brian Allen, for their individual wisdom and collective willingness to be my trusted advisers; Beth Rugg, for informal mentoring, pulling me into her circle, and always being amazing and accessible; my SIGUCCS “tribe”, including Laurie, Allan, Chris, Kristen, Lucas, Mo, Scott, and Shawn, for listening to my boring gripes, daily challenges, dumb questions, and bad jokes at times too numerous to mention; and every board member, ever volunteer, every presenter, and every person who’s worked in public or behind the scenes to make SIGUCCS great. Every volunteer moment is a blessing to the rest of us.

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
I’ll never forget the first major presentation I gave, which was at SIGUCCS 2009. It felt like I’d reached the next level to be accepted as a presenter. Before my presentation, I worried that I wouldn’t do it right, that no one would come, that it wouldn’t be interesting. As I walked into the room (late!), I saw that the room was full and even overflowing into the hallway. They’d all come to listen to ME. That was when I felt the flash of pride and humility at the same time: I was proud that they were there for my presentation, and humbled because I knew I was just one of them, doing my best to teach what I had learned.

You could always stop and talk to me about…
Classic wet shaving. Also, brewing and roasting coffee at home.

What do you do for fun?
I write fiction, including novels (no, haven’t finished any). I also play and dabble in designing board games.

What are you looking forward to at the SIGUCCS 2017 Conference?
Networking with friends and colleagues, and celebrating their accomplishments of the past year.

How do you take your coffee?
Light to medium roast, fresh ground moments before brewing, pourover brew, 1:18 coffee:water ratio. Black or with a touch of cream, depending on the quality of the coffee.

This article is part of a series introducing the 2017-2020 SIGUCCS Executive Committee. Each Board member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

How did you get involved in SIGUCCS?
My director suggested I go to my first conference. Within a few years I was asked to volunteer for different conference positions and have been active on and off (mostly on) ever since.

Why did you want to be a Board Member?
One of the things I learned in my early years with SIGUCCS was that working in IT in higher education was a career, and that I could grow into different positions and roles. Now, having been in these positions and after moving into management, I want to help keep this organization strong, provide direction, and help others see the potential of a career path in higher education.

Who in SIGUCCS inspires you?
For a long time I was inspired by the people that were on the board. Their hard work and dedication to the organization were admirable… look where that got me.

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
Getting my doctorate last year, walking 2 half marathons this year so far (with two more to go).

You could always stop and talk to me about…
Boy Scouts – my son is an Eagle Scout and I am still active in his old troop.

What do you do for fun?
Right now I am a 10U baseball groupie… I have been going to 10 and under baseball tournaments. And I don’t even have a 10 year old! It’s a lot more fun when you are going to see someone else’s child. (Our neighbor’s youngest plays)

What are you looking forward to at the SIGUCCS 2017 Conference?
I am looking forward to re-connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. I enjoy the relationships that I have built through the conferences.

How do you take your coffee?
I don’t 🙁 but am looking forward to Seattle anyway. Its not all about the coffee!

This article is part of a series introducing the 2017-2020 SIGUCCS Executive Committee. Each Board member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

How did you get involved in SIGUCCS?
One of my colleagues recommended I try the ACM SIG conference related to my career interests in 2006. To convince my boss to let me travel to Edmonton, I also presented that year.

Who in SIGUCCS inspires you?
I have been fortunate to work alongside many amazing SIGUCCS volunteers on conference committees and the Board. Melissa Bauer convinced me to attend my second (magical) SIGUCCS. Kelly Wainright inspired me to increase my volunteer involvement beyond Session Chair in St. Louis. Rob Patterson taught me that if you want people to make new friends and mingle, don’t give them chairs.

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
I recently led a project to replace our LMS. We implemented Canvas in 4 weeks, and migrated all of our faculty and courses in under 10 months!

You could always stop and talk to me about…
Time Management – I love exploring how to make the best use of time and managing my lengthy to-do list.

What do you do for fun?
This is actually a hard question for me to answer, because I try to find fun in everything I do. If I have “me time”, I usually spend it reading.

What are you looking forward to at the SIGUCCS 2017 Conference?
The SIGUCCS 2017 conference committee is preparing a great event with lots of opportunities to network with other attendees. I enjoy meeting and talking with new people! I also have never been to Seattle so I am excited to visit a new city.

How do you take your coffee?
Light and sweet! (Caramel is a bonus)