In today’s rapidly evolving Higher Education environment, IT professionals of all types face a unique set of challenges that require constant adaptation and innovation. Navigating these challenges alone is not only daunting but can limit both personal and institutional growth. This is where communities of practice, like SIGUCCS, become invaluable. These communities offer a supportive network where professionals can share experiences, solve problems collaboratively, and develop new skills. More than just a professional network, SIGUCCS is a space where IT professionals can thrive together by leveraging collective knowledge and shared resources. This session is designed to set the tone for the next three days of the conference by highlighting the critical role that communities of practice play in the professional development of Higher Ed IT professionals. Participants will be introduced to the concept of leveraging communities like SIGUCCS to not only address current challenges but also to foster long-term success and innovation in their institutions. Through real-world examples and personal anecdotes from SIGUCCS members, we will explore how these networks have contributed to problem-solving, professional growth, and the development of lasting relationships that transcend individual roles and campuses. The session will feature interactive activities, including group activities foster immediate connections and shared insights. These discussions will allow participants to reflect on how being part of a community has helped them overcome professional challenges and develop innovative solutions in their roles. By the end of this session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the value of communities like SIGUCCS in shaping their professional journeys. They will also be energized and ready to fully engage with the conference, making the most of the networking, learning, and sharing opportunities available. Whether you are a new member or a seasoned SIGUCCS participant, this session will help you tap into the collaborative spirit of the community and leave you poised to make the most of the next three days.
Our panel will include students from various universities discussing what life is like seeking support for their IT needs on campus, in classrooms, and online.
Student employees are vital to IT organizations in higher education. While some may devalue the contributions from student members of our work communities, the fact is that in the big picture, students are the reason we’re all employed. Part of our responsibility as fellow educators is to ensure they gain the skills required to succeed once they matriculate. Specific needs vary among institutions, but some basic practices can be widely applied. Our approach treats student employees with the same level of respect we’d give a full-time employee, including investment in their development through experiential learning. The acronym CARE (Collaboration, Appreciation, Respect, Empathy) forms the basis of tangible practices that elevate student employees as members of the team. Investing in our students leads to a fundamental change in the way our organizations function for the betterment and benefit of both our clients and the students themselves. For instance, a focus on collaboration leads to coaching and championing our student employees, appreciation leads to the practice of acknowledgement, respect leads to improved retention, and empathy leads to excellence. This panel will focus on how institutions of differing sizes and structures allow each of us to achieve success using this approach. We’ll discuss each of our varying approaches as well as the experiences and results we’ve seen by utilizing our own methods. The examples listed in the previous paragraph are just a teaser of the CARE approach - join us to get the full spectrum of our approach. The foundation of our approach is simple: happy people are productive people - we take care of the employee; they’ll take care of the work.
Assistant Director, Campus Relations, Drake University
I oversee the ITS Support Center, manage ~25 Student Techs, and administer our TeamDynamix system.My certifications and campus roles:NCBI facilitator and ally-in-trainingAdjunct ProfessorAdvisor, Pi chapter, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music FraternityCPR/AEDMHFAQPR
Assistant Director: Service and Process, Hope College
Reagan Chesnut (she/her) is the Assistant Director: Service and Process at Hope College in Holland, MI, where she equips users with skills and knowledge to self-sustain technology use, designs training and resources for community confidence and competence, and performs as part of... Read More →
