The J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology has had an exceptionally busy start to the year, with our first Executive Forum, second Business Executive in Residence, and the opening of our Center for Technology & Empowerment.

I enjoyed representing our college at the AAC&U conference by participating in a panel presentation on Advancing Public Purpose Through Societal Impact: Business Education at Public Liberal Arts Colleges with the business school deans from Eastern Connecticut State University, Truman State University, University of Montevallo, and the University of Mary Washington.

I traveled with Drs. Pridmore and Risvold, as well as Mr. Kevin Neary, to New York City to visit AI Lab board member, Dennis Mandich, CEO of Qrpyt, on the 83rd floor of the One World Tower. We also met with Michael Dobson from IBM and received a tour of the IBM Innovation Studio. I am starting February at the AACSB Deans Conference where I will learn about any accreditation changes.

On January 27, we had our first guest from Dublin, Ireland, Mr. Kevin Neary, the co-founder and CEO of Orcawise, visit campus. He presented "An AI Road Map for Business Leaders" to a room full of community business leaders. Our next one, on March 3rd, is on economic development and will be led by Mike Ciabattoni, Managing Partner of CW Holdings LLC. Register for the Annual Executive Forum Membership today.

Mr. Neary also served as our second Business Executive in Residence. In this program, business leaders spend time on campus for a few days visiting classrooms and working alongside faculty. Read more about our Business Executive in Residence Program on Front Page. During his visit, Mr. Neary consulted with our Center of Technology & Empowerment (CTE) in the Department of Information Systems & Computer Science. Neary had the opportunity to speak to a student audience that was standing room only, with a presentation entitled "Critical Thinking in the Age of AI." We are so grateful for the collaboration with Mr. Neary and Orcawise on our study abroad.

This month, we are highlighting the accomplishments of our Department of Information Systems & Computer Science. I invite you to join me in celebrating our college's recent successes. I also want to encourage you to visit campus during Homecoming Weekend. On February 20th, we'll have a showcase featuring our updated Bloomberg Terminals and Bobcat Boardroom.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tanya Goette

Interim Dean

Professor of Management Information Systems

The Department of Information Systems & Computer Science offers the following valuable degrees:

• Computer Science, BS
• Data Science, BS
• Management Information Systems, BBA
• Master of Management Information Systems, MMIS

One of the unique aspects of our department is the active involvement of our IT Advisory Board, which plays a pivotal role in shaping our curriculum and ensuring its relevance to industry needs. The board's engagement extends beyond the classroom, as they sponsor and participate in career-focused events, such as etiquette dinners, networking socials, career fairs, mock interviews, and pitch competitions. Our Bobcats are tech-savvy and prepared for what's next in tech.

• Alumna Madison Farmer, who was our 2024 MIS Outstanding student, recently received a Barclay's Star Award for support, contribution, and dedication towards driving workplace and collaboration priorities in 2024.

• Alum Jefferson Collins, 2023, was nominated for the RavenVolt Quarter Bonus program - where employees nominate colleagues who have gone above and beyond for the company and their peers.

• Dr. John Huang and his co-authors had a paper entitled "Exploration of Organizational Resilience in Taiwanese Hotels" accepted for presentation at the Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference (forthcoming).
• Dr. Cathy Liu presented in CCSC: NW "A Practical Approach to Improve CS Curriculum Through Continuous Assessment to ABET Outcomes"

Dr. Ward Risvold serves as Co-Director of the Center of Technology and Empowerment (CTE) and AI Lab Coordinator at Georgia College & State University. Dr. Risvold holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, where his interdisciplinary work combined digital humanities with social network analysis, and as a certified Artificial Intelligence Management Professional (AIMP), Dr. Risvold brings a unique combination of humanities expertise and technological innovation to his leadership roles.

In his position as AI Lab Coordinator, Dr. Risvold oversees initiatives including AI-powered virtual tutoring, specialized workshops, and continuing education courses, and he hosts an influential technology podcast featuring conversations with industry leaders and produces workshops on AI applications in education and business. His work focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application of artificial intelligence across disciplines.

As Co-Director of the newly established Center of Technology and Empowerment, Dr. Risvold helps lead a comprehensive technology hub that combines artificial intelligence, enterprise systems, and e-commerce solutions. The Center aims to address the growing tech talent shortage while advancing computing opportunities for all through hands-on experience, industry partnerships, and community engagement.

Dr. Risvold's commitment to innovation in technology education and his expertise in both humanities and artificial intelligence position him uniquely to advance the CTE's mission of fostering technological innovation while empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Caroline Collier serves as Co-Director of the newly established Center of Technology and Empowerment (CTE) and E-Commerce Design Lab Coordinator at Georgia College & State University. Ms. Collier brings over two decades of experience in web development, e-commerce solutions, and technology education to her leadership role at the CTE.

In her capacity as E-Commerce Design Lab Coordinator, Ms. Collier oversees initiatives that provide hands-on experience to both graduate and undergraduate students in web-based technologies, including website development, social media management, and e-commerce solutions. Her lab has been instrumental in fostering student empowerment through real-world projects and community engagement.

Prior to her current role, Ms. Collier served as Director of the Center of Design and E-Commerce (CODEC) from 2014 to 2023, where she successfully managed numerous technology projects and student initiatives. She is also a dedicated advocate for broadening participation in computing, serving as a Faculty Advisor for Georgia College Women In Technology (GC WIT) since 2015 and actively participating in the National Center for Women and Information Technology.

Ms. Collier holds an MMIS from Georgia College & State University and a BBA from University Rennes France. She is a certified SCRUM Master and has received recognition for her community service, including the prestigious Irene Rose Community Service Award from Georgia College & State University in 2023. Her extensive consulting experience includes working with numerous businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities to develop and implement technology solutions.

In her new role as CTE Co-Director, Ms. Collier helps lead the center's mission to foster innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological expertise within the framework of a liberal arts education, while continuing to empower students, faculty, and community partners in leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

Kali Kimball is a senior software engineering consultant at Slalom, a mid-sized consulting firm. We interviewed Kali as she shared insights into her current role at Slalom, highlighting the dynamic nature of the consulting field. She emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in navigating a constantly evolving professional landscape.

How did you get started in your career?

I started out at ADP in 2019, and I actually got that job through Grace Hopper! I was able to attend the Grace Hopper Conference because of Georgia College & funding from the IT Advisory Board. Georgia College not only helped me attend Grace Hopper, but it also afforded me the space to learn in small classes. I'm pretty sure my graduating class for computer science was only about 25-30 people. Luckily, my graduating year had comparatively a large number of women - five or six! I never felt super weird being one of a few women in the classroom - you get used to it & everyone was always supportive.

Did you start out as a computer science major?

I didn't, actually. My dad was an IT manager, and I went to work with him one time when I was a kid and I thought his job was so boring. I thought it was the most boring thing I've ever seen. He was on calls all day and he was looking at a computer screen all the time and as a kid I was not impressed. So, I came into Georgia College as a math major because I really enjoyed math in high school, and I went in as a math major. As a math major, you have to take computer science I and II. I remember computer science was my first 8:00 AM class. I had Doctor Phelps and she was amazing. But again, this is 8:00 AM as a freshman and it was computer science. I remember telling my dad, "this is terrible!"

You mentioned Dr. Phelps, were there any other faculty members who made a big impact on you at Georgia College?

Doctor Phelps was awesome. I think she was probably the most impactful professor for me. She was so excited every day about teaching and there is a difference between going into a classroom and your professor comes in and is excited and not just reading off of a PowerPoint. I felt so engaged and her assignments, I still think of them and know that they helped me in my career, so she would probably be my number one. Dr. Phelps also helped me to do undergraduate research with NSF, and I ended up spending a summer at Montana State University, where I met my best friend, and ended up publishing my first paper.

What's a big accomplishment in your career or challenge you've overcome?

I moved to Slalom in 2022 after being at ADP for a little over two years. When I began at Slalom, being a Consultant allowed me to stretch my skill set and try new things. I was able to become a Quality Engineer on one of my projects - a role I had never been before.

Honestly, I didn't know much about Quality Engineering - up to that point, QEs were just the people who tested my code. I decided to give it a shot since I wanted to learn something new. Even though I definitely wasn't sure what I was doing at first, I ended up picking up the skill set super quickly, and I came to really enjoy & excel at it. Now, I'm able to give testing advice & create cohesive test plans for my coworkers and clients while still working as a full-stack engineer.

What I'm really proud of is how I've helped tackle a problem many companies struggle with - balancing fast delivery with proper testing. Plus, this experience totally changed how I code. Now I'm always thinking about quality. It has made me a better engineer overall, and I'm happy to have found something I'm passionate about.

What advice do you have for current computer science students?

I’ve definitely struggled with a fear of failure, both in college and even now. It’s something I still deal with all the time. For college students, especially right now, it’s easy to be afraid of failing, especially given the current job market. With fewer job postings, it’s hard not to feel discouraged. I remember being terrified of interviews, even at events like Grace Hopper. My senior year, I was on a plane to the conference, totally stressed out, convinced I wouldn’t land a job.

Dr. Godin was sitting behind me, and she noticed how anxious I was. She asked what I was afraid of, and I told her, “What if I don’t get a job?” And she just said, “Kali, you’re going to get a job.” It was such a simple thing to say, but it stuck with me because it made me realize I didn’t have to put all my focus on getting a job at Grace Hopper. If it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out. But as long as I kept trying, I would eventually get there, and maybe the right job for me just wasn’t at that moment.

It reminded me that persistence is key. If you’re persistent enough, you can accomplish almost anything. And if something doesn’t work out, you pivot, try something else, and keep going. So yeah, I’d say persistence and being open-minded to new opportunities are huge. Also, communication is really important too. That’s something I’d tell computer science students. Our liberal arts classes really helped with communication skills.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Learn how to talk to different people in your career, because you're not just going to be talking to technical people, you're going to be talking to people in the business. If you go into academia, you're going to have to write a lot of papers. You're going to have to promote yourself to get funded. Communication is probably the most important thing. If you can't explain things, you'll miss opportunities.

• Dr. Nicholas Creel recently published an article on AI copyright laws in Newsweek, and an article about the TikTok ban, also in Newsweek. Dr. Creel also helped to facilitate a conversation and focus group on campus, which you can read about in Front Page.

• Dr. Ania Rynarzewska co-published a paper, "Online dating adoption and use: Differences between lesbian/gay, bisexual, and heterosexual adults" that was accepted in First Monday, which is a journal focused on Internet research. It is ABDC "B."

• Dr. Rynarzewska also was featured on X discussing social media and the mental health of athletes with the Professional Tennis Players Association.

• Dr. Joanna Schwartz was featured in an interview about the economy and business environment in the United States with the Tokyo Broadcasting Company.

• Six of our students have had their undergraduate research papers accepted to present at the Academy of Economics & Finance Conference on February 13th at Pensacola, FL.

• Dr. J. J. Arias Presided over the Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) events at the American Economic Association Meetings in San Fransisco. ODE is the International Honor Society for Economics.

• Dr. Sandria Stephenson was nominated as a Candidate for Vice President-Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the AAA.

• Dr. Stephenson also presented the following at the AAA-Management Accounting Section: Earnings Quality vs. Earnings Management: A Matter of Accountants’ Judgement; and Using the Five Steps Decision-Making Process to Develop Exam Prep strategies and goals.

• The 2025 Meet the Firms: Accounting Career Fair was held where 29 accounting firms and governmental organizations visited campus to share internships, full-time associate positions, and summer leadership programs.

• In other accounting news, Beta Alpha Psi is planning the 2025 Spring Atlanta Trip, where they will visit the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. Beta Alpha Psi will also hold Fraud Night, open to all business majors.

Our Department of Accounting & Business Law is partnering with the United Way of Central Georgia to provide free tax return preparation services. These services are for qualified taxpayers in the Milledgeville area.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is provided to the community by undergraduate and graduate accounting students and overseen by accounting instructor Scott Burns. This initiative offers the broader community a valuable service while also providing students with both real-world experience and the opportunity to give back to Milledgeville and Baldwin County. Interested participants can register for an appointment here.

The Master of Management Information Systems is offered as a Double Bobcat program. This allows students to take graduate classes that count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

This degree positions students for a position in designing, implementing and managing corporate information resources or serving as a liaison between a functional area and a centralized IT office. Students in this program take courses such as Intro to Enterprise Systems, Business & Technology Project, and IT Strategy & Governance.The MMIS program blends technology skills in such areas as SAP and SQL with soft skills in analysis, project management, and strategic planning. Apply today.