The 2011 highlights
Students and faculty came together at St. Cajetan’s on the Auraria Campus on Tuesday, October 11, for the 6th
Annual “Become a Business Leader with an Edge” CIO panel discussion.
Attendees were welcomed by Dean Ambron, who set the tone for the
evening, highlighting that students with IT skills and education “are in
great demand.”
The general message from all of the speakers and panel
members was simple – that the future of Information Technology is
bright. Today, there are more IT jobs available than there are qualified
candidates. It is important for students to have the right skills, and
also be able to implement those skills within teams. With the massive
environment of offshoring, it is now more important than ever for
students with technology skills to stay competitive through these “soft”
skills. It is also more important than ever for our country to invest
in students and engage them in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM), beginning in elementary school. It is critical to create a
fire in students to change imbedded perceptions that these are not nerdy
but rather can be sexy.
The panel included executives from a variety of industries.
Panelists:
- Susan Bailey – Graduate Career Connections, Moderator
- David Bessen – Media Consultant
- Ron Huston – Retired State Government
- Kristi Martin – Grant Thornton
- Randy Weldon – Johns Manville
- Randy Guthrie – Microsoft
- Charles Corfield - President and CEO of nvoq
Prior to the panel discussion, Guthrie provided an
overview of the current state of Information Technology, and highlighted
some specific areas of growth within Microsoft. He focused on
discussing the importance of careers that are flexible and provide
opportunities for self-growth. He also highlighted the long-term value
of education, stating that “programs like CU Denver’s provide education
and prepare the type of people that (Microsoft) hires.” He also added
that in spite of job market, there are incredible opportunities in IT.
He reinforced that this is a fun place to be – things are always
changing, and technology improves people’s lives. Students going into IT
will be making a difference, regardless of what industry they pursue.
The panel discussion provided attendees with the
opportunity to ask questions about the future of IT, and learn more
about prospects for graduates who are interested in finding
opportunities in a diverse range of industries.
2010 "Edge" Event Highlights
This year's fifth-annual "Become a Business Leader with an Edge" event on October 25 broke all previous attendance records, topping out at 303 students. Representing diverse interests and backgrounds, the students arrived at St. Cajetan's on the Auraria Campus with a single purpose--to hear from area executives about the emerging possibilities in business and information technology (IT). The panel featured CITI and IT executives from top private and public organizations in the Denver region:
- Gail Coury: Vice President, Risk Management, Global IT, Oracle
- James Gaulke: PDC Energy
- Ron Huston: State Government
- Audrey Kiszla: Vice President of Project Delivery, Oppenheimer
- Ken Migaki: CIO, Group Voyager Inc.
- Molly Rauzi: City and County of Denver
- Scott Threlkeld: Information Systems Manager, Delta Dental of Colorado
Throughout the evening, the distinguished panel addressed questions submitted in advance by students and moderated by Larry Nelson, co-founder of w3w3® Media Networks. Discussions ranged across a spectrum of IT developments, including the "flattening" of world markets, the role of cloud computing and the tightening of security provisions.
2009 highlights
"Become a Business Leader With an Edge"
In October 2009,
the Center for Information Technology Innovation (CITI) and UC Denver
Business School's Information Systems Association (ISA) hosted the
fourth-annual CIO executive panel event, "Become a Business Leader With
an Edge." The annual event provides an opportunity for students to learn
about what executives are looking for and what they see as the future
of business and information technology. This year's CIO Panel had the
largest attendance so far, attracting 215 attendees.
David Guild, CITI
Executive Director, opened the event by sharing information about the
Business School's upcoming move to their new location at 1475 Lawrence
Street. Guild then introduced the following panel members:
- Kevin Capp, chief technology officer for the City of Castle Rock
- Randy Guthrie, academic developer evangelist from Microsoft
- Ron Huston, chief enterprise architect from the State of Colorado
- David Laube, executive in residence for the Business School at UC Denver
- Mary Anne Leach, vice president and CIO of the Children's Hospital
- Matthew Taylor, vice president of managed services and IT/IS Operations
Randy Guthrie
presented "IT Myth Busters." His presentation covered important
technology trends and clarified misconceptions about the IT industry and
job market. Dave Laube spoke about CITI and community involvements in
the recent curriculum changes for undergraduate and graduate Information
Systems Programs at the Business School.
