STEPS Spotlight on Rona McNeil

Rona is Technical Lead and Interim Project Manager for the Role Based Security project for STEPS and a "resource" for the other projects - as needed. 

What is your background?   
My academic background is in economics and statistics not information technology. My first job out of college was with the Federal Reserve. I ended up here in Wisconsin for graduate school. I came to Madison College from DVR where I worked as a research analyst and did their Federal reporting. I was hired by Madison College to work on our internal and state reporting projects. They intended to have me start work here in the IT department for a year or so  and then move to Institutional Research and Effectiveness once I was well versed in the systems. Of course, about that time we began our PeopleSoft implementation and the entire state reporting system had to be redone and supported so I ended up staying here and my position evolved over time. 

What goes into an “average day” for you?
As is true for most of us, there is no such thing as an average day. I usually have 5 or 6 active projects that I am working on plus a variety of adhoc inquiries so each day takes shape based on what work is most urgent. There is a lot of diversity in my projects so I get to work with people throughout the college.

How does STEPS (and what you are doing now) affect staff and students? (short term & long term):  
Most of what I do whether or not it is a STEPS project tends to be oriented around one of these questions:  How are we doing? How could we do it better? When it comes to our external reporting requirements there is also the added question of How can we do this with the least cost/impact to staff and systems but maximize our funding?  These are all very much in alignment with the goals of STEPS. The Role Based Security project that I am working on for STEPS is a perfect example. By converting to a role based system of access to our Campus Solutions systems we will be able to automate many of the processes that staff and managers must currently perform in order to get access to our student administration system which will save staff time and paper. Faculty and staff will get appropriate system access sooner enabling them to better serve students. Access to student data will be better tailored to job requirements resulting in greater security.

What is your “end goal?” for STEPS:  
Automate processes wherever possible and simplify those that cannot be fully automated in order to reduce the amount of time staff spend requesting, processing, and approving security requests. Create a role based system that will provide consistent and necessary access to our systems while reducing risk.

What is your favorite part of your job?  
It seems like there is never ending variety in what we do. Both in technology and in education change is constantly occurring offering us opportunities. Each day I have the opportunity to learn something new. 

What are some of the greatest challenges you face?  
Change, while offering opportunities also creates new challenges. We are constantly faced with the need to do more in the same amount of time. It can be a little overwhelming.

What have been some of the best (STEPS related) moments?  
Other than watching the Program Team lead the group sing along to STEPS modified holiday songs? (Laughs) I think one of the best things to come out of the STEPS projects is the new teamwork model. In addition to all of the work that has been successfully completed, I think we can be proud of the manner in which it was achieved. We’ll be able to build on this going forward.

What do you like best about Madison College?
I get to work with great people throughout the college who are dedicated to ensuring that we provide students with the best possible education opportunities. Education plays such a pivotal role in a person’s life and opportunities that its importance cannot be overstated. To be a part of that is both a privilege and a responsibility. 

What are some of your interests/hobby’s outside of work?
One of my favorite hobbies is travel. I usually get in 2 trips each year - one domestic and one international. I enjoy the prep work as much as the actual trip. Researching the destinations, planning the itinerary and the anticipation are all part of the overall experience.

Questions?
Contact cbowers1[at] madsioncollege [dot] org (Chelsey Bowers) at (608) 246-6717.