The Center for Strategic Information Technology and Security A Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Center of Excellence

Student Membership

Although the Student Membership program is still in the design and development phase, the program intends to deliver several key benefits for students including:

• Job and internship postings from the Center’s Enterprise Partners;
• Career resources specific to the IT industry;
• A personal career interest assessment tailored to IT-related jobs;
• Online and in-person opportunities to network with other students, faculty and employer representatives;
• Workshops and symposiums designed to enhance career development;
• Opportunities to join faculty led research and project teams in a business setting;
• Opportunities to influence program development and refinement through online surveys and focus group participation

 

More about the Center’s strategy to enhance student career opportunity

The Center will help integrate and extend current expertise and programs in network technology, network security, information assurance, management information systems, computer forensics, application development and computer science.  Students who are preparing for a career or upgrading their professional skills in related occupations will see three primary benefits as the Center’s strategies are implemented. 

First, students will have improved access to related programs, courses and resources at all three institutions through anticipated initiatives like concurrent enrollment and registration rights, improvements in program articulation agreements, increased online course availability, remote access to networking and security lab environments, and seamless transcript exchange. 

Second, students will have more opportunities to gain work experience and establish relationships with employers through a variety of applied learning opportunities like internships, research and problem-solving projects, participation in an annual conference, and other special events.  In addition, the Center intends to explore ways to help facilitate employer access for hiring purposes. 

Finally, students will see new academic programs and courses in the fast-growing fields of convergence technology (data, voice and video over an integrated network), I.T. security and application development.  Current plans include a new two-year degree in convergence technology that will transfer seamlessly to a bachelor’s degree in convergence technology management.  Other new courses and credentials will be planned in cooperation with the Center’s industry-based Board of Advisors.

Students enrolled in MIS, Computer Science, Security, Networking, and other related IT programs at Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and Inver Hills Community College are encouraged to become members of the Center. Take advantage of the Center benefits as they become available by signing up right now at

 

 

 

 

Academic Partners
Metropolitan State University
Inver Hills Community College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Center Board of Advisors
Adam McConnell
Program Manager
Navitaire

Kyle Nelson
Director, Sponsored Research
Adventium Labs

Brian Vik
Manager, Network Planning and Architecture
US Bank

Catherine Settani
Executive Director
Community Technology Empowerment Project

Dale Henninger
Senior Consultant
General Mills, Inc

Erik Westgard
Principal Consultant, Enterprise Architecture
AT&T Signature Client Group

John Lallly
Director of Strategic Planning
Office of Enterprise Technology
State of Minnesota

Kevin Wetzel
Principal
3 Key Logic

Mike McKuras
Vice President, Technology Infrastructure Services
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Peter Hiestand
Senior Network Engineer
Cisco Systems, Inc.

Steve Lambrose
President
Coeus Consulting Group

Susan Widdel
Vice President
Supply Chain and Property Services
Xcel Energy

Tom Seiberlich
Regional Manager
Cisco Systems, Inc

Vee Narayan
Sales/Marketing Executive,
HeatSeeker Technology Partners, Inc