Office of Technology Administration Newsletter February 5, 2021

The Office of Technology Administration Xavier University of Louisiana Issue: 2 / Volume 1 / February 2021 TECHNOLOGY RESILIENCE IN CHALLENGING TIMES Improving Inside this issue * Vice President’s Message 2 Technology * VMware 2 Increasing * Mixed Mode Teaching 3 Services * Thermo Fisher 4 * New Technology Employees 5-6 * Technology promotions 6-7 * Student Workers 2021 8  Prior Student Workers 9-10 1

A Message from the Vice President of Technology, Dr. Mable Moore The technology staff in the office of technology services can be compared to the engine of a car; just as the engine of a car drives everything for the car, our esteemed technology staff and student workers drive everything on campus related to technology services. In this issue we focus on technology infrastructure updates, services provided by technology staff members to support Covid-19 lab services, and multi-media improvements in classrooms to support mixed-mode teaching. We also welcome two new employees, congratulate technology employees on their promotions and share information about class of 2021 technology student workers and congratulate a few former technology student workers. VMware Server Upgrades in Xavier’s Data Center Periodically Xavier’s Infrastructure and Data Center services must be upgraded to remain up-to-date and secure. Software updates must be made for Enterprise systems, i.e., Banner, Data Center Physical and Virtual servers and upgrades to the network. VMware develops virtualization software which creates an abstraction layer over computer hardware that allows the hardware elements of a single server — processors, memory, storage, and more — to be divided into multiple virtual servers, commonly called virtual machines (VMs). This update was performed over several weeks while incurring NO downtime to our end users. 2

Increased Mixed-Mode Teaching Technologies in Multi-Media Classrooms To mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19, the University currently has more options for teaching face-to-face and online learning. The University uses a mixed-mode learning model to allow online and face-to-face students to attend the same section of classes providing more options for students. The mixed- mode classroom technology allows Zoom videoconferencing and classroom technology to provide several options for faculty to use with their laptops. The ideal solution is to have a permanently wall-mounted High-Density camera and a wireless lavalier microphone in the classroom that is directly integrated into the existing classroom audio-visual technology. This upgraded multi-media system will send audio from the wireless microphone and video from the camera to the computer installed inside the podium used as the host for the Zoom session. This allows instructors maximum flexibility in terms of moving around the classroom as they teach addressing both online and face-to -face students. The OTA received Selley Foundation grant funds to upgrade five classrooms at Xavier to mixed-mode technology; NCF 102, 135, Xavier South 201, 202, and 225. The upgrade cost for each classroom is $6443 to be completed in about 4 weeks. The estimated total costs to upgrade all five class- rooms will be $32,215. 3

Thermo Fisher Scientific (https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/ connectedlab/the-just-project-facilitating-the-safe-reopening-of-hbcus/) Thermo Fisher Scientific, a world leader in Science, is working with Xavier and other HBCUs across the country to establish on-campus COVID-19 testing pro- grams. Thermo Fisher is providing the instruments, kits and testing infra- structure at no cost to the institutions. The program will help to ensure that students, faculty and staff at HBCUs can access COVID-19 testing so they can confidently and safely return to work and school and continue their important work and study during this pandemic. XULA is serving as a HUB school for COVID-19 testing for Xavier University and three (3) Louisiana HBCUs; Grambling State University, Dillard University, and Southern University at New Orleans. Xavier’s OTA ‘has provided automation for system and data loads, database administration, and system administration, and training on how to use these systems for all users including Xavier and the three HBCUs. Collaborative work between the College of Pharmacy, Human Resources, Student Health Services and the Office of Technology was completed over several months to establish processes and procedures to make COVID-19 testing a smooth process at Xavier. It is important to note that XULA OTA formulated a special project team that pioneered the first automated database procedure for file uploads of our Faculty/Staff/Students to the Thermo Fisher/Care-Evolve software platform; instead of the manual process used at other institutions XULA created its own automated process adopted at Xavier and other HUB HBCU schools. 4

New Technology Employees Kenneth Smith Director Network and Enterprise Systems Please welcome Mr. Kenneth Smith, the new Director of Network, Infrastructure, and Technical Support at Xavier University of Louisiana. Ken will provide leadership in the areas of Network, Data Center and Infrastructure and technical support at Xavier. Ken comes to Xavier with twenty-five years of experience in several areas of IT infrastructure and management. Those areas include help desk and technical support, systems administration, network administration, senior level engineering, and both Manager and Senior Manager positions. Ken has achieved certifications in systems engineering and is currently working on his CISM (Certification in Security Management.) He is also a certified Toastmaster, an FAA Certified Drone Pilot and a Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Ken holds a B.S. in Psychology from Southern University. Ken was born and raised in Alexandria, LA and an honors graduate of Peabody High School. He resided in Baton Rouge, LA for 30 plus years and has recently relocated to Mandeville, LA. He has one daughter, Jasmine, who is a graduate of Xavier. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? In the real universide, Aircraft Carrier Captain (with no admiral in sight) If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? A very large and very sharp knife. , Toilet Tissue, A solar powered two way radio What is the one food you cannot resist? A rare steak from Evangeline's Catherine Robinson Technical Support Specialist II Please welcome Ms. Catherine Robinson. She is a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana and comes to Xavier with an Associate and Bachelors degree in Computer Information Science. Catherine has ten years of work experience in Network and technology support. She has worked several years in New Orleans and surrounding areas in Helpdesk, Hardware Support, Network Infrastructure, Network Management, Computer Hardware, Computer Applications, Network Routing, and Computer Operating Systems. Catherine attended Xavier University of Louisiana. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? If I could do another job for one day it would be an activist. I'm a type of person that likes to fight for a person's rights (depending on if it's right). Giving the ability to help someone in need and stand up for what is right gives me a great sense of their hope for a person. If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? Definitely not a cell phone LOL I would bring a good book, bottles of wine and great food, and a Music player. Need the relaxation away from people for about a week! Can you make that happen? LOL (but really) What is the one food you cannot resist? Chicken and Steaks 5

