NACTEL Program
The NACTEL Program had a very successful year. The AS in Telecommunications degree continues to attract many hundreds of individuals from Verizon, Qwest, SBC, Citizens, the IBEW and CWA. In addition, the number of students pursuing the accelerated BS in Telecommunications degree continues to grow. As well, the new AS concentration in Network Technologies began during the 2004 - 2005 year, and currently has over 150 students pursuing this degree. Eighty students are expected to graduate in May 2006, and fifteen of them will travel to Radio City Music Hall for the graduation ceremony.
All three degrees are offered by the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems fully online to individuals who are located throughout the United States . The students all are working adults, and tend to go to school ?nytime, anywhere?that works well for them.
One of the NACTEL graduates, David Furey, from IBEW Local 827, stated that "My co-workers and employers have noticed a difference in me - completing this program gave me confidence and a sense of pride." Another graduate, Dale Williamson, remarked that "This program has given me the chance to aspire, and to know that I can do anything I set out to do." And Betty Ashley said "I never thought I'd be able to get a college degree...it's been a dream come true." Michael Davison, from Verizon IBEW 827 stated: The online courses were a lot easier for me than going to a traditional college class... There wasn't a lot of pressure and we had one solid week to get the assignments done. The Pace instructors were very helpful . In keeping with Pace University 's motto of Opportunitas , Alex Gabler, from Verizon IBEW 827 told us that " Without access to the Pace NACTEL program and the support of Verizon, I would never have been able to achieve my lifelong dream of a higher education." Dana Earl Bruno supported (also from Verizon and from IBEW 1431) this when she stated: " I loved that I could start this program and know that I was going to be able to finish."
More information about NACTEL degrees, the AS in Telecommunications, the AS in Networking Technologies and the BS in Telecommunications, is located at: http://csis.pace.edu/nactel
THE ANNUAL AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE IN TECHNOLOGY RECEPTION
For the past 10 years, the school has presented a Leadership and Service in Technology Award annually to an individual who best exemplifies leadership in the field of technology, innovation in the development and application of technology to serve people, and commitment to community service and education. Support for the event comes predominantly from the corporate community in New York City and Westchester and is generated through the aggressive efforts of CSIS Advisory Board members. The award is traditionally presented at a reception held at a well-known corporate venue and the proceeds of the event support the CSIS Endowed Scholarship Fund as well as other new initiatives. CSIS Advisory Board member Judith Spitz of Verizon Communications, Inc., served as event chair.
The 2005 award went to Shaygan Kheradpir , CIO of Verizon Communications, Inc. who spoke on "The New and Innovative Role of the CIO." The event, which was held at American Express headquarters in lower Manhattan , generated $143k.
