Speaker: Barry Grant

Currently Director of Information Technology at Manchester Community College in Connecticut driving change in the culture and architecture of the institution’s IT environment from a dated operational model to a highly responsive and sustainable virtualized computing environment. Previously developed and directed IT operations of academic and administrative networks for K-12 school districts in Connecticut. Formerly a faculty member at the University of Hartford (School of Education – Graduate Program) and practicing certified teacher in Connecticut grades 4 through 8. Other professional experience includes architecture, graphic design, marketing and as a performing and recording artist for Capitol and Atlantic Records.

My lifelong interest in the confluence of the Arts with new and evolving technologies has provided certain critical insights into the complex world where technology converges with education. Although I still retain a strong interest in the Arts I am committed to finding better and sustainable ways to support education through technology. I believe that our society’s only hope lies in education and that we are nearing a point of criticality in meeting those educational needs.

Other:
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Information Technology Steering Committee
Member: IEEE, BICSI, Educause, ISTE
National Journalism Award, Princeton University Press & Business Week Publications
Outstanding Achievement Award - Computing and Educational Technology Graduate Program, University of Hartford

Speaker: Deborah Pepper

A seasoned professional and entrepreneur with a broad range of expertise including relationship management, customer service and delivery, IT services and support, executive project management , communications and strategic planning. Since February of 2011 she has led strategic, collaborative and cost savings initiatives benefitting the colleges. She works across six colleges focuses on a wide array of responsibilities and stakeholders and with the subject matter experts. She ran a newly created and successful market research division of a Lead Generation company for 5 years focused primarily on the IT industry. Prior to that, she served as the Chief of Staff to the CTO at John Hancock and was a member of the IBM governance team, she was also the Dean of Continuing Education at Bay State College and Chief Academic Officer at New England College of Business and Finance.

Speaker: Sean Philpott

CIO and Associate Vice President, Information Technology at Emmanuel College. Creative leader of information technology organizations and systems. Delivers strategic plans, effective teams, strong partnerships, and reliable administrative and academic services. Directs organizational development during periods of change. Active member of Datatel and EDUCAUSE communities.

Accomplished leader of information technology organizations and systems. Successfully directs organizational development during periods of significant growth and change. Experienced in creative approaches to strategic planning, team development, and building strong client relationships. Possesses diverse IT experience in higher education, entrepreneurial start-up, and corporate settings.

Specialties: Presentations at national and regional conferences including Educause and Datatel User's Group (DUG). Topics including strategic planning, IT governance, change management, project portfolio management, technology selection and implementation.

Speaker: Justin Ragsdale

A technology enthusiast working full time in higher education technology since 2004. Experienced in several operational and strategic projects spanning across all departments within IT and the Institute. Maintains a small diverse staff which oversees the management and oversight of the college’s Network, Server, and Telecommunication operations. Since 2012 lead the development and implementation of a four year network infrastructure replacement plan, reducing maintenance cost and introducing better preventive maintenance schedules. Continues to expand and develop team skills integrating IaaS and SaaS concepts into operational and strategic initiatives.


Speaker: Ken Taillon

Ken Taillon has been at Wesleyan for 18 years managing all facets of our wired and wireless network. James Taft has been at Wesleyan for 12 years managing the Windows server and networking groups.


Speaker: Doug Wilkinson

As Associate Director for Network Technology, Doug leads the teams for Network Engineering, Security Engineering and Network Operations at Brown University. This includes wired and wireless network support for all areas, Network security devices, Internet connectivity and datacenter networking

Speaker: Al Williams

Al received a BS in Computer Science from Lehigh University; completed his MBA program at the University of Baltimore, and is enrolled in a doctorate program in higher education at Benedictine University. He spent over 25 years in the private sector working for Dupont and IBM. Al’s first position in education was teaching high school math in the School District of Philadelphia. He then assisted the Rhode Island Department of Education with implementing several IT projects funded by the Race to the Top grants. Today Al is the CIO at Massasoit Community College. He lives in Newton, MA with his wife of 29 years.