People going places
The Business School
An A+ for computer lab assistants: CompTIA A+ certification is tough, elusive and a huge commitment that Tom Kerlee, lab manager for the Business School in the King Center, knew was imperative for his student hourlies to undertake to succeed. The international, vendor-neutral certification is recognized by hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. For employers, the certification validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level computer service technicians.
Kerlee encouraged Bill Gernert, lab advisor and an ISMG major, and Taylor Smallwood, lab coordinator and business management major, to undertake the five-month process and rigid testing to attain certification. The two studied hard and tested well, securing their A+ status.
“The A+ certification is an IT industry standard certification,” Kerlee explains. Employers look at resumes that are scanned electronically and if the scanner sees an A+ on any industry standard certification, it helps applicants get through one more level, he explains.
Kerlee admits, however, that “Having them better understand this technology also helps me to manage the lab.” Should Kerlee need to step out, take a day off or even call in sick, Gernert and Smallwood are fully equipped to deal with any tech issues that arise. “It allows them to respond more proactively, there’s no more ‘We’ll have to ask Tom.’”
Having earned the CompTIA A+, Kerlee’s crew is taking on the next challenge. Gernert and Smallwood are now continuing with certification, this time in Microsoft Certified Professional and are scheduled to take a test on Windows XP in next few months.
School of Education & Human Development
Wanda Blanchett will join the SEHD faculty as the associate dean of teacher education and Outreach as of Oct. 1. Blanchett is currently the associate dean in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Her academic and research area is special education and she also knows the field of teacher education well. She is President of the National Association of Holmes Scholars Alumni and the President of the AERA SIG/Research Focus on Black Education.
Kenny Wolf will expand his role as faculty fellow for outcomes assessment in the upcoming year. He will be in that role 80 percent time, expanding his responsibilities to include working with Schools at the Health Sciences Center campuses. His office will be in the Faculty Development suite in the Lawrence Street Center.