Pris Sears
sears@vt.edu
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sears/
M.A. in Teaching and Learning/Instructional Technology; Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA; 2002
B.A. in English; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg,
VA; 1989
A.A. in Journalism; Okaloosa Walton Junior College, Niceville, FL; 1987
Continuing education in welding, glass-working, and computer science; 1986 -
present
6/05 to present: Systems Administrator, Department of Horticulture, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Jerzy Nowak
Responsibilities:Providing departmental systems administration and technical support. Repairing hardware and software systems; providing technical assistance and training for system users; researching, ordering, installing, configuring, upgrading and maintaining computers, software, internal hardware and external peripherals; diagnosing and remediation of hardware, software, network, and operator problems, referring major problems to vendors and CNS personnel for correction. Setting up and maintaining data backups, antivirus and firewall software. Preparing for yearly computer security audit. Maintaining departmental web site, web server log analysis. Attending technical conferences, workshops and seminars. Other responsