The event drew close to 100 participants from ten colleges and universities from across the state of Georgia. Participating institutions included: Atlanta Technical College, Augusta University, Columbus State University, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech (and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)), Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University and Savannah State University.

Participants solved “capture the flag” challenges, designed to help sharpen cybersecurity skills and knowledge.

“The Southeastern Cyber Cup was a fun way to highlight the importance of cybersecurity as a community responsibility – a responsibility that’s not the job of just one person,” said Chief Information Security Officer Leo Howell. “Teams got the chance to learn how to spot web vulnerabilities and participate in various exercises on topics such as cryptography, forensic investigations, and incident response," continued Howell. "Next year, the competition will be bigger and better!”

Deloitte served as the inaugural event's partnering sponsor. Additional sponsors included Elastic, Fortinet, and Splunk.

Team ‘A Family that Hacks Together Stacks Together’ from Georgia Tech took top place in the competition. Rounding out the top three teams were 'Suvoni' (Georgia Tech) and 'Clockcycles' (GTRI).

To learn more about the Southeastern Cyber Cup, visit sites.gatech.edu/cybercup.

“The holidays present an especially busy time for online activity and, unfortunately, cybercriminals take advantage,” said Leo Howell, Georgia Tech chief information security officer. “From creating fake shopping sites to exploiting financial transactions, threats are all around and it is important to remain vigilant.” 

Phishing — the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages purporting to be from reputable companies or individuals to induce people to reveal personal information — is also common. 

“The Cyber Security team at Georgia Tech has seen heightened phishing attempts across the campus,” Howell continued. “Email scams typically increase in frequency throughout the holiday season. I routinely encourage employees to double-check matters such as their financial institution’s routing number and their account number provided for direct deposit and instruct students how to detect suspicious emails and text messages.” 

The Office of Information Technology offers the following tips to stay safe online this season and beyond: 

• Always STOP, THINK, and CHECK. Shop reliable websites of retailers you know and trust and visit their sites directly by entering a known, trusted URL into the address bar instead of following a link. Do research on retailers that you are not familiar with, such as looking for and examining consumer reviews, and verify that the retailer has a legitimate mailing address and phone number for sales or support questions. 
• Be mindful of package tracking emails, fake ecards, charity donation scams, or anything that requests confirmation of purchase information. Double-check email links that appear to be from major retailers and shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS. 
• If you receive an email, text message, or call with a deal that’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Follow up with your own research. 

In your Georgia Tech accounts, don’t: 

• Reset passwords via links sent in emails. Instead, go directly to BuzzPort (buzzport.gatech.edu) or Passport (passport.gatech.edu) URLs to change your passwords. 
• Respond to job solicitations that you did not apply for or expect.
• Click DUO prompts when you have not attempted a login. 
• Engage with suspicious emails that are sent to your Georgia Tech email account. Instead, immediately forward the email to phishing@gatech.edu.

Leo Howell has played a crucial role in guiding initiatives across the campus community aimed at crafting thorough solutions for addressing cybersecurity risks at Georgia Tech. I am confident in his capacity to guide the team through this period of transition,” said Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance and chief business officer.

Howell joined Georgia Tech in October 2021, reporting to Hubbard as the chief information security officer. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of an Institute-wide information security and risk management program. As a member of the senior leadership team in OIT, he is responsible for creating and maintaining a cybersecurity program and leading the cybersecurity team, which manages the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Institute information assets and cybersecurity-related compliance.

“It is a privilege to step into this role for OIT as part of the leadership transitional plan,” said Howell. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to further support the Institute’s instructional, research, and service missions.”

The search for the next vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer is in progress. The national executive search firm WittKieffer will assist Georgia Tech in the search. More information will be shared when it is available.

As director of Faculty and External Engagement with C21U, Goetzel will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage and collaborate with faculty across Georgia Tech on C21U initiatives; building and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners – including OIT and the Division of Lifetime Learning – as well as other professional organizations, universities, corporations, and foundations; assisting in the systemic exploration, development, adoption, and assessment of new and innovative educational methodologies and curricular models and furthering the Institute’s efforts in lifelong learning initiatives for both traditional and nontraditional learners; and representing C21U to external audiences. 

Goetzel has over 20 years of experience in higher education technology. Most recently, he accepted an invitation to join the 1EdTech Higher Education Executive Council, a distinguished member-based non-profit community partnership that brings together leading educational providers and government organizations. For the past two years, Goetzel has also co-chaired the Affordable Degrees-at-Scale Symposium, a preeminent event for higher education leaders to engage in intensive conversations on the strategies, trends, and challenges associated with scaled degree programs. 

In November, Goetzel was also an inaugural recipient of the Advocates for Accessibility Awards by the Office of Equity and Compliance Programs, awarded to campus individuals, departments, and programs who have actively worked to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in the Georgia Tech community.

Office of Information Technology staffers Dr. Warren Goetzel, director of Academic Technologies and Engagement, and Dr. James Logan, quality assurance manager, were among the inaugural honorees who have contributed to the work of accessibility through their leadership and expertise at the Advocates for Accessibility Awards Reception held on Nov. 15. 

“Although I am truly honored to receive an Advocates for Accessibility Award, the real honor is being able to work with an amazing group of accessibility advocates at Georgia Tech,” Goetzel said. “Accessibility for all benefits the entire Tech community and contributes to a more just and equitable society.” 

To view a full listing of 2023 Advocates for Accessibility Awards honorees, visit diversity.gatech.edu/equity-compliance/50-years-section-504/advocates-accessibility-reception.  

Hubbard joined Georgia Tech in September 2020, as vice president for Information Technology and CIO. In this role, he has provided vision, leadership, and oversight in the development and implementation of information technology. He has been responsible for establishing the strategic direction of information technology resources, including a governance strategy, as well as supporting information users by determining trends and technologies needed to advance the Institute’s academic and research mission.

“Daren’s contributions to Georgia Tech have been invaluable, and while we bid farewell to a brilliant leader, we also celebrate the lasting mark he has left on our institution. I extend my best wishes for continued success and a huge thank you for his unwavering dedication to advancing technology and innovation at Georgia Tech,” said Shantay Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “As we embark on this transition, we remain committed to upholding the standards of excellence that define our institution and eagerly anticipate the continued growth of our technology landscape."

As Princeton’s chief strategist and operational leader of the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the vice president and CIO is responsible for providing strategic leadership to identify, develop, and implement information systems, services, and the technical infrastructure that enables the Princeton community to achieve its mission to advance learning through research and teaching of unsurpassed quality. The OIT organization has a staff of over 300 people working across six core functions: the information security office, enterprise infrastructure services, software and application services, the service management office, the project and technology consulting office, and operations and planning. At Princeton University, Hubbard will be responsible for successfully transitioning OIT to a new organizational structure reporting to the executive vice president.

Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Hubbard worked for Wayne State since 1999 and was responsible for the university’s computing and networking facilities, enterprise software applications, learning management environments, high-performance research computing, information security, and information technology support services.

Hubbard’s last day in his role at Tech is Dec. 31. Details about interim leadership and the search for a successor will be announced soon.

Buffington has extensive experience at Georgia Tech and has worked in a variety of roles and responsibilities since 1995, enabling innovative uses of information technologies in both research and academic/instructional capacities. Most recently, she served as director of Research Cyberinfrastructure & Computing – guiding the work of the Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment – or PACE. PACE is a collaboration between Georgia Tech faculty and OIT with a focus on high performance computing infrastructure with technical support services. Prior to her time leading PACE, Buffington led OIT’s Digital Learning Team as associate director of Academic Technologies and steered external relations activities for Center for 21st Century Universities, or C21U.  

