Alex Portillo, Communications Specialist I, Network Services

By Wade Moricle | May 10, 2019

Alex Portillo is an avid skateboarder and plays rhythm guitar and bass for a local band.

Alex Portillo (pronounced por-TEE-yo) was hired this year as a communications specialist I. This is not his first association with LITS, as he worked as a communications contractor for three years with ATS Communications.

Born in Lawrenceville, GA, Alex has a communications installer certification and is working on his BICSI advanced communications certification.

Away from the job, Alex is an avid skateboarder and plays rhythm guitar and bass for a local band.

“This whole team is great to work with,” says Alex. “The work has met my expectations.”

You can reach him at miguel [dot] alexander [dot] portillo [at] emory [dot] edu.

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Dwain Smith, Project Manager, PMO

By Wade Moricle | May 10, 2019

“I love my new position and the people are amazing.” – Dwain Smith

Dwain Smith is the newest project manager working in the Project Management Office (PMO). Previously, he worked as a PM for two years at Dekalb Medical/Emory Healthcare. Dwain also spent twelve years as a senior installation/service technician and 2.5 years as an operations manager.

Born in Macon GA, and raised in Hazlehurst, GA, Dwain is currently working on obtaining his PMP certification. Dwain is a national champion in SkillsUSA telecommunications, competing in 2005.

For fun, Dwain enjoys the outdoors, where he kayaks, fishes and camps, often with his rescue dog Bozley. He is also a Braves fan.

“I love my new position and the people are amazing,” says Dwain. “Everyone has made me feel really welcome.”

You can reach him at dwain [dot] smith [at] emory [dot] edu.

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LITS recent headlines and upcoming events

By Wade Moricle | May 10, 2019

Headlines & Events graphic banner

Recent LITS headlines:

Upcoming LITS events:

(go HERE for more information for each event)

  • May 14 – Event: LEAP!, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Cox Hall Ballroom, Cox Hall
  • May 14 – Event: LITS Game Day, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Computing Center at Cox Hall
  • May 16 – Event: IT Briefing, 10:15 am – noon, Room 208, Convocation Hall
  • May 17 – Event: STAFF FEST, Quad, all day
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Zoom Rooms changing the way Emory conducts business

By Wade Moricle | May 3, 2019

The LITS Zoom Administration Team, which is a collaboration between LITS Messaging and ClassroomTech, recently announced the opening of six new Zoom Rooms in various locations around campus.

“Zoom Rooms are a relatively new standard that LITS wants employ across Emory’s meetings spaces,” says Jason Brewer, academic technology specialist in ClassTech. “The goal is to take Zoom’s infrastructure to make our AV spaces easier to use, more sustainable from a cost perspective, and more standardized functionally.”

“The Zoom Rooms are easily integrated with laptops and smart devices and can be controlled and shared wirelessly,” adds Jose Holguin Cruz, academic technology specialist in Messaging. “Both the camera and the screen can be controlled, even with an iPad that you can pass around.”

Zoom is the primary functionality in the Zoom Room space, with a PC running a specially-licensed Zoom Room client. However, the rooms are designed for bring-your-own-device capability, allowing users to wirelessly share any screen.

One of the sustainable advantages to the Zoom Rooms is that they can easily integrate or bypass existing AV infrastructure. Converting a space to a Zoom Room offers significant cost reductions versus old standards of AV.

The new Zoom Rooms are:

North Decatur Building

  • 205 (Skidaway)
  • 305 (Sweetwater)
  • 502 (Red Top)
  • 505 (Savannah)
  • 524

Woodruff Library

  • 316 (Admin Suite)

Additional rooms are coming soon to the 1762 and 1599 buildings.

According to Dana Haggas, Director of Enterprise Applications, “The use of Zoom is definitely growing on both the academic and administrative side at Emory. We hosted a training session with our core users in 1599 to cover the functionality of using the Zoom Rooms. At this point 70% of my meetings are held in Zoom.”

Haggas also points out how Zoom is easy to use and allows her team to leverage alternative work schedules. “I like to see people when I talk to them and this tool allows me to see their faces. My preference is to be in the room but Zoom is the next best thing. It has made my day more efficient by reducing travel time around campus.”

If you are interested in learning more about Zoom, Zoom Rooms or Video Conferencing, consult with Video Services:  videoservices [at] emory [dot] edu. You can also learn more about Zoom at https://support.zoom.us.

