April 05, 2019

TECC Day 2019 to focus on technology creativity, security and accessibility

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. – A workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week will provide information on technology security, design and operations.

Tech Dawgs, a registered student organization within the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies (ISAT) is hosting “TECC Day 2019: Tech Exploration for the Carbondale Community.” The workshop is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 13 in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Building. The workshops will be in the CLC lab, Room C112 and ASA 111.

The inaugural event will feature speakers and workshops on various technology topics to provide a “fun, educational and inclusive experience,” said Belle S. Woodward, associate professor in ISAT and faculty adviser.

Pre-register now for free

The event is free and open to the public. While not required, pre-registration is recommended for breakfast considerations.

The workshops and guest speakers will focus on three primary areas: creativity, accessibility and security. The guest speakers and their topics are:

  • 9:30 a.m. – Matt Nicklin, Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, Marion, “Online Privacy and Security.”
  • 11 a.m. – Joseph Gollner, senior director, Automation Tooling & Cloud at Elavon, Inc., “The Networked Experience.”

Nicklin is a cybersecurity specialist with 20 years of experience in information technology and operational technology. He specializes in industrial control system cybersecurity. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Technologies from SIU Carbondale and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity Technology from the University of Maryland University College.

An opportunity for community involvement

Jessica Peck, Tech Dawgs vice president, said the event is an opportunity for students to be involved with serving their community. The interaction helps students’ professional and educational development and allows them to improve their interpersonal skills, gain self-confidence and increase a desire to improve the community.

“Although we know this is only the beginning, we are all excited to see this event grow in the future and hope to inspire years of students ahead of us who also wish to make an impact in the community around them,” Peck said.

For more information on the event, contact information systems technologies students Kimberly Oest at kimberly.oest@siu.edu, Peck at jpeck@siu.edu, or the Tech Dawgs RSO at techdawgs@siu.edu.