“Pam brings a wealth of IT knowledge and leadership into this role, including her ability to bridge academic and research communities at Georgia Tech,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “She has been an integral partner across many units at the Institute for years and I am excited for what she will bring in this next step of her journey with OIT.” 

Buffington is also a published researcher who most recently co-authored Semi-Automatic Hybrid Software Deployment Workflow in a Research Computing Center.  

An official “Double Jacket,” Buffington earned both her undergraduate (BS’95) and Master of Business Administration (MBA ’23) degrees from Georgia Tech. 

Hosted under the theme ‘Empowering You,’ the 2023 conference guided attendees through three days of in-person (and online) sessions, demonstrations, and enriching keynotes that showcased the power of data and data tools available at the Institute – and beyond.

Data Days – Empowering You kicked off its first day with a rousing keynote address by Dr. Amelia Parnell, vice president for Research and Policy at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She was proceeded with welcome messages from Dr. Shantay Bolton, executive vice president of Administration and Finance and chief business officer, and Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer, and Data Days executive sponsor.

“The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Empowering You,’” Hubbard said. “This theme is centered around equipping data users with the tools and resources to manage and leverage data effectively. Throughout the week, I encourage you to engage in conversations and make meaningful connections that help strengthen our culture of continuous learning and data-driven decision making here at Georgia Tech.”

The Office of Information Technology’s (OIT) Katie Crawford – executive director of Enterprise Applications and Data Management – and Zachary Hayes – director of Data Governance – served as 2023 co-chairs.

Data Days featured more than two dozen concurrent sessions presented by more than 40 Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students and representatives from the University System of Georgia (USG) and fellow USG institutions. Vendors hosted demonstrations and live workshops. A poster session featured a dozen data-themed presentations from students, faculty, and staff. A student-led presentation and discussion took the spotlight one conference evening.

In total, some 300 unique participants attended the conference in-person, hosted in the Bill Moore Student Success Center. Sessions were also streamed to online attendees.

2023 Data Days corporate sponsors included: Accenture, Deloitte, Elastic, OneTrust, Tableau, Splunk, and Workday.

Data Days – Empowering You session recordings can be viewed via the OIT YouTube channel at b.gatech.edu/DataDaysRecordings2023.

Learn more about Data Days at Georgia Tech by visiting c.gatech.edu/datadays.

Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of:

• Accessible media, Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the university, business and public settings.
• Legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance.
• The creation of accessible media and information resources, including Web pages and library resources.
• The incorporation of Universal Design content into university curriculums.

Typical audiences include:

• Web Designers & Project Managers
• Assistive Technologists
• ADA Coordinators
• Human Resource Personnel
• Persons With Disabilities
• Disability Specialists
• Faculty
• Course Designers
• Media Specialists and Programmers
• IT and Communication Managers 

Highly Recommended Sessions Include:

TUESDAY, NOV. 15
Accessibility Testing Workshop | 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16
PDF Accessibility – When is Good, Good Enough? | 11:15 a.m.  - 12:15 p.m. EST

FRIDAY, NOV. 18
The Road to Accessibility is Paved with Best Practices: Avoiding Best Intentions Pitfalls in Accessibility | 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. EST

A complete agenda of discussion topics can be found at: https://accessinghigherground.org/conference-schedule-overview-2022/ . Please note that times shown on the linked website are in Mountain time (two hours behind) and not Eastern time. 

Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of:

• Accessible media, Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the university, business and public settings.
• Legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance.
• The creation of accessible media and information resources, including Web pages and library resources.
• The incorporation of Universal Design content into university curriculums.

Typical audiences include:

• Web Designers & Project Managers
• Assistive Technologists
• ADA Coordinators
• Human Resource Personnel
• Persons With Disabilities
• Disability Specialists
• Faculty
• Course Designers
• Media Specialists and Programmers
• IT and Communication Managers 

Highly Recommended Sessions Include:

Monday, November 6 (Conference Room 302)

• Mobile Accessibility for Websites and Native Apps at 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 8 (Conference Room 317)

• Accessibility Testing: Don’t Just Rely on What Automated Tests Tell You at 10:00 a.m.

• Accessibility and the 3 Bears of AI at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 9 (Conference Room 302)

• Exploring Applications of Chat GPT and Similar Large Language Model AI to Promote Access at 11:15 a.m.

• An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Copilot to Assist in Building Accessible Digital Products Is on the Way… at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, November 10 (Conference Room 302)

• Chat GPT, Can You Help Me? Chat GPT as Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities at 11:15 a.m.

• AI for Extended Audio Descriptions and Closed Captions: Why It Matters? at 12:30 p.m.

• Website Liability Legal Update at 11:15 a.m.

A complete agenda of virtual sessions can be found at: https://accessinghigherground.org/virtual-2023/ . Please note that times shown on the linked website are in Mountain time (two hours behind) and not Eastern time. 

Beginning Monday, Oct. 30, access to Georgia Tech systems will be interrupted for employees who fail to complete the training by the Oct. 27 deadline. Employees will need to complete all four of the training modules in order to restore their access to the Georgia Tech systems.  

Employees can access the training at b.gatech.edu/genius. It will take a little over one hour to complete. 

The required training modules include:       

1. University System of Georgia Ethics Refresher.      

2. Sexual Misconduct.      

3. Ethics in Action (includes Conflict of Interest attestation).     

4. Cybersecurity Awareness/2023 Your Role: Internet Security and You.     

The first three training modules are accessible via the Genius platform. To complete the Cybersecurity Awareness training module, you will be redirected to KnowB4, where you will select the “Training” tab to access “2023 Your Role: Internet Security and You.” 

It can take up to 24 hours for the system to update to show completion, and you can verify that you have completed all the training at b.gatech.edu/genius. You have completed the required training if, on the right side of your home page under COMPLETED COURSES, you see both “2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training” and “2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training Cybersecurity.” In addition, you will receive two certifications – one in Genius and one in KnowB4 – indicating that you have completed the full 2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training.  

The Institute appreciates the community's dedication to exercising sound ethical judgment, acting with integrity and transparency, and upholding the University System of Georgia's and the Institute's policies and compliance obligations.    

Questions about the training may be submitted to Compliance Training Request Help. For additional assistance, contact Terry Bridges, interim Compliance Training manager, at Terry.Bridges@gtri.gatech.edu.       

The virtual competition will explore real-world cyber tasks where participants work to find “flags." Cybersecurity and other IT professionals, students, and those with an interest in the topic are invited to take part by signing up at sites.gatech.edu/cybercup. 

The virtual competition will explore real-world cyber tasks where participants work to find “flags." Cybersecurity and other IT professionals, students, and those with an interest in the topic are invited to take part by signing up at sites.gatech.edu/cybercup. 

Beginning Oct. 15, eligible employees will follow a more streamlined process for submitting and tracking their applications in the Administrative Services portal. 

“Of the many benefits offered to Georgia Tech employees, the educational assistance programs really provide a direct investment in our employees’ future,” said Gail Imoukhuede, director of Benefits and Retirement in Georgia Tech Human Resources. “On average, we receive more than 1,000 applications throughout the year and are excited to implement a new digitized system that will improve the submission and approval process from start to end.”  

There are two educational assistance programs available to Georgia Tech employees — each with specific criteria. 

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is offered by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents and provides a tuition waiver to full-time, benefits-eligible employees, both faculty and staff, who have worked for at least six months within the USG.  

• Time worked in a temporary position does not count toward the six-month eligibility requirement.  
• Eligible employees may seek approval to enroll in up to nine academic semester hours for each of the three designated semester periods: Fall, Spring, and Summer.  
• Employees must apply by the TAP/STRAP application deadline to receive the waiver of tuition and mandatory fees. 

The Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP) is offered by Georgia Tech and provides partial tuition reimbursement for full-time staff (exempt and non-exempt) who have worked for at least 12 months with Georgia Tech.  

• Time worked in a temporary position does not count toward the 12-month eligibility requirement.  
• Eligible employees may seek approval to enroll in up to six academic semester hours for each of the three designated semester periods: Fall, Spring, and Summer.  
• Employees must apply by the TAP/STRAP application deadline to be reimbursed for tuition. 
• Programs of study must be applicable to a career field at Georgia Tech. 

Click here for more information, including deadlines, ineligible programs of study, and frequently asked questions. 

TAP and STRAP Application Procedures 

1. Apply for enrollment through the admissions office at the institution you plan to attend during their designated application dates. 
2. Complete the applicable TAP or STRAP application; applications this upcoming semester will be digitized and available on Oct. 15 in your Administrative Services portal. Applications will not be accepted prior to Oct. 15. 
3. List the courses you plan to take, and if you are not sure, put your best guess (you can reach out via your application request to change it later). 

Note: Once you submit your application it will automatically route to your manager(s) for approval(s) 

Please ensure your application is submitted and approved by 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. Applications received after this date cannot be honored. A new application must be completed for each semester by the deadline. 

Special Note about TAP Registration Dates 

As a TAP participant, it is important that employees only register for classes during the TAP employee registration dates for the institution you are attending. These dates change each semester and will differ depending on the USG institution you are attending. If you register prior to the employee registration period, you risk your classes being dropped, and your TAP waiver will be removed.  

Additional information can also be found in the TAP Policy and STRAP Policy  

Need Help? 

Before Oct. 15: Contact via eduassist@gatech.edu. 

Beginning Oct. 15: Contact the Administrative Services Center for assistance 

• Phone: 404.385.1111 
• Request Help: Submit a general HR request 

This year’s conference is all about empowerment and how Georgia Tech students, faculty, researchers, and staff can leverage available tools and knowledge to harness the power of data effectively. Led by experts in data management at Georgia Tech and partnering institutions within the University System of Georgia, sessions will explore how participants can use data to inform decision-making, enhance efficiency, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.  

“We are excited to host Data Days for a second year,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer as well as the executive sponsor for Data Days. “This year’s theme, Empowering You, centers around increasing access to tools and education for the data community.”  

Introduced in 2022, Data Days was coordinated to bring together voices from across the Institute to discuss best practices in the management, protection, and value of data. The goal of the event is to build and strengthen community of practice around data services offered at Georgia Tech.  

Data Days attendance is free and open to the Georgia Tech community. To view a full schedule of events and register to attend, visit c.gatech.edu/datadays.

This year’s conference is all about empowerment and how Georgia Tech students, faculty, researchers, and staff can leverage available tools and knowledge to harness the power of data effectively. Led by experts in data management at Georgia Tech and partnering institutions within the University System of Georgia, sessions will explore how participants can use data to inform decision-making, enhance efficiency, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.  

Data Days attendance is free and open to the Georgia Tech community. To view a full schedule of events and register to attend, visit c.gatech.edu/datadays.

"Helping to ensure compliance is a responsibility held by everyone at Georgia Tech,” said Tech’s General Counsel Danette Joslyn-Gaul. “By sharing a commitment to fully engage in this training, we can foster a culture that puts our values into practice." 

Beginning Monday, Sept. 25, all faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Sept. 18 will be required to complete the Fall Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, Oct. 27. The training will be available at gatech.geniussis.com. This year’s training will include the following four modules and should take no longer than one hour to complete:   

• University System of Georgia Ethics Refresher. 

• Sexual Misconduct. 

• Ethics in Action (includes Conflict of Interest attestation).  

• Cybersecurity Awareness/2023 Your Role: Internet Security and You. 

The training is mandated by the USG for all employees. It can be completed on a desktop or laptop and does not need to be finished at one time. Employees who do not complete the training by the deadline may face disciplinary action by the Institute. 

To learn more about the 2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training, visit ethicsfirst.gatech.edu/trainingandresources.

Employees can access the training's four modules at gatech.geniussis.com. If you have questions about the training, submit a ticket to  Compliance Training Request Help.

In celebration of welcoming students to campus for the start of the fall semester, A&F is excited to have Paul Kohn, vice provost for Enrollment Management, join us for this month’s town hall to provide insights into the incoming class at Georgia Tech. Plus, he will share perspectives on enrollment trends as well as the importance of services offered in A&F to support this changing landscape.

We are reserving time for Q&A, and participants are encouraged to take a minute to submit your questions in advance to evpaf@gatech.edu.

As the date nears, Georgia Tech instructors and students are reminded to download, save, and transfer any remaining T-Square content. After the sunset, course content will be permanently deleted from T-Square in accordance with the Georgia Tech Records Management and Retention Policy.

Georgia Tech replaced T-Square with Canvas as its primary LMS five years ago after a campuswide selection process and comprehensive study. The transition, which started in 2017 and concluded in 2018, aimed to modernize the Institute’s academic tools with a cloud-based, accessible SaaS solution offering greater functionality. Canvas, with its 25 integrations, supports a larger, interoperable digital ecosystem. The shift to Canvas also facilitated the launch of new online degree programs in analytics and cybersecurity.

Students and instructors are encouraged to save and migrate their data from T-Square to Canvas prior to Sept. 29. Several alternative platforms and tools for project sites are outlined in ServiceNow, and additional migration options are available via the T-Square Info knowledge article.

The OIT Digital Learning Team is available via email and ServiceNow to discuss specific needs or issues.

GTRI’s recruiting team was also integrated into the ASC in alignment with Tech’s overarching people-focused strategy to provide consistent HR services that support growth across all areas of the Institute.​ 

Employees can now contact the ASC for these services, where they will be greeted by a knowledgeable agent who will assist them with their question or issue. ​ 

Contact the ASC

1. You can navigate to the ASC portal at asc.gatech.edu to do the following:

• Search for answers to your HR or IT questions
• Submit a service request or general help request
• Schedule a walk-in appointment

2. You can also call the ASC at 404.385.1111 Monday through Friday

• HR and Directory Services: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tech Support Services: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Audio Visual Services: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

3. You can even walk-in for an appointment Monday through Friday

• HR support at 500 Tech Parkway: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tech Support Services at Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

You are invited to explore the ASC at asc.gatech.edu. 

“Jimmy was extremely instrumental in expanding our cybersecurity office to include critical teams that oversee operations, services, risk, and compliance,” said Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Daren Hubbard. “Under his leadership, Cyber Security has established multi-factor authentication, endpoint management and protection, log management, and many other comprehensive programs. We appreciate his contributions and commitment to Georgia Tech.”

Hubbard has named Didier Contis, director of Technology Services for the College of Engineering, as interim CISO, effective Feb. 1. Hubbard, who has assumed leadership of Georgia Tech’s data security efforts, will work closely with Contis, Cyber Security, and other units to advance efforts to strengthen the security of Institute data. Contis reports directly to Hubbard in his interim role and serve as part of OIT’s senior leadership team.

“Over the past 22 years, I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of the cyber and data security challenges, and ever-evolving threats that a premier research institution such as Georgia Tech must face,” Contis said. “As demonstrated by recent events, security cannot be an afterthought and must be an integral part of everything we do. Indeed, our constituents expect and trust that Georgia Tech fulfills its mission in a secure way, especially when the world's digitization is accelerating. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for all the hard work the Cyber Security team has been doing over the years to keep and improve the Institute security posture. I look forward to working with them. We must also recognize the tremendous leadership and impact Jimmy Lummis had on the Georgia Tech cybersecurity program. I feel honored to follow in his footsteps as interim CISO.”

Contis began his career at Georgia Tech in 1999 as a research engineer for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Before that, he was a network security engineer in the banking industry in France. He was the IT manager for Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 2004 to 2007 before becoming the first director of Technology Services for the College of Engineering. In this role, Contis established several partnerships with OIT and other academic units to develop new campuswide services in support of research and instruction, with a strong focus on empowering users.

“As both an alumnus and a proud Georgia Tech parent, I plan to work diligently in partnership with the community to ensure the security of the Institute and its data assets,” Contis said. “I am deeply committed to the fact that technology should enable students, faculty, and staff to work in an agile, reliable, and secure way. We must also work toward fully leveraging our data assets in a secure fashion to the benefit of our constituents, as well as to support the Institute's mission and new strategic initiatives.”

Contis holds a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur (bachelor’s degree) from the Ecole des Mines de Nantes-France.

"Maria has diligently served as interim executive director of the team since Jim Pete’s reassignment to Clayton State University in early 2022," said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer at Georgia Tech. "In that time, she has worked to strengthen the team’s engagement and advocated for the continued growth and development of Digital Business. She is currently working on a restructure of the team that would strengthen its service management program and better align client support resources to meet the growing needs of Georgia Tech's students, faculty, researchers and staff."

In her capacity as executive director, Hunter provides enterprise-wide leadership, strategic planning, and management of digital business technology and services, with focus on creating new value in business models, customer experiences, and internal capabilities that support core operations. She works with other senior leaders to Identify and develop processes and services that drive IT transformation and growth, and partners with the greater Institute business units and IT community for the delivery of best-in-class, customer-focused, technology services and support. 

Hunter has previously served OIT as director of Service Delivery and Support, associate director of Information Technology Services, and a department manager. Prior to Georgia Tech, she served in various capacities within IT at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic in New Orleans.  

Hunter holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Florida A&M University and a Master of Science from Tulane University. She has also completed Programmer/Developer programs with AT&T and Southern University.

“The Institute is growing, and we need to change the way we deliver administrative services to better support the evolving needs of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff,” said Ira Bragg, ASC executive director. “Our mission is to make high-volume, routine administrative transactions less complicated and easier to accomplish with fewer headaches. We are currently working with central functional units to identify, transition, and enhance the types of activities that will ease the administrative burden and generate a significant benefit for the community at large.” 

A Focused Approach to Service Improvements

To date, the ASC has had several successes as the team works toward improving the hiring experience for hiring managers, HR Partners (HR Business Partners and HR Directors), and candidates.

For example, the majority of student hiring is done through the Direct Hire eRequest Form, which digitizes the process of capturing and routing the information needed to process direct hire requests in a more accurate, complete, and timely manner. In addition, the ASC introduced the real-time Direct Hire Reporting Tool, which helps reduce the guesswork and alleviate the administrative burden associated with tracking and troubleshooting candidates throughout the hiring process. Together, these improvements are helping to reduce the time to process a direct hire from an average of 15.8 days to 10.4 days — a 34% improvement.

The ASC also processes all Manager Self-Service (MSS) transactions submitted via OneUSG Connect. The transactions, which span the employee life cycle, range from name changes to retirements. Even with a reported 12% increase in MSS transactions for the first quarter of 2023, the ASC reported a 34% reduction in denied transactions. Bragg attributes this success to a “try before you deny” approach supported by increased tracking and analytics to better understand the cases flowing through OneUSG Connect, as well as enhanced training for the ASC teams involved in hiring. As with direct hires, the ASC is seeing notable improvements in the hiring cycle time for MSS transactions, from 4.2 to 2.5 days — a 41% improvement.  

Additionally, the ASC customer service team is improving its ability to resolve customer inquiries on first contact. At launch, the team was able to successfully resolve 45% of incoming inquiries without needing to take the matter to a higher level of support. Today, the team is resolving 66% of incoming inquiries and aims to reach 85% — the industry standard — by year end.

In addition to making tangible service improvements, the ASC has also been streamlining content articles in Service-Now that are designed to address commonly asked questions and provide a better self-service experience. The ASC team has collaborated with central functional units, like GTHR, to review more than 1,500 articles and is on track to reduce the number of articles to approximately 700 by July, through updates, consolidation, and removal of duplicate content. The articles are now role-based, which helps ensure users are finding information that is most relevant to their job responsibilities.

More Services and Enhancements Coming This Summer

Looking ahead, the ASC will welcome several new teams into its portfolio and continue to position itself as the one-stop shop for other high-volume, routine administrative services and assist in retooling resources for an improved user experience. 

Beginning this fiscal year, several services in OIT will be transitioning to the ASC. This includes teams from Audio Visual, the Enterprise Service Desk, and Directory Services. The ASC team will also be collaborating with central functional units to define a clear scope of finance and research administrative functions that could be improved by a shared-services model.

GTRI’s recruiting team will also be integrated into the ASC in alignment with Tech’s overarching people-focused strategy to provide consistent HR services that support growth across all areas of the Institute — including GTRI.

In further support of this strategy, the ASC will also continue supporting GTHR in improving policies, procedures, and tools to provide greater efficiencies and transparency.

• Pay Equity Report Tool: Provide HR Partners and compensation teams with access to internal faculty and staff pay data and external candidate data for improved transparency and faster decision-making. 
• Compensation Policies: Update select Georgia Tech compensation policies to enable greater flexibility (i.e., removing approval steps) while aligning with the University System of Georgia’s requirements.
• Compensation Intake Form: Deploy an online Compensation Intake Form, which will make submitting inquiries to the GTHR compensation team more accurate and efficient.
• Performance Management @Tech: Add the Probationary Period Evaluation to the Performance Management @Tech online tool for staff, with self-evaluation and annual performance evaluations planned for fall. 
• Employee Records: Digitize the process of accessing employee files through ServiceNow requests.
• Hiring and Hosting Eligibility Determination eForms: Streamline the processing of hiring and hosting foreign national employees and affiliates.

In eight months of operation, the ASC is seeing tangible results from its efforts. Bragg added that while these initial improvements are targeted to select campus audiences, their ripple effect, and future administrative service improvements, will have a positive impact on the entire Georgia Tech community.

You are invited to explore the ASC at asc.gatech.edu.

Georgia Tech won two notable awards at the Georgia Procurement Conference, hosted by the University System of Georgia (USG) this week. This event highlights the achievements of various schools within the system and awards those who meet the strenuous requirements of their awards submissions process.

With data protection and cybersecurity in mind, the University System of Georgia mandates cybersecurity training twice per calendar year for employees at each of its 26 institutions.   

 All faculty, staff, and student employees (including GTRI employees) must complete the training. (Affiliates and employees on a leave of absence by April 3 are not required to complete the spring training.)  

Regularly occurring cybersecurity awareness training ensures that the Tech community remains vigilant, prepared, and empowered to identify cyber threats when they encounter them. Training also encourages employees to adopt practices that safeguard their information and technology from ransomware attacks and other compromises.  

“Heightened awareness and shared responsibility around cybersecurity is paramount,” said Leo Howell, chief information security officer at Georgia Tech. “We all must do our part to keep our campus safe from cyber threats. For the spring training, we will focus specifically on social engineering red flags, such as how to spot unsafe web and email addresses within a sender’s email message to prevent phishing.”

Accessing the Training  
Employees who are required to take the 2023 Spring Biannual Cybersecurity Awareness Training will receive an email on April 3, with further instructions on how to access the training. Only employees who receive this email are required to take the training.     

Due to campuswide technical issues, the deadline has been extended to Friday, April 28, to allow employees additional time to complete the training.

Employees can learn more about the training by visiting 2023 Spring Cybersecurity Awareness Training FAQs and report issues related to the training course via the Compliance Training Request Help Page. 

Learn more at:

• 2023 Spring Biannual Cybersecurity Awareness Training
• 2023 Spring Cybersecurity Awareness Training FAQs 
• Compliance Training Request Help Page

Main Programming in GLC 222

• 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: Check-in, Networking, and Birds of a Feather Tables
• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Keynote – Making things @ GT
• 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Lunch in the GLC Atrium

Break-out sessions Track #1 in GLC 222:

• 1 - 1:45 p.m.: How to get involved: Industry and Campus groups
• 2 - 2:45 p.m.: Service Now Futures
• 3 - 4 p.m.: Compliance Update
• 4 - 4:15 p.m.: Closing

Break-out sessions Track #2 in GLC 225:

• 1 - 1:45 p.m.: WebOps by Pantheon
• 2 - 2:45 p.m. Drupal Migration & Futures by MediaCurrent
• 3 - 4 p.m.: GTPD Technology Led Policing Model
• 4 - 4:15 p.m: Closing

For those attending on Teams or wishing to participate in the chat around the sessions and other out of band conversations the main Symposium team can be found here:

OneIT Symposium Team on MS Teams

Sessions will be held in channel meetings in their respective channels.

Note: There is a separate invitation for those attending in person. If you plan to be at the GLC and join for lunch, please reach out to Marissa Jules at mj@gatech.edu.

“We are excited to introduce this multifunction, shared services model for the entire campus community,” said Mike Shannon, interim executive vice president for Administration and Finance and interim chief business officer. “The Institute will experience a fundamental transformation in how we provide and receive business services at Georgia Tech.” 

The ASC is an outcome of Administrative Excellence (AdminX) – a strategic initiative that is delivering on operational excellence and providing an exceptional quality of service and customer satisfaction.  

Shannon added that the creation of the ASC is a manifestation of the Institute’s strategic plan, and this initiative is about the people of Georgia Tech and will help employees focus on the core aspects of their roles by streamlining administrative tasks.​  

Ira Bragg, executive director of the Administrative Services Center, is responsible for all aspects of designing, implementing, and overseeing the ASC. Bragg noted, “The growth and changes Tech has experienced over the past several years have created the need for a customer service-focused organization like the ASC. I’m eager to create a culture dedicated to making the many processes around campus simpler and more efficient.”

The first wave of the ASC is focused on navigating human resources activities and providing much-needed improvements to the hiring process. This is a multiyear initiative, and the scope will include transactional activities in information technology, finance, and support to research administration. 

New Processes 

What’s changing? The ASC is now the one-stop shop for onboarding activities, including BuzzCard and I-9. With the new HR service delivery model, the ASC consolidates approvals at the local unit level and, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 19, will remove many of the central office approvals.

When it comes to hiring, units will continue to follow the current process for traditional hires (i.e., candidates who need to be selected through an interview process), using OneUSG Connect Careers and submitting any requisite Manager Self-Service (MSS) transactions. ASC will work closely with the hiring manager throughout the hiring process and create the job offer transaction in Careers on behalf of the unit.  

In instances when an interview process is not required (i.e., student direct hires), the OneUSG Connect Direct Hire Form is no longer needed. Instead, units will utilize the new eRequest through ServiceNow and the ASC will use this information to complete the hiring transaction in OneUSG Connect. Units will no longer submit MSS transactions related to direct hires.  

GTRI’s Talent Management Division will submit an eRequest after recruiting a candidate via PageUp. 

For all hiring transactions, there will be early creation of the employee ID number, with the ASC submitting on the unit’s behalf. In addition, if a candidate is a foreign national, ASC will submit the applicable iStart eForms and work in conjunction with GTHR Global HR to ensure a smooth process.  

Units will continue to follow the current process (with reduced approvals) for all post-hire MSS transactions.  

New Portal 

The new ASC portal is intuitive and easy to navigate. It provides a high-quality user experience and improves searchability of HR content (job aids, knowledge articles, most viewed articles). The portal can also be used to schedule appointments, request help, and submit the new Direct Hire eRequest. This will greatly streamline the process for direct hires, including student employees.  

Portal access is role-based, displaying the most relevant information. At this time, only OneUSG Connect Level1/Level 2 approvers and provisioned initiators are authorized to submit an eRequest.  

New Location 

Effective Monday, Oct. 17, the ASC walk-up location will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, on the first floor of the building at 500 Tech Parkway, which is shared with GTHR. ASC staff will assist with the following services: 

• Onboarding paperwork and processing (e.g. Form I-9). 
• The work and documentation required for international employees. 
• Creation of BuzzCards. 
• Resolving hiring and payment issues. 
• Approval of name changes. 
• Assisting employees with questions and concerns. 

New Teams and Deliverables

HR Service Delivery  

The HR Service Delivery team, led by Laura Hessler, senior director of HR Support Services, is comprised of experienced personnel in Talent Services and Workforce Administration. This team will partner with many organizations across Georgia Tech to support hiring and onboard new hires to improve the employee experience. 

Customer Service Excellence 

Stacy Whitman, director of Customer Service Excellence, is leading a team of customer service professionals dedicated to providing live support for HR transactions and questions via phone, walk-ins at 500 Tech Parkway, and the new ASC Portal. Additionally, there will be customer relationship managers assigned to support the three largest areas on campus – academics, research, and Administration and Finance. These customer relationship managers will serve as customer advocates, identify blind spots, and work with the ASC to improve the service experience. 

Operational Excellence 

The ASC will produce integrated metrics to track, report on, and improve key performance indicators and metrics such as HR inquiries, resolution cycle times, hiring process error rate, and average time to hire. This data will be used to help make informed business decisions to improve administrative service delivery.  

With a focus on continuous improvement, this team will provide training, communications, and resources to support affected stakeholders as changes are introduced.  

The ASC team is looking forward to partnering with you. Visit adminx.gatech.edu for information to support you through this transition. You can click here to navigate the ASC and training pages for additional resources.

Data Days kicks off with a virtual fireside chat with Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Daren Hubbard, who is the executive sponsor for Data Excellence. The week follows with various virtual, in-person, and hybrid sessions covering topics from data analytics and dashboards to data governance and data protection.

The Friday symposium features Talitha Washington, director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium’s Data Science Initiative, and Phyllis Schneck, chief information security officer at Northrop Grumman, as keynote speakers. Washington is responsible for leading efforts to secure a historic $10 million National Science Foundation Grant at Clark Atlanta University, which is being used to expand data science at historically black colleges and universities. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Schneck oversees global cybersecurity strategy and policies for Northrop Grumman and is responsible for the digital security of the company’s products, services, and infrastructures.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Washington and Dr. Schneck as esteemed keynotes during our inaugural data week at Tech,” said Hubbard.

Open to the Georgia Tech community, the Friday symposium also includes a morning poster session and vendor showcase from 8 to 10 a.m. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit posters that highlight the use of data analytics or center around data security as part of the poster session.

The Data Days symposium is free and includes breakfast and lunch.

To view a full schedule of events, register for the symposium, or sign up to present a poster,  visit https://datax.gatech.edu

Open to the Georgia Tech community, the Friday symposium includes a morning poster session and vendor showcase from 8 to 10 a.m, followed by keynote speakers and panel discussions. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit posters that highlight the use of data analytics or center around data security as part of the poster session.

The Data Days symposium is free and includes breakfast and lunch.

The event features Dr. Talitha Washington, director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium’s Data Science Initiative, and Dr. Phyllis Schneck, Chief Information Security Officer at Northrop Grumman, as keynote speakers. Washington is responsible for leading efforts to secure a historic $10 Million National Science Foundation Grant at Clark Atlanta University, which is being used to expand data science at historically black colleges and universities.  A graduate of Georgia Tech, Schneck oversees global cybersecurity strategy and policies for Northrop Grumman and is responsible for the digital security of the company’s products, services, and infrastructures.

To register for the symposium, visit datax.gatech.edu/data-days/. Symposium registration ends Wednesday, October 12, at 5 p.m.

