Computing Sciences and Information Technology Department May 2019 Update
Computing Sciences and Information Technology Division – CSIT
CSIS – Computer Information Systems
Department Chairs Mark VanGorp and Perla Weaver attended the K-State transfer conference on February 22nd and met with the department head of K-State’s Computer Science department to discuss new articulation agreement opportunities. They have also met with Wichita State and University of Missouri –Kansas City, to review course agreements and discuss potential new articulation to strengthen the transfer paths for Computer Science students.
The CS department hosted a 2-day workshop on Improving Diversity in Computer Science on March 8th and 9th. The workshop was part of the NCWIT Academic Alliance Seed Fund Grant awarded to Professor Perla Weaver in 2018. The workshop was led by Lighthouse for Computing, an NSF funded, highly recognized, research-based group from the University of Virginia that focuses on broadening the participation of Computer Science through professional development. Attendees included Full-time, Adjunct, and College Now faculty, as well as staff from the recruitment office. The Education and Computing research group guided the attendees through proven, engaging, and researched-based practices for improving diversity and recruitment practices in Computer Science Education.
Perla Weaver participated as a judge for the PLTW senior showcase at Union Station on April 9th. The event showcases engineering and biotech projects from students who took one of the PLTW KC metro capstone courses. Prof. Weaver also volunteered as a project portfolio reviewer for the PLTW capstone projects. Through this process projects are evaluated and compete regionally and nationally with other PLTW student projects.
Perla Weaver collaborated with KCUR reporter Celia Llopis-Jepsen on two special reports focused on the outlook and challenges of the Computer Science workforce and Computer Science education in the state of Kansas. The first report aired on March 11, and the second one on May 28th.
Perla Weaver attended the PLTW Achievement Level Descriptors Panel meeting on May 6th and 7th at the PLTW head office in Indianapolis. As a Higher Ed representative, she is contributing to the development of their national End-of-Course Assessments.
On May 9th, Perla Weaver hosted a virtual session for Olathe North students exploring careers in computing. During this session, Prof. Weaver shared relevant local and national data on the computing industry as well as opportunities and pathways for programs of study at JCCC. These sessions support the career exploration activities for students enrolled in introductory programming courses at Olathe North.
On May 20th, Professor Suzanne Smith’s students in the software capstone course, CIS 264 – Application Development and Programming, presented their final projects to an audience of JCCC faculty and staff, Trustees, members of the CSIS Advisory Board, friends and family. This year students worked on three projects: a patient intake system for the KU Medical Center Infectious Disease Center, a system to keep track of current and past capstone projects for the course, and a library checkout system for “STEM education kits” for educators. The goal of this course is to help students prepare for the demands of the workforce by providing them the opportunity to develop a significant software project, communicating, planning and implementing as a team.
Suzanne Smith attended the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT) conference hosted by Honolulu Community College from May 22nd – 24th. PCATT brings together K-12 and community college/college educators focused on technology issues. This year’s theme was Data Science. As part of the Creating Pathways Grant, Prof. Smith was able present at pre-conference and workshop sessions during this conference.
CSS – Computer Support Specialist
Lisa Friedrichsen and Carol Smith attended the Cengage Computing Experience conference in April. The conference was held at the Microsoft compound in Redmond, WA. Keynote presentations and breakout sessions focused on Microsoft Office 2019/365 as well as Microsoft’s strategy in the area of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality.
Game
A Game Development capstone team received an offer to lease their game if they would complete it. The game will be free roaming VR and in the horror genre.
MIRM – Medical Information and Revenue Management
MIRM students have completed Spring 2019 internships with a variety of employers – College Boulevard Vision Care, Lakeview Village, Olathe Health Systems. Not only were they able to gain valuable experience in medical coding, they were able to see the ins/outs of the Health Information Management, Revenue Cycle Management, and Information Technologies departments in a variety of healthcare settings!
MIRM graduated six students with the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate, Fall 2018 – Spring 2019. These students include: Kathleen Baska, Dilfuza Matyakubova, Mylan Wiseman, Rebecca Bruce, Amy Crowther, and Angela Bambi Pinon.
Fall 2018 Medical Coding Specialist Certificate graduates achieved a 100% passing-rate on national certification exam tests! These tests include the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), offered by AHIMA, and the Certified Coding Professional (CPC), offered by AAPC. Congratulations!!
IT-Networking
The NSA and DHS have designated Johnson County Community College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through academic year 2024. The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and expertise in cyber defense (CD). The designation was attained by the Information Technology- Networking department.
WEB – Web Development and Digital Media
The Arts Council of Johnson County, in partnership with Johnson County Community College, University of Kansas, and municipal and county public art collections, is launching a digital catalog of public art in Johnson County. The mission of this new project is to create a centralized, easy-to-use collection of digital resources to give Johnson County residents and visitors alike a way to locate, view, research, and reflect upon the many pieces of public art throughout our county. The Arts Council envisions that residents and visitors, as well as educators, students, and artists, will visit and appreciate our county’s vast public artwork collection while learning more about our county’s people, culture, and landmarks. As a central resource, the Public Art Digital Catalog presents an opportunity to tell Johnson County’s story through art and raise our community’s collective profile through promotion, best practices, and educational opportunities.
Olive’s Hope (https://oliveshope.org/) -Redesigned, updated, and modernized the website for Olive’s Hope. Olive’s Hope is a volunteer-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on your generosity to keep our No Kill shelter running. Without the support of our gracious community we would not be able to help every cat and dog that we do. With your assistance we’ve been able to help thousands of pets find new, loving homes. Your tax-deductible donation will help us care for the animals that rely on us until they find their forever homes. Resource website for those who have a conviction and are attempting to build a better life. Stairwell.org
CCC Design Studio -Student Agency’s goal is to help grow businesses and non-profits while we build our portfolios and skills. We are learning to be networkers, visionaries and to understand what it takes to be a professional. We create unique, beautiful, and affordable web designs. We put you and your business at the heart of everything we do. At JCCC Design Studio we don’t do cookie-cutter services. We customize online strategies for our unique clients. JCCC Design Studio is a program for highly motivated, technical and artistic students to connect with and create work for businesses.
