This Shout Out goes out to Scott Stevens, Dean of the Division of Information Technology and Sciences (ITS). Previously, he was a Professor of Mathematics and the Mathematics Coordinator at Champlain College, and before that, he was a research mathematician with a focus on programming and using technology and software to model complex biomedical systems.
Stevens sees the ITS Division and Champlain College as a regional focal point for the creation, utilization, and distribution of technical skills needed to thrive in today’s economy: “I believe we need to harness the full power of technology to understand and solve problems that would otherwise be impossible to resolve. It transforms the way we work, interact, learn, and play in the world around us.”
To go along with this effort to engage our students and the greater community with technology, Stevens told us he was especially excited about two events that the ITS Division hosted over the past year or so.
On September 15, 2018, Champlain College held the 10th Annual Vermont Code Camp 2018. It was an entire day of free tech-related programming for students and regional professionals. The previous year, more than 250 people attended and the 2018 audience was even bigger. With 35 talks ranging from “Artificial Intelligence for Everyone” to “An Introduction to Blockchain,” there was something for everyone looking to enhance their technological prowess.
And in March of 2019, Champlain hosted the 2019 Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. This event brought together ten highly talented teams from seven states in a nail-biting competition against a Red Team of professional hackers. The winning team represented our region at the National Championships. The Champlain College team has qualified and competed each of the past eight years.
Stevens says, “By hosting this event, we aim to highlight Champlain’s historically strong Computer Networking & Cybersecurity program and elevate Vermont’s status as a hub of cybersecurity expertise in education and industry. These two events show how we’re committed to our students and the community at large as we navigate and lead the way through this ever-changing world of technological challenges and opportunities.”
Want to find out more about the Division of Information Technology & Sciences? Come visit Champlain College and see it for yourself!