Poster sessions provide an excellent opportunity for participants to showcase expertise and innovative projects with attendees through a physical poster display. The poster session will be held from 8-10 a.m. in the Global Learning Center.

To learn more and to submit a proposal, visit datax.gatech.edu/call-for-poster-sessions/. (Proposals will be accepted through October 4.)

Learn more about Georgia Tech Data Days at datax.gatech.edu/data-days.

Georgia Tech Data Days is a weeklong series of sessions and collaborative events that center around the value, management and protection of data at Georgia Tech. A signature event of the Data Excellence initiative, Georgia Tech Data Days includes four days of interactive workshops and trainings followed by a culmination event that features keynotes, poster sessions, and live demos. 

Oct. 13: Data Management and Protection

Register for a session(s) at datax.gatech.edu/sign-up-for-a-session/. 

Learn more at datax.gatech.edu/data-days. 

Georgia Tech Data Days is a weeklong series of sessions and collaborative events that center around the value, management and protection of data at Georgia Tech. A signature event of the Data Excellence initiative, Georgia Tech Data Days includes four days of interactive workshops and trainings followed by a culmination event that features keynotes, poster sessions, and live demos. 

Oct. 12: Data Value

Register for a session(s) at datax.gatech.edu/sign-up-for-a-session/. 

Learn more at datax.gatech.edu/data-days. 

Georgia Tech Data Days is a weeklong series of sessions and collaborative events that center around the value, management and protection of data at Georgia Tech. A signature event of the Data Excellence initiative, Georgia Tech Data Days includes four days of interactive workshops and trainings followed by a culmination event that features keynotes, poster sessions, and live demos. 

Oct. 11: What is Data? 

Register for a session(s) at datax.gatech.edu/sign-up-for-a-session/. 

Learn more at datax.gatech.edu/data-days. 

Georgia Tech Data Days is a weeklong series of sessions and collaborative events that center around the value, management and protection of data at Georgia Tech. A signature event of the Data Excellence initiative, Data Days includes four days of interactive workshops and trainings followed by a culmination event that features keynotes, poster sessions, and live demos.

• Register for a session(s) at datax.gatech.edu/sign-up-for-a-session. 
• Register for the Oct. 14 Data Days Symposium at datax.gatech.edu/register-for-the-data-days-symposium. 
• Submit a poster session proposal by Oct. 4 at datax.gatech.edu/call-for-poster-sessions. 

Learn more at datax.gatech.edu/data-days. 

Brought to you by the Georgia Tech Staff Council as part of GT Cares Week.

Join us for a fun-filled day featuring interactive stations, treats, and swag giveaways as we celebrate and recognize our community for Living Our Values Every Day! 

The summit will take place virtually, over three days:

Sept. 26 - 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. ET
Oct. 3 - 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 4 - 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET

Attendees are welcome to attend all sessions on all three days, or whichever sessions work for their schedule. A detailed schedule will be provided for registrants in September.

Topics will include, but are not limited to: 

• Accessible course design and quality personalized learning; 

• Education, awareness, resources, and support for faculty development;

• Broadband and digital device access for all (take-home technology, and BYOD);

• Technology’s role, today and in the future, in creating equitable learning environments. 

The summit will include invited speakers, lightning presentations, and focus groups. The goal of this gathering is to produce a roadmap for accessible and equitable learning environments in a quasi-post-pandemic world that is highly influenced by technology. 

Learn more: https://accessibilitysummit.c21u.gatech.edu. 
Register: https://mailchi.mp/gatech/accessible-equitable-learning?e=4f755478b8. 

September 20

· 1-2 p.m.- Pointsolutions (Previously TurningPoint) and Canvas 

· 2-3 p.m.- Vocareum

Zoom meeting link: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/97523236004

Hubbard says the initiative focuses on campuswide data use and data security in university operations. 

“It’s a pretty broad-ranging initiative that focuses on both using data as a strategic asset, but also focusing a little bit of attention on its security and its applicability to institute problems, and really helping to become part of solutions as well,” Hubbard says on the podcast. 

A key part of Georgia Tech’s data-driven approach is what he calls “data democratization” which embraces the idea that everyone across the campus has a role to play in data management and use, Hubbard says.

“The philosophy of data democratization is to really make sure that each individual on the campus has some level of either awareness, depending on your role, or actual engagement with the data in a way that’s going to add value back to their purpose and their focus in this organization,” he says.

Listen to the full podcast at https://edscoop.com/radio/georgia-tech-turns-to-data-for-institutional-success/ . 

“We spent the first year laying the groundwork in many spaces and connecting with stakeholders across the Institute to understand what they wished to see come out of this effort,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “Overwhelmingly, we heard the need for access to more secure data usage tools and services. In our second year, we will mobilize a series of activities to help meet this need and build a community of practice around data at Georgia Tech.”

The Data Excellence committee will host its inaugural GT Data Days Oct. 11-14. This weeklong series of sessions and collaborative events will center around the value, management, and protection of data at Georgia Tech. The week includes three days of interactive workshops and trainings followed by a culmination event that features keynotes, poster sessions, and live demos.

Also coming this fall, the Data Excellence steering committee will introduce a comprehensive data training series as part of Georgia Tech’s Annual Compliance Campaign. This Data Excellence training combines compliance trainings for data governance, privacy, components of cybersecurity, and data services into one complete development package.

The committee has also been heavily focused on a data discovery effort, which involves a thorough review of all Georgia Tech business applications and their respective usage of Institute data. The discovery process includes cataloging and categorizing data to inform further expansion and refinement of the enterprise data warehouse, ultimately providing additional pathways for academic and business partners to access and leverage this data to inform decisions.

About Data Excellence

Guided by the Institute’s strategic plan, Data Excellence supports Georgia Tech’s objectives to be a leader in leveraging data analytic tools and processes to inform decision-making. Data Excellence also serves as an example in the protection, management, and governance of data. These objectives inform the pillars of Data Excellence — management, protection, and value — and guide the work done in the following strategic areas:  

• Customer Engagement
• Data Discovery
• Security, Privacy, and Risk
• Data Services
• Identity and Access
• System Modernization

Comprised of leaders and experts across the Institute, the Data Excellence steering committee has identified a series of projects and process changes, many required by University System of Georgia policy, to support each focus area.

For more information, visit datax.gatech.edu.

How the Process Works

Upon the creation of a new contract, amendment of an existing contract, or renewal of an existing contract, all USG institutions and organizations must ensure that suppliers (or other third parties) with access to USG data are adequately protecting that data. This protection must be at least the same level of protection provided by Georgia Tech and/or the USG and as required by policy, law, or regulation.

Georgia Tech has created an USG approved process for review by both Cyber Security and Procurement as required by the BPM. When data is shared with or can be accessed by the supplier, the departmental end user must complete the BPM 3.4.4 Supplier Contracts Assessment Intake Form and the Contract Checklist in order to satisfy USG requirements. 

What does this mean for you?

After August 1, 2022, requesters must complete a Supplier Contracts Assessment Intake Form and Contract Checklist when attempting to create or renew a supplier contract. This form will assess the supplier’s access and utilization of any Georgia Tech or USG data and ensure that any access is adequately managed and protected. All requests will be reviewed by Georgia Tech Cyber Security prior to execution. This also includes zero ($0) dollar purchases.

Please note that this new process does not replace the existing CTR (campus technology request) process. However, the Office of Information Technology is working with Cyber Security, Procurement, and other offices to review and identify ways to optimize how technology is requested across the Institute.

This Supplier Contracts Assessment Intake Form is located in ServiceNow: (https://gatech.service-now.com/home/?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=cae57d8e1bdcc55829eba8e2b24bcb2b).