Stephen Buckingham Banner Trainer/Analyst Please welcome Mr. Stephen Buckingham from Rochester, NY. He has lived there his entire life. He received his Bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher College and took several courses from the University of Rochester towards an MBA. He has worked for Rochester Products, a division of General Motors, for almost nine years, while attending college. Early in his career, Stephen held a number of sales jobs and started a Security Alarm business with a partner. In 1998, he accepted an opportunity with SCT and began his career in Higher Education. He completed SCT’s Banner Finance University, which was fondly known as “Bootcamp.” Since then he has been involved in over 45 successful Finance Implementations, most of which he was the primary lead. He was also one of SCT’s “go to” consultants for courses held at their company headquarters in Malvern, PA. Stephen states, “I’ve always enjoyed working in a challenging environment and it’s been my pleasure to help many clients successfully achieve their goals”. Stephen has been married to his lovely wife for 37 years and they have a son and a daughter. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? Actually, two jobs immediately come to mind, I would either work with big cats in Africa or I would be a Porsche Test Driver. If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? Water, sunscreen and a couple of dogs to keep me company! What is the one food you cannot resist? That’s easy, Bacon. Technology Promotions Melva Williams Assistant Vice President / Deputy CIO Melva has the general responsibility for developing infor- mation security policy and implementing information security strate- gy, academic technologies implementation and management, project management and software application training. Melva has been with the University for nearly 24 years and has served in a variety of leadership roles in the Office of Technology Administration, where as Project Manager of the implementation of our current ERP, Banner, she led the university from mainframe to client/server architecture at the height of the Y2K era. This was followed by several years as Software Systems Manager and later as Interim Vice President, Deputy CIO and Director for Inter- nal Operations. Melva is an honor graduate from Tulane University with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. 6

L’Tanya Settle-Charles Director of Applications Programming and Banner Projects Manager L’Tanya has worked in Higher Education with Banner Enterprise Systems for 23 years. During her tenure as a Senior Analyst, 10 years was as a functional user with Finance and Financial Aid Systems and 13 years as a senior analyst in the office of technology administration. Prior to joining Xavier in October of 2000, L’Tanya’s Higher Education career began at Clark Atlanta University where she worked in the Financial Aid Office for 3 years. While at Clark Atlanta University, L’Tanya was instrumental in migrating the Financial Aid Office from Power-Aids to Banner. Prior to joining Xavier’s Information Technology Department, L’Tanya worked as the Senior Technical Liaison in the Office of Financial Aid from 2000 - 2007. L’Tanya spends her weekends attending her son and daughter’s baseball, football and soccer games and events. She is an active member of the parent groups for each team. L’Tanya received a Master of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from Dillard University. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? A fashion designer If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? My Bible, Water and Tennis shoes What is the one food you cannot resist? lobster Deepak Mirdwal Senior System Analyst Deepak joined Xavier University of Louisiana in 2019 as a Senior Applications Programmer. In his 2 year tenure at Xavier, he has worked on various cutting edge technolo- gy projects. Deepak began his career at Xavier with over 5 years of experience as an applica- tion developer with the ability to influence university growth strategies through fact-based, data-driven insights and analysis. Deepak has a bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Rajiv Gandhi Technical University in India. Mr. Mirdwal moved to the United States in 2014 while earning his Master of Science degree in Manage- ment Information Systems from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He has worked as a developer for Houston Direct Auto and Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation. Rapid and sustainable user growth is Deepak’s true passion and can be seen in his career path. Deepak seeks to improve quality and work efficiency by introducing the newest technologies and management principles. Prior to Xavier University, he was the application analyst at Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation for 1 year and while working there he assisted in administering, tuning and troubleshooting IFS 2003 ERP ap- plication and Oracle 11g database for 1 year and before that he was the system analyst at Houston Direct Auto for 2 years where he helped them to increase revenue by 70% through implementation of Sage-Intacct accounting module. Deepak spends his weekend playing cricket for the New Orleans Cricket Club. Apart from playing cricket, Deepak loves to cook. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? A tourist guide for all of Spain- I would be paid to travel! If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? Water to drink, a satellite phone, and a Knife. What is the one food you cannot resist? PIZZA 7

