Program Advisory Board
The CIS Program has an advisory board whose mission is "to provide advice, guidance, and support for the continuing design and development of high-quality degree options at the University of Maine at Augusta."
The current membership includes selected individuals who are currently employed in the information technology field and are in a position to actively participate to achieve the goal of transforming students into potential employees and contributors to the IT field.
Specific goals of the Board:
- To actively engage in curriculum design and development to prepare graduates with the skillsets required for successful careers in industry
- To provide advice and support for the IT discipline and provide guidance in the allocation of resources available for program delivery
- To publicize career placement opportunities for students and help develop student job search and interviewing skills
- To promote business/academic partnerships that provide internship opportunities for CIS majors
- To enhance the students’ academic experience through professional presentations and networking events with technology leaders
- To contribute to the professional development of CIS faculty by keeping them up to date with current practices in the field
- To create opportunities for faculty research partnerships with business organizations and information technology professionals.
Current membership:
Jay Collier - Program Director, Project Login
Jay Collier is Program Director for Project Login, a campaign to expand the network of computing and IT professionals in Maine. He has been leading and promoting learning initiatives for K-12, higher education, and public media organizations for over 25 years, including the Maine Department of Education, Dartmouth, MIT, and Bates College. He has spoken on education and technology at professional conferences in the U.S. and Canada, and was a member of Leadership Maine's Tau Class. For WGBH, PBS, and MIT's Media and AI Labs, he translated academic research into video reports for partnerships with Microsoft, Motorola, the Japan Society, and NTU/Singapore.
Kelly Rickert - Director of Workforce Development - Office of Information Technology
Kelly Samson-Rickert, is the Director of Workforce Development for the State of Maine, Office of Information Technology. Kelly, is a graduate of University of New England, James Madison University, and Shenandoah University. She holds an advanced degree in organizational leadership. Prior to her career with the State, she held leadership positions with McDonald's Corporation, K-12 and Higher Education in human resources and workforce development. She is an adjunct professor for the education leadership doctoral program at the University of New England. Kelly has been instrumental in creating the Office of Information Technology Intern/Mentorship Program. She partners with universities, colleges, and businesses to enhance community relations and highlight the exciting opportunities the State of Maine's Office of Information has to offer. She is eager to learn best practices and research leading trends to better the workplace. Our goal is to provide students with opportunities to learn about the careers in computer science and information technology. "If we can inspire one student to attend college, one student to advance their skills to achieve a career path in technology, one student to achieve their goal, we have fostered the environment for our future citizens to lead for tomorrow."
Natasha Moiseenko - UMA Alumni and Independent Business Owner
Natasha Moiseenko – graduated in May of 2013 with a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Web Design & Development. Natasha has started her own business in Web Design and administrative services and continues to work with UMA both as a teacher's assistant and on development of class materials. She also works on special University projects. She is currently enrolled in the Master's program in Instructional and Technology (ID&T) at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).
Melody Weeks - Director of Business Services Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC)
Melody Weeks is the Director of Business Services at EMDC in Bangor. Her primary role is management of a Department of Defense contract that involves working with Maine businesses that do local, state or federal government contracting. In this role, she is a Board member of the Department of Defense's Northeast Regional Council which is comprised of national defense contractors, government agency representatives and a variety of other non-profit representatives. She also has oversight of another program that provide business counseling services for woman-owned small businesses. Melody has a background in association management and marketing and serves on several non-profit boards. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with degrees in Political Science and Interpersonal Communications.
Barbara Bachman - Systems Analyst, Office of Information Technology
Barbara Bachman, an alumni of the UMA's Computer Information Systems bachelor's program and UMaine's Management Information Systems master's program, is currently employed as a Systems Analyst at the Office of Information Technology in Augusta. Having experienced the role of student and adjunct instructor in the CIS program, Barbara has a unique perspective that will further the mission of the Program Advisory Board.
Brian D. Huntley, P.E., PMP, CISA, CISSP, CBCP (TD Bank)
Brian Huntley has 27 years management and senior staff experience in information security and systems planning, engineering, control, and operations within the public utility and financial services sectors, as well as over 25 years' experience in public safety. Around his special interest in advancing and promoting application of information security risk analytics within operations management and business investment planning, he serves as Program Manager of the Maine GMD/EMP Risk Analysis Program sponsored by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and performs critical infrastructure security performance testing, risk analysis, and resiliency planning of the electric grid in Maine within his role as Lead Planning Engineer at Central Maine Power. Formerly, he served as Camden National Corporation's Information Security Officer, and led an identity access management program at TD Bank. Mr. Huntley holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from WPI, and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Maine. His professional credentials include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), and Project Management Professional (PMP).
The Board will have its semi-annual meeting on Tuesday, July 29, in Augusta. We look forward to suggestions and recommendations from our membership.
Two May 2014 graduates, Todd Parker (pictured at the left) and Kevin White (pictured at the right), were co-recipients of the Distinguished Computer Information Systems annual award. Each spring, students who are graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems are nominated for this recognition by faculty in the CIS program and recognized at the annual Honors Ceremony at the student's respective campus or center. Although academics is an important criteria in the selection, the student's university and community service is also considered.
