Spectrum - Volume 20 Issue 33 June 18, 1998 - University to offer information technology

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

University to offer information technology

By Catherine Doss

Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 33 - June 18, 1998

Virginia Tech will offer a graduate program in information technology starting in fall 1998. A proposal for the program was reviewed at the first meeting of the university's newly formed Northern Virginia Information Technology Council recently.
The proposal includes both a master's degree and a certificate program in information technology to be delivered via Net.Work.Virginia, the state's broadband-asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) network. Courses will either originate from the university's Northern Virginia Center or from the Blacksburg campus.
The graduate program is unique in that it is a joint effort between the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Pamplin College of Business. It is targeted to the working professional with a degree in engineering, science, or business. The program was developed in response to various studies that indicate a need for workforce training in information technology. A recent Virginia Tech study of industry professionals in Northern Virginia indicated a vital need for graduate courses and degree programs in areas such as software, computer networks, communications, and the business aspects of information technology.
The Northern Virginia Information Technology Council, chaired by Senior Vice President and Provost Peggy S. Meszaros, was formed to establish a cohesive decision-making body for program ideas, operational issues, and resource needs as the university expands its information-technology offerings, particularly in the Northern Virginia region.
The council consists of Robert Bates, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Rich Sorenson, dean of the Pamplin College of Business; William Stephenson, dean of the College of Engineering; Earv Blythe, vice president for information systems; David Ford, vice provost for academic affairs; Len Peters, vice provost for Research and Graduate Studies; Dixon Hanna, interim vice provost for Outreach; Judy Pearson, director of the Northern Virginia Center; and Sam Rankin, director of information-technology programs at the Northern Virginia Center.
The council will meet six times a year and will consider ideas and proposals generated by a soon-to-be-named working committee to be chaired by Rankin.