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Walk with a Leader offers conversational opportunities with leadership

By Wade Moricle | May 3, 2019

Walking to the intramural fields with Rich. L to R: Rich Mendola, Ramya Bommareddy, Seema Sharma, Andrew Chin, and Dawn Francis-Chewning.

Who knew Rich Mendola walks at such a brisk pace?

For the past few weeks, LITS employees have enjoyed the chance to get in some steps while chatting with leaders throughout the division. The campaign was organized by the LITS Wellness Committee to coincide with the final days of the Emory Move More Challenge.

Walking in Lullwater with Dana. L to R: Ramya Bommareddy, Joanna Green, Seema Sharma, Madhuban Chaudhary, Dana Haggas, and Maria Flowers-Brooks.

“We wanted to give people a chance to have casual conversations with our leaders while exercising in the beautiful spring weather,” says Jay Flanagan, one of the event organizers. “What could be better than exercising while getting to know our bosses?”

Leaders who participated in the walks were Yolanda Cooper, John Ellis, Sandra Franklin, Joanna Green, Dana Haggas, Jennifer King, James Leonard, Rich Mendola, Wayne Ortman, and Marc Overcash.

Walking near NDB with Marc. L to R: Debbie Gray, Kat Boushell, Camille Hyatt, Dawn Francis-Chewning, and Marc Overcash.

Walks included areas around the Quad, the Lullwater Preserve, the intramural fields, and the North Decatur Building.

“The group sizes were between 6 and 12 per session, which gave everyone a chance to really chat while they walked” says Meaghan O’Riordan, the LITS Wellness Committee chair. “We plan to do this again next year.”

Adds Jay, “The Wellness Committee is thrilled that so many of our LITS Leaders chose to participate in the event. The fact that they engaged, allowed the employees to engage with them.”

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Alloy release party spotlights student expression and engagement

By Amelia Frances | May 3, 2019

Open mic poetry reading in the Computing Center at Cox Hall.

On April 19, around fifty students gathered in the Computing Center at Cox Hall for the Alloy Release Party. Alloy is a student-run literary publication featuring poetry, prose, artwork, and photography. Students’ voices echoed through the back gallery as they shared new pieces from the issue. Half a dozen students even stepped up for an open mic session.

“To hear those pieces in the authors’ own voices was incredible,” remarked Kelly Doyle (19C), Alloy’s Editor in Chief.

Copies of the issue were available for the first time, and an accompanying Computing Center exhibit was debuted. The event was sponsored by the Computing Center to support student expression and engagement. Last fall the organization was featured in the Center for the first time, after Amelia Frances reached out to the group.

“For all of us on staff, it was so rewarding to speak with the creators of works we’ve spent the whole year talking about and getting to know,” Kelly said. “It was really wonderful bringing together those who create the magazine, those who produce the works, and those who read it.”

The latest exhibit highlights sixteen written works and four visual pieces. Exhibits in the space strive to represent student voices and foster a sense of community on campus. Alloy will be on view through September 2019. The Computing Center is open for the summer Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm starting May 20. Stop by and check out the student works!

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Study Abroad Photo Contest held in Computing Center at Cox

By Wade Moricle | May 3, 2019

Megan Johnston won first place in her category for this leopard photo called “Pride in Their Eyes.”

The 11th Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest was held last month in the Computing Center at Cox Hall. The Cox Hall team curated dozens of amazing student photographs, which are on display in a variety of categories.

These students all studied abroad during the spring, summer, or fall of 2018 and the photos were taken along their travels. The exhibit will be on display for about a year.

Amelia Frances, the computing center coordinator, led the effort to curate the exhibit. The categories this year were A Different Perspective, The World as Your Classroom, and Culture & Customs. Students submitted photos to match one of these topics.

According to Jessica Mrase, the coordinator of the contest and a study abroad advisor, “We were so impressed by the quality of the photos and the adjoining captions this year.” A group of judges from across campus, which included students, faculty, and staff, voted on the winners. Over 60 photos were entered into the contest.

Morgan Brandewie’s  overall-winning photo, “Perito Moreno Glacier”

Morgan Brandewie, Argentine studies, was the overall winner with her photo of the Perito Moreno Glacier from the Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina. “This glacier is unique because it is the only one in the world that is expanding rather than receding,” says Morgan.

“This competition brings a sense of community to the computing center,” says Amelia.

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