Personnel

One of the real challenges to distance learning is staffing. While technology makes new opportunities “possible,” it takes highly trained professionals to make a successful experience “probable.” As we participate in distance learning projects and planning around the state, one fact becomes very clear – many of us are spending most of our limited financial resources on equipment without matching investments in expertise. This is due, in part, to the fact that many granting agencies structure their awards to place great emphasis on technology, by which they mean equipment and linkages. Successful awardees often find that, in the absence of qualified, available personnel to train and maintain these systems, the benefits they expected are rarely if ever realized. However, many who do attempt to invest in distance learning professionals find a lack of qualified applicants, difficulty in keeping these persons trained, and work flow conflict as their organization increasingly pulls these professionals away to work on other, non-DL technology support.

NETnet has met and answered the staffing challenge. Rather than replicating expenses, efforts, and individuals at multiple institutions, create instead a small, highly-motivated staff of trained individuals at a central location where they have easy access to their colleagues and to necessary resources. Share these individuals among several member institutions by focusing them on specific, complex projects of consensus interest. Allow the staffing Director to assign personnel resources to projects at individual institutions where a best-practice or new method may be researched, but also allow the Director to protect personnel resources from being reallocated to the detriment of shared objectives. Give staff members “ownership” of his or her respective area and make certain they have the resources necessary to do the job well. We know that all of this takes time, structure and a level of consensus agreement that is painstakingly hammered out meeting by meeting. But the NETnet organization and staff is proof of one other fact – it does work.

Curriculum Design Specialist

Areas of Specialization

• Faculty training plans and services
• Assessment of various learning technologies in specific teaching environments
• Models for course collaboration and student services
• Guidance for transitioning traditional courses to multiple delivery methodologies

DAVID NICHOLS, CCNA – Senior Network Analyst; Data Networks

Areas of Specialization

• Network equipment – routers, switches, hubs, servers, testing
• Network applications – IP routing, security, domain name services, ATM transport
• Network plant – copper, fiber, coax, wireless
• Wide area network connectivity – circuits, aggregation, WAN-LAN linkages

GORDON MARTIN – Senior Network Analyst; Video Networks

Areas of Specialization

• Video/audio distribution systems, conference scheduling, and conference operations
• Advanced electronic installation, maintenance and repair
• Network plant – copper, fiber, coax, wireless
• Wide area network connectivity – circuits, aggregation, WAN-LAN linkages

DARLENE FLOURNOY – Administrative Specialist

Areas of Specialization
• Primary point of contact for all NETnet inquiries and communications
• Coordinating Office operations and support to other NETnet personnel
• Routes requests for services or information to appropriate resources
• Financial billing, reporting and account management

JANA BROWN – Video Conference Scheduling and Coordination

Areas of Specialization

• Video conference scheduling and conference coordination
• Conference systems monitoring and support
• Communications management including telephone and email coordination
• After-hours technical and systems support contact

MICKEY SLIMP, Ed.D. – Executive Director

Areas of Specialization

• Development activities to increase collaboration between member communities
• Funding administration of appropriations, grants, and other resources
• Supervision of staff, activities, and services of Coordinating Office
• Project management and technology planning