“Didier brings a wealth of IT leadership and experience engaging across academic and research communities to this role,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “He has always been a strong partner to OIT and we are happy to welcome him as a permanent and integral part of our team.”

In this newly established role, Contis will provide leadership and direct supervision to the OIT’s Digital Learning, Technical Applications, and Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment (PACE) teams. Contis will report directly to Hubbard and serve as an integral part of the OIT senior leadership team.

“As both an alumnus and a proud Georgia Tech parent, I look forward to partnering with students, faculty, researchers, and staff to support the Institute in achieving its lifetime of learning, research, and innovation goals,” Contis said. “Georgia Tech has an outstanding IT community committed to being a trusted partner that empowers users. Together with my colleagues in OIT and the distributed IT community, we will expand access to services that meet the diverse and evolving needs of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff. At the same time, we will continue to reduce the digital divide by delivering human-centric, equitable, and inclusive services.”

Contis began his career at Georgia Tech in 1999 as a research engineer for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Before that, he was a network security engineer in the banking industry in France. He was the IT manager for Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 2004 to 2007 before becoming the first director of Technology Services for the College of Engineering. In this role, Contis established several partnerships with OIT and other academic units to develop new campuswide services in support of research and instruction, with a strong focus on empowering users. He has previously served as interim associate vice president for Data Strategy and Analytics and interim chief information security officer at Georgia Tech.

Contis holds a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur (bachelor’s degree) from the Ecole des Mines de Nantes-France.

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Please R.S.V.P. by August 9.

As part of this outgoing celebration, we are asking for your participation in sending messages to Kelly. She would enjoy hearing from her friends and colleagues.

Please share this widely with your team members. We look forward to seeing you next week.

We look forward to a productive partnership with faculty and instructors to ensure a successful semester. 

To request a wireless microphone for your classroom, please visit the AVS website at avservices.oit.gatech.edu/home.

If you are interested in an in-person training on classroom technology with AVS, please join us Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m., in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, auditorium room 152.

The NSF grant will fund at 100 percent a two-year project titled Promoting Research and Education at Small Colleges in the Atlanta University Center and at Tuskegee University Through Network Architecture Enhancements. Through this project, Georgia Tech, in collaboration with Southern Crossroads (SoX), will extend advanced networking services and cyberinfrastructure access to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, and Tuskegee University. The project includes a robust training and support program to ensure proper adoption and success for researchers and educators at participating institutions. The Atlanta University Consortium (AUC) Woodruff Library will benefit from network upgrades through the grant as well. 

Cas D’Angelo, OIT associate vice president and chief operating officer, serves as principal investigator for the project. He also serves as president of SoX, a Georgia Tech affiliate organization that serves nonprofit education, research, and government entities with cyberinfrastructure and global high-performance connectivity.  

“We started preparing a compelling proposal package that would demonstrate the need and value to the research community in early 2021,” said D’Angelo. “For years, we have been working to get institutions within the AUC — the oldest and largest contiguous consortium of African American higher education institutions in the U.S. — connected to the SoX regional network, given their proximity. This project provides us with that opportunity.”   

This project will also lay the groundwork for expansion to other HBCUs. 

The NSF has solicited proposals to support traditionally underserved institutions of higher education through partnerships with regional entities that have experience in high-performance research and education networking like Georgia Tech. Special emphasis has been placed on HBCUs, tribal colleges and universities, and other traditionally minority-serving institutions.    

To learn more, visit sox.net.

This month’s town hall will feature the Future of the Workspace at Georgia Tech. Jarrett Muncy, senior campus facilities planner for Infrastructure and Sustainability, and Larry Rowe, director of infrastructure and systems project management for the Office of Information Technology, will share insights on efforts to align the workspace with our evolving working styles to improve employee collaboration and engagement as well as  utilization of campus space.

In addition, we will hear some exciting news from the inaugural A&F Staff Culture Advisory Council.

About joining the meeting:

By computer: Click this link https://gatech.zoom.us/j/93579318762 to join the virtual town hall from a computer. 

• You will be asked to enter your email and name

By mobile device: Use one-tap from your mobile device by selecting one of the following numbers:

• +13017158592,,93579318762#
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International numbers available at https://gatech.zoom.us/u/acbezFueeb

The sunset date planned for Georgia Tech's use of the BlueJeans videoconferencing platform has been extended to June 14. Any recordings that are still present in BlueJeans after the new June 14 deadline will be permanently deleted. In order to provide additional support and training, the Office of Information Technology will offer office hours:

·         Wednesday, June 1, from 10 a.m - 2 p.m. 

·         Thursday, June 2, from 1 - 4 p.m.  

·         Tuesday, June 7, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

·         Thursday, June 9, from 1 - 4 p.m.

·         Monday, June 13, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Original story:

Georgia Tech will sunset the BlueJeans videoconferencing solution on Monday, May 30. Campus users are encouraged to migrate stored recordings before then.  

The BlueJeans decommission is a culmination of a review by the Video Collaboration Review (VCR) Committee. The group was established to evaluate new videoconferencing solutions for academic course delivery and collaboration against existing services. Driven by Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the committee brought in student, faculty, and staff voices from across the Institute to identify video collaboration service offerings. Ultimately, plans to sunset BlueJeans and WebEx (except for the Georgia Tech Research Institute*) were formalized. 

The VCR Committee also announced a soft launch of the Zoom video collaboration platform.

“Not only did Zoom, to a large extent, meet our committee’s criteria, but it is also one of the most widely used video collaboration tools,” Yakut Gazi, Ph.D., associate dean for Learning Systems at GTPE, said earlier this year. “Many of our students, faculty, and staff have participated in Zoom meetings during and even before the pandemic, which we anticipate will facilitate adoption at Georgia Tech.” Since the soft launch, the platform has facilitated over 2,700 meetings and webinars by Tech users. 
 
In preparation for the transition from BlueJeans, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to migrate stored lecture, meeting, and event recordings to Kaltura MediaSpace via the BlueJeans Video Exporter tool. The exporter will move a maximum of five videos simultaneously, with each video typically taking a few minutes to upload. Archived videos can take up to five hours, depending on the video’s length.  

OIT has published an 11-step illustrated knowledge article to guide campus users during the recording transfer process. Campus users who need further assistance can also submit a help request via the Services and Support site at gatech.service-now.com/home.  

In addition to Zoom, Georgia Tech will continue to offer and support Microsoft Teams, which offers videoconferencing, secure file storage, chat, meeting, calling, and file-sharing capabilities. 

OIT will work with the Georgia Tech community throughout the rest of the spring semester to prepare for the transition from BlueJeans. Upcoming communications will share additional information.  

The BlueJeans Video Exporter tool can be accessed at mover.bluejeans.gatech.edu.

*The Georgia Tech Research Institute will continue to use its version of WebEx (gtri.webex.com).

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has been preparing to sunset several legacy applications, including PeopleSoft Financials and PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM).

The new TechWorks website is available for preview through a banner on the current TechWorks site. The new TechWorks website will be automated on July 14. Access to the old TechWorks site will be available through a link on the new website until July 27, after which the new TechWorks website will exclusively run.

Legacy reports for HCM and Financials will be located on LITE. Legacy SPD reports will also be located under the Financials tab. These reports will be available on June 6.

“The current PeopleSoft Financials version is no longer supported by Oracle,” said OIT Senior Project Support Specialist David Thomas. “This move will help minimize security risks posed by an end-of-life system.”

The project team has worked with campus partners such as the Administrative Services Center, the Controller’s Office, Georgia Tech Human Resources, Grants and Contracts, OIT Enterprise Data Management, and Procurement and Business Services to help manage the change and ensure access to information.

Open office hours to provide additional support are scheduled for June 8 and June 9 at 2 p.m.

