Onboarding to Belonging: Making IT Feel Like Home

Hello all,

This weekend is SUNY Plattsburgh's Homecoming (and it's my 40th year after graduating with an environmental science degree in 1984!), so I'm anticipating a lot of fun activities.

It also started me thinking about what it means to feel at home - in a family, at a college, in a job, in a career, and in a community. So many aspects of our environments play a role in whether or not we feel at home that I can't possibly list them all. Sometimes it's an emotional response to a group or place that we can't even properly articulate - we just know how we feel.

And, we know the opposite as well. We know it when we do not feel at home, welcomed, or included. For many women, IT careers still don't feel like home.

How can we do better at making a more diverse set of people feel at home in technology-related jobs here in SUNY? How do we send explicit and implicit messaging that they belong, that we are welcoming, we are supportive, and they can thrive here with us? This short video 3 Ways to Create a Powerful Day One Experience When Onboarding New Employees has a few tips to do this right from the start.

I'll give you a really brief summary, but I hope you watch the video!

• Reduce Uncertainty: prepare ahead and let a new hire know what to expect and who they will meet with.
• Individualize: message the org about this new person, and remind them about why they were hired and why they are important to your org.
• Let new employees Upload information: that means contributing right away, sharing their knowledge right away, and not only downloading new information like policies.

I also recently learned about a new strategy rolling out in the UK with the intention of increasing diversity in IT:

"As the number of vacancies in the UK tech sector approaches 900,000, BCS announces its place in a new strategic partnership designed to help people from diverse and marginalised communities launch tech careers. The innovative scheme, along with its clear focus on enabling social mobility, also aims to help prominent employers fill their IT vacancies."

The program was covered in a new blog A new way to launch tech careers.

If you know of a program here in the US to encourage more people to look to information technology careers, email the list! I'd love to hear about those programs.

All the best,
Holly

WIT Community Guest Post - Maria Garrity

Hello all,

This week we have a WIT Community Guest Post from Maria Garrity at Buffalo State. Maria agreed to describe a part of her recent work that drew upon a variety of her skills. As you read this, think about how you are building skills that will position you for your next projects. I know that several SUNY's are rolling out their managed print initiatives, so you will no doubt relate to the impact a large project of this type has on the learning/teaching/work environment of your campus. And as an extra- you'll see in the links how the campus used announcements and updates to communicate with their stakeholders...nice!

All the best,

Holly

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The Managed Print Services Cost-Saving Initiative at Buffalo State

Today, I would like to share some exciting news about a project being implemented at Buffalo State: The Managed Print Services Cost-Saving Initiative.

This initiative aims to enhance processes and strengthen the security of our networked printers across campus. By standardizing, consolidating, and optimizing the number and types of devices used for printing, faxing and copying, we hope to reduce operating and maintenance costs campus-wide and inspire a cultural shift toward more efficient and secure use of all output devices. I had the privilege of assisting during the inventory phase and we are now entering the design phase of the project.

How I Contributed as Part of the Team

I was selected by the interim CIO of Buffalo State to participate in the inventory phase of the managed print services project. From the outset, I utilized both technical and soft skills to contribute to the project's success. Preparation was key: having inventory lists, maintaining close communication with team members (including sharing cell numbers), and obtaining all office keys ahead of time were crucial.

Technical Skills

My role during the inventory phase involved chaperoning the vendors in conducting a comprehensive search across the campus to identify and catalog all devices related to copying, faxing, and printing. This task required meticulous attention to detail and proficiency with inventory tools and systems. As a result of our collective efforts, we successfully identified over 600 devices across various buildings.

Soft Skills

The project required visiting each department to introduce the Toshiba vendors and facilitate their integration into our processes. Drawing on my SUNY SAIL Leadership training and my Resilient Leadership Award, I managed the challenges of coordinating with different departments and resolving issues as they arose. My skills in communication, relationship-building, and adaptability were instrumental in overcoming obstacles and ensuring smooth operations throughout the inventory phase.

Team Results

By working collaboratively, we completed the inventory and uploaded configurations for all printers, copiers, and faxes within just three days. Our initial meeting with the vendors was highly productive, thanks to their thorough preparation. They referenced an Excel spreadsheet, and we provided campus maps detailing all buildings with devices, which significantly streamlined our process and enhanced our efficiency.

Overall, the combination of effective technical execution and strong interpersonal skills enabled us to complete the inventory part of the project efficiently and successfully. For more updated information about the managed print services project, please find additional project details here.

Thank you.

Maria C. Garrity

Senior Programmer/Analyst

Unity in Diversity: A Patriot Day Reflection

Hello all,

Today, September 11, 2024 is Patriot Day. We pause again to collectively remember the terrible events of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in our country.

From the White House 2024: "Over the last 23 years, what was destroyed, we have repaired. What was threatened, we have fortified. What was attacked — the indomitable American spirit — prevailed. That is who we are. That is the soul of our Nation. There is nothing we cannot accomplish when we defend with all our hearts that which makes us unique in the world: our democracy. That is what the heroes and patriots of 9/11 did. And that is what we must all continue to do today. To observe this day with service, find opportunities to volunteer in your community at americorps.gov/911-day.

Last year, our SUNY Chancellor and BOT published these remarks, "

"Twenty-two years ago, what started as a normal Tuesday morning turned into one of the darkest days in our country's history. Amid the terror and chaos came immense bravery displayed by first responders and everyday citizens who made their way to the sites attacked in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville. People rose to the occasion and risked their lives to save complete strangers in a moment of hope that lives could be saved amid the destruction. That selfless and dedicated spirit of those days and weeks following the attacks continues to inspire us. Each year on this date we reflect on where we were that day and remember those we lost—from our family and friends, and our vast SUNY family. Twenty-two years later, the memories and emotions remain heartbreaking and unifying. We will never forget."

This year, at the same time that we honor the lives lost that day and the heroism of those who responded to the attacks, I want us to also remember the challenges, losses, and heroism of those who responded to the aftermath of the fears and divisions that arose as well. Some grieving and angry Americans took out their grief and anger against former neighbors or random strangers who looked or worshiped differently. Every act of that nature is against our American values. Each time we are challenged by fear (of real dangers, of difference, of unknown and projected anticipated harms, of "the other") we rise to our best when we look those fears in the eyes and respond with curiosity and compassion first. Not easy...but necessary.

SUNY WIT is focused on increasing diversity and inclusion within our technology spaces. Extending this focus to some other aspects of our communities can be a wonderful way to commemorate Patriot Day 2024.

All the best,

Holly

Vendor Management: Tips, Tools, and Resources

Hello all,

This week we are taking a look at vendor management, prompted by a terrific presentation offered by Emily Perry of the University of Arizona for the EDUCAUSE WIT August monthly webinar. The diagram below is one she displayed and she referenced the work of an internet2 committee as a great resource.

For SUNY libraries, vendor management is usually a part of someone's larger job, and something we learn about on the fly. That means, most of us can use all the help we can get to keep learning more.

For IT areas, there can be staff with more formal practice training to assign, but not always. Balancing Budgets (managing costs and vendor management) is #9 on the EDUCAUSE top 10 for 2024 which is clear recognition that this area demands attention. And then, SUNY procurement policies and guidelines are complex to say the least!