TECHNOLOGY STUDENT WORKERS CLASS OF 2021 Brooke D. Jones Major: Biology Pre-Med Minor: Chemistry Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Post Grad Plans: University of Rochester School of Medicine Clubs / Educational Affiliates: Student Government Association as Senior Class President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NAACP member, Mobilization at Xavier Outreach Day Project Coordinator, CSI Volunteer Site Leader, NSLS Member, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Professional Honor Society, UNCF FUND II STEM Scholar Jeremy Bartholomew Ordogne Major: Sales and Marketing Minor: Business Administration Home Town: New Orleans, Louisiana Post Grad Plans: Attending 3M’s Frontline Summer Internship for sales representatives Clubs / Educational Affiliates: American Marketing Association , The National Society of Leadership and Success Majesty A. Mason Major- Biology Pre-Med Minor- Chemistry Home Town: Memphis, Tennessee Post Grad Plans: Work in a healthcare facility to gain experience and attend Xavier’s Physician Assistant School. Educational Affiliates: ACS Chemistry Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Minority Association of Pre-Health Students, NAACP, National Pan-Hellenic Council, National Society of Leadership and Success. 8

PRIOR TECHNOLOGY STUDENT WORKERS WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Dr. Joshua (Bear) Coney XULA Class of 2008 Major: Premed Minor: Chemistry Hometown: Houston, Texas I had a wonderful time at Xavier while I was there. In addition to the beautiful structures on the campus, I spent most of my time it in the computer lab tutoring or studying on the yard. Unfortunately, I was significantly affected by hurricane Katrina. Initially I was displaced to Houston and enrolled in the University of Houston to complete my fall semester of my sophomore year. I arrived back to New Orleans to find my apartment complex completely demolished. I attempted to apply for a dorm to stay in but the dorms were full. Ultimately, I had to live in my car for a few months while going to school to get my bachelors degree. Dr. Norman C. Francis was the university president at the time. I was recommended to speak to him personally and tell him my predicament. After a meeting, he and the Board of Directors assisted me in obtaining a full scholarship and living quarters on the campus. I'll never forget this because it changed my life. I was able to graduate Summa cum Laude from Xavier in four years, despite setbacks from the hurricane and from being homeless. After I graduated, I applied for a research assistant position at the University of Texas, which became a stepping stone for my entrance into the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. I decided to become a cardiologist and sub- specialized in heart transplantation. I am now one of 10 black physicians who have matriculated through an ACGME accredited Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation fellowship in the United States. I am double board-certified in the fields of internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. Jazzmin Kilgore XULA Class of 2012 Major: Political Science Minor: English Hometown: Decatur, GA My initial plan upon graduating from Xavier was to attend graduate school. Plans don’t always go accordingly and a new route and opportunity came my way — which I’m most grateful for. Since graduating, I’ve progressed immensely professionally in the world of Human Resources. Currently, I serve in the role of HR Business Partner for a specialty retail organization based in Atlanta, GA. My role is fulfilling and has allowed me to use the knowledge I gained at Xavier in my every day interactions. While my desire to attend graduate school immediately after graduation was delayed, I do still plan to complete a professional graduate program, just with a slightly different focus. The Honey Baked Ham Company: We’re excited to announce Jazzmin Kilgore has been promoted to HR Business Partner. In her new role, Jazzmin is the primary HR partner for the Regional Directors and the other multi-unit leaders and will partner across HR functions as needed to provide support to the field team. She will also help implement and monitor people initiatives in the field, and will be analyzing people and business data to identify trends across the organization, highlighting areas of opportunity and recognition. 9

Dr. David Collins OTA Work Area: Open Labs XULA Class of 2012 Major: Pharmacy Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana Dr. David Collins is a clinical pharmacy specialist and currently serves as the Director of Pharmacy Operations for Ochsner LSU’s Louisiana Behavioral Health Hospital. He is a proud 2012 graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and has practiced in a myriad of pharmacy settings since graduation. His experiences include acute care, clinical pharmacy academia, pharmacy informatics, medica- tion safety, corporate policy development, and regulatory compli- ance. Alongside his colleagues, Dr. Collins drives clinical care initiatives that promote positive outcomes and cost effective care for patients who receive care at his facility. He is grateful to the Department of Information Technology at Xavier University for granting him the ability to serve as a work study student. Though his academic focus was pharmacy, his new role incorporates heavy electronic health record usage, pharmacy automation, software build, and continual electronic process improvement. The time spent under the Office of Technology Administration’s leadership cultivated a love of technology! Thank you XU ! 10

Support the next generation of eXcellence Click Here XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA About Xavier University of Louisiana Xavier University of Louisiana, founded in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is the only Catholic and historically Black higher education institution in North America. The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. Xavier ranks first nationally in the number of African-American undergraduates continuing to complete medical school and is leading the nation in bachelor’s degrees granted to African Americans in the bio- logical and biomedical sciences, the physical sciences, and physics, and in graduation of African- Americans who go on to earn doctorates in the sciences and engineering. OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION [ITC] Xavier University of Louisiana 1 Drexel Drive New Orleans, Louisiana 70125 11