Jobs Landed

I provide vision and direction for the use of technology to further the educational and strategic goals of Davenport University, a private university based in Grand Rapids with 14 campuses across Michigan.  My primary objectives are to hire world class IT professionals, align technology solutions with university strategy, measure the success of technology in helping the university achieve its goals, design and adjust technology standards for the university, and to manage the cost of our substantial investment in technology resources.  In short, the CIO role is a blend of technology evangelist, people manager and business strategist.  
 
As a relatively young CIO, my focus lies in the use of the web, social media and cloud computing to help Davenport continue to recruit quality students, reduce the cost of IT solutions, and ensure that we stay ahead of the curve in terms of the technology we provide students.  Social media provides us a means for communicating with students (and prospective students) in a more personalized manner than we get with traditional advertising.  Similarly, cloud computing removes some of the barriers to adoption for new technology (in terms of cost and infrastructure and spin-up time) that existed a few short years ago.

 

I am responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing the conference and guest housing programs for the Office of Housing and Residence Life. The position serves as a liaison to business services, operations, facilities, and residence life functions. The position is also responsible for selection, training, and supervision of conference staff.

 

I manage the Community Service Learning Center, connect students with volunteer opportunities in the greater Grand Rapids community, and coordinate campus-wide days of service.  I also supervise the Michigan Service Scholars AmeriCorps program as well as am a campus representative for Michigan Campus Compact.  I also am responsible for outreach to community organizations to develop partnerships with the university.

 

I help GVSU faculty and staff find funding opportunities for research and community partnerships by monitoring and searching government grant programs and private sources.

 

As a Client Services Coordinator at Grand Valley State University’s conference center, the Eberhard Center, I am responsible for arranging and overseeing events for businesses, non-profits, and government agencies in the local Grand Rapids area that take place in our building.  Meetings can range anywhere from 10 people to 500 and cover a wide spectrum of topics, goals, and objectives.  My job also entails the initial pitching and selling of Eberhard Center’s meeting space through personal tours, phone inquiries, and responding to RFP’s.  Additionally, I coordinate several wedding receptions a year, orchestrating arrangements with catering, florists, photographers, linen companies, and local hotels.