To learn more and for ongoing updates, visit oit.gatech.edu/techworksupdate.

The Office of Information Technology is pleased to announce an introduction to Zoom training session for you! 

This training session is one of many opportunities to learn more about the Zoom video conferencing solution and is open to all of campus. This session will be focused on how to start with Zoom video conferencing tool and covers:  

• How to sign into Zoom
• Difference between Zoom App and Browser
• How to install Zoom app
• How to schedule Zoom meetings through Outlook
• How to apply background filter
• How to host a Zoom meeting
• The functions of the icons at the bottom of the screen
• Brief overview of breakout rooms and polls

There is no registration required. Feel free to drop in if you are available. 
https://success.zoom.us/j/95055558230?pwd=UXJqd3hQQ2NuRWdhclNJdmJ6bEYvZz09

PLEASE NOTE: This session will be recorded. The recording link will be posted after this live session here: Zoom Training Video Recordings

Background

Georgia Tech’s Office of Information Technology will perform a data center failure simulation on the weekend of June 10 as part of its disaster recovery and preparedness plan.

The simulation will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 10, with a 24-hour test period. This test period will end at 6 p.m. Saturday evening, at which time, a recovery period will begin. The recovery period runs for 24 hours, ending at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12. Students, faculty, and staff should expect downtime and delays for Banner throughout the 48-hour test and recovery periods. 

Performing routine recovery drills is a best practice within disaster recovery planning and helps to ensure the ongoing health of mission critical technology services and organizational readiness in the case of a real disaster. Disaster recovery planning is an essential component of the Institute’s overall emergency preparedness plan and helps to:

• Minimize disruption to academic instruction and operations during a large-scale event.
• Ensure coordinated training, collaboration, and preparation among technical teams, functional owners, and communications staff.
• Ensure optimal restoration of services.
• Ensure compliance and alignment with the University System of Georgia and Georgia Tech emergency preparedness plans. 

Plans for future disaster recovery exercises are forthcoming. 

Up-to-date progress will be shared via https://status.gatech.edu during the 48-hour exercise window.

The exercise includes taking down the Banner student information system, simulating an actual outage of the service, to assess each step of the recovery process. The simulation will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 10, with a 24-hour test period. This test period will end at 6 p.m. Saturday evening, at which time, a recovery period will begin. The recovery period runs for 24 hours, ending at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12. 

Students, faculty, and staff should expect downtime and delays for Banner throughout the test and recovery periods. 

Performing routine recovery drills is a best practice within disaster recovery planning and helps to ensure the ongoing health of mission critical technology services and organizational readiness in the case of a real disaster. Disaster recovery planning is an essential component of the Institute’s overall emergency preparedness plan and helps to:

• Minimize disruption to academic instruction and operations during a large-scale event.
• Ensure coordinated training, collaboration, and preparation among technical teams, functional owners, and communications staff.
• Ensure optimal restoration of services.
• Ensure compliance and alignment with the University System of Georgia and Georgia Tech emergency preparedness plans. 

Plans for future disaster recovery exercises are forthcoming. 

Up-to-date progress will be shared via https://status.gatech.edu during the 48-hour exercise window.

Wednesday, June 8, 2 - 3 p.m.:

Microsoft Teams meeting
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 470-705-2566,,484839869#
Phone Conference ID: 484 839 869#

Thursday, June 9, 2 - 3 p.m.:

Microsoft Teams meeting
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 470-705-2566,,469442988#
Phone Conference ID: 469 442 988#

A few important notes: 

• Only the owner of the BlueJeans recording will be able to use the mover tool to migrate videos. This task cannot be delegated to another user, as the mover tool requires your GT Account to pull eligible videos to migrate. 
• If you need to download videos of an individual no longer at the institute, please submit a request here. We will work with on institutional approvals to access and download this data.
• Videos that have been migrated to Kaltura should be viewed to ensure there are no playback issues. If you experience any errors, please migrate the video again.  
• Event recordings and video clips that were uploaded to BlueJeans must be downloaded manually.

Please join us at the upcoming Career Lattice Town Hall Thursday, May 26, from 9 – 10 a.m., led by Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Skye Duckett and Vice President and Deputy Chief Business Officer Mike Shannon.  

You are invited to join this hybrid event in the SEN Theater of Price Gilbert or via Zoom. 

This Career Lattice Town Hall is part of an ongoing effort to share timely information on AdminX and the HR Transformation at Georgia Tech. 
 
The event will be recorded and posted to the AdminX MediaSpace channel for anyone who cannot attend. 

Join in to discover ways to utilize Outlook by using features to help with inbox management, intentional collaboration, and other tips and tricks. Topics to include inbox rules, signature tips, retention rules, forward email to Teams, and much more!

___________

These training classes are available in Microsoft Teams in the "Microsoft 365 Training" Team.

Instructions on how to join a public Microsoft Team

Instructions on how to add a Teams Meeting to your Outlook

Join in to discover ways to utilize Outlook by using features to help with inbox management, intentional collaboration, and other tips and tricks. Topics to include inbox rules, signature tips, retention rules, forward email to Teams, and much more!

___________

These training classes are available in Microsoft Teams in the "Microsoft 365 Training" Team.

Instructions on how to join a public Microsoft Team

Instructions on how to add a Teams Meeting to your Outlook

·         You can access Workday via wd5.myworkday.com/gatech/d/home.htmld.

·         You can access OneUSG Connect via oneusgconnect.usg.edu. 

·         Web Clocks users will need to log into OneUSG Connect via oneusgconnect.usg.edu to enter their hours.    

·         Kaba Time Clocks will be available for use but may display as “Offline.” 

·         OneUSG Connect Benefits will remain available to employees and can be accessed from the USG Faculty and Staff Portal.   

Up-to-date progress will be provided on Georgia Tech’s IT Service Status page, status.gatech.edu. After maintenance is complete, please visit services.gatech.edu to report any issues you believe to be related.

With data protection and cybersecurity in mind, the University System of Georgia requires cybersecurity training twice a year for its 26 institutions. It is highly recommended that all faculty, staff, and student employees complete this training by Friday, June 3. 

Regularly occurring cybersecurity awareness training ensures that the Tech community remains vigilant, prepared, and empowered to identify cyber threats or scams when they encounter them. Training also encourages employees to adopt practices that safeguard their information and technology from ransomware attacks and other compromises.

“This year, more than ever, heightened awareness and shared responsibility around cybersecurity is paramount,” said Leo Howell, chief information security officer at Georgia Tech. “We will focus specifically on Phishing Foundations during the first training of this year, with plans to deliver additional content this fall.”

The upcoming training will be delivered on the new KnowBe4 platform, which was recently implemented across the university system to increase access to information security employee development resources. Over time, KnowBe4 will be leveraged to provide additional training modules that support data protection, privacy, and safe data handling practices.

Access the Training

Employees will receive an email directly from the KnowBe4 training platform on Monday, May 16 (this includes GTRI employees). Starting Monday, employees can access the training directly by visiting https://security.gatech.edu/training. The training module takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Once completed, employees will receive a downloadable certificate of completion.

Please email help@training.gatech.edu to report issues related to the training course.

·         You can access Workday via wd5.myworkday.com/gatech/d/home.htmld.

·         You can access OneUSG Connect via oneusgconnect.usg.edu. 

·         Web Clocks users will need to log into OneUSG Connect via oneusgconnect.usg.edu to enter their hours.    

·         Kaba Time Clocks will be available for use but may display as “Offline.” 

·         OneUSG Connect Benefits will remain available to employees and can be accessed from the USG Faculty and Staff Portal.   

Up-to-date progress will be provided on Georgia Tech’s IT Service Status page, status.gatech.edu. After maintenance is complete, please visit services.gatech.edu to report any issues you believe to be related.