Each panel member
spoke about the importance of IT in their respective industries. The
panelists agreed that by second quarter 2010, the IT job market will be
booming due to three primary factors: the strengthening of the economy
following recession, retiring of previous generations of IT workers, and
new and growing applications of IT in areas such as health care and
state government.
The student
response to the event was very positive. They asked questions of the
panelists about how to be successful in a job search and how to break
into the industry with no IT experience. Many students felt they gained
valuable insight and learned about the industry from a very personal
perspective. Juan Sanchez, a student mentor from the Denver Transfer
Initiative, said, "This was one of the best events I've ever been to on
campus. I was very impressed." Overall, students found the discussion
very informative and are looking forward to more ISA events and another
successful panel event next year.
by Susan Torres
2008 Highlights
Top-level executives speak to students about their experience and what they need to compete
For a third
consecutive year, the Center for Information Technology Innovation
(CITI) and UC Denver’s Information Systems Association presented Become a Leader with an Edge.
This year’s event had nearly 200 students and faculty attend the event,
unlike like year’s event which competed with the Rockies’ World Series
game for attendance.
Featured was a
panel of top-level executives from CITI companies to talk to and answer
questions from students. The CIOs stressed the importance of in-depth
knowledge of Information Systems as a prerequisite for getting an edge
in the business world.
Randy Guthrie of
Microsoft presented a “Myth Buster” presentation busting many myths
about IT jobs. Nicolas Saben, a UC Denver student also working in a
Information System job, stressed how important it is to know as much as
possible about Information Systems and how rewarding his career is.
CITI members who
participated on the panel included: Kim Heldman - Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT), Mary Anne Leach - Children Hospital, John
Shellenberger - Johns Manville, Matthew Taylor - Via West, and Leroy
Williams - Ball Corporation, who acted as facilitator.
Students asked many
questions, learning about how Information Systems impacts every aspect
of business and the importance of understanding computer technology no
matter what field they specialize in.
Response to the
event was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Students felt the panel was very
informative, and they were happy to have such insight and perspective
available to them. Many noted that their interest in adding an
information systems component to their experience increased as a result
of this seminar. Many have also joined the Information Systems
Association to see firsthand how businesses use Information Systems.
The
Business School offers many combined tracks for students who see the
benefit of having information systems integrated with their other
skills. At the undergraduate and graduate level students are able to
combine combine Information Systems with Marketing, Management, Finance
and Accounting in either their track (undergraduate) or their MBA or MS
degrees.
by Nick Sabin
2007 Event Highlights
For
the second consecutive year, CITI in conjunction with UC Denver's
Information Systems Association presented Become a Business Leader with
the Edge. Though the Rockies were having their first home game in the
World Series, it was extremely well attended by students.
Featured
was a panel of top level executives from CITI companies to talk to and
answer questions from students. The CIOs and other executives stressed
the importance of in depth knowledge of Information Systems as a
prerequisite for getting an edge in the business world.
Students
had their questions answered at the event and some uploaded those
questions to YouTube and were shown on the big screen during the
question and answer period. Students learned more about how Information
Systems impacts every aspect of business and should understand computer
technology no matter what field specialize in.
CITI members who participated included:
- Ball Corporation
- City of Denver
- DCP Midstream
- Denver Health
- Fiserv Investment Support Services
- Gates Corporation
- Great West Life
- Hunter Douglas
- Information Handling Services
- Manville
- Molson Coo
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- Pr
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- Coopers
- State of Colorado, Dept. of Human Serv
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- Via
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The
response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Students felt the panel was
very informative and they were happy to have such insight and
perspective available to them. Many since have noted their interest in
adding a information systems component to their experience.
The
Business School offers many combined tracks for students who see the
benefit of having information systems integrated with their other
skills. At the undergraduate and graduate level student are able to
combine combine Information Systems with Marketing, Management, Finance
and Accounting in either their track (undergraduate) or their MBA or MS
degrees.