NERCOMP is pleased to announce this year's recipient of the Katie Vale Memorial Scholarship is Alison Murray of the University of Massachusetts - Boston
Alison Murray of the University of Massachusetts - Boston
I love technology, learning, people, and getting people excited about technology and how it can improve their own learning! I am passionate about helping women, girls, and marginalized identities overcome barriers by making technologies accessible, digestible, and fun, especially within cybersecurity and music production. Being awarded this scholarship would allow me to honor the legacy and spirit of Katie Vale by extending my current community connections and resources to a new shared space with like-minded professionals, learn from them, share with them, and ultimately broaden and deepen my work back within my home community. (Text submitted by Alison Murray of UMASS Boston.)
We had the pleasure of hiring Alison back in 2012 as a Desktop Consultant in Client Services. During her interview, we were super-impressed with both the technical and people/customer service skills she had developed @ GeekSquad. Alison hit the ground running and quickly became our Mac expert on campus, with both faculty and staff seeking her out for assistance. She played a prominent role in our annual 'computer refresh' program ... developing systems and protocols to help the deployment of over 300 computers in a short period. We quickly learned that we had hired a winner...... (Text submitted by Apurva Mehta of UMASS Boston.)
Alison has worked at UMass Boston for over a decade and has charted an impressive career trajectory - from desktop support to IT security. I have been so impressed by the way she has been self-motivated to learn, grow, and improve. As a woman working in a highly male-dominated field, she has had to carve her own path while serving as a mentor and role model for others and being a supportive colleague and community builder. Alison embodies the best of what we hope to see from all leaders in IT, not just women in IT. (Text submitted by Mary Moser of UMASS Boston.)
Please join us in congratulating Alison on this accomplishment.