Professional Development and Presentations/Speeches

This session will help you get the most out of your attendance at the Security Professionals Conference. Beyond a conference overview, we will address how to make smart choices about which sessions to attend, network with colleagues in similar situations, be intentional about taking home what you learned, and become more professionally involved in the activities of the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Security Task Force.

This panel discussion, led by your fellow academies, will address the successes, challenges, and innovative solutions offered by the SANS Partnership Series program. SANS, a leader in information security training and certification, offers a unique program to the higher education community that has trained over 3,500 university faculty and staff while saving schools over $850,000 in tuition alone. Learn how this program can benefit your school from security, cost, and productivity perspectives. Ask questions of your peers from Virginia Tech, Purdue, Georgia, Nebraska, Indiana, and MOREnet. SANS Partnership Program details can be found at www.sans.org/partnership.

Skidmore's CTO wanted to create a professional development experience for the IT organization that focused on "organizational effectiveness." In response, we created a simulation of an external IT review and asked IT staff to take a hard look at the issues facing the IT organization at the fictitious Highhopes College.

Newly formed in 2007, this group focuses on all issues concerning recruiting, training, and managing staff, including finding creative PD opportunities, developing career paths, and building strong teams. Managers and aspiring managers at all levels are welcome.

This session will describe a leadership development process for IT professionals that includes a leadership framework (using leadership research instruments, examining individual strengths, promoting team participation); managing resources (program planning, organizing and budgeting, conflict resolution and negotiation); and improving performance of IT units (valuing diversity, futuring, trend analysis, scenario development and visioning, and entrepreneurship).

In November of 2006, Brian Hawkins announced his plans to retire from the presidency of EDUCAUSE at the end of the 2007•2008 academic year. For this session, he was asked to share the important lessons he has learned in his nearly 40-year career in higher education regarding management, leadership, and professional life. He will discuss issues including personnel management, professional development, and how to map a course for good leadership and a successful career.

Are you "growing your own" digital library team? Wondering how best to provide them with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives they need to plan and carry out their projects? Come hear how several library directors are addressing this challenge at their libraries.

What can you do, right now, to help you move forward in your career? What strategies can you employ that will help you prepare to take on greater responsibilities on your campus? This session is designed for those who are on a path toward assuming additional responsibilities in the IT profession. Come to this session prepared to discuss and share your own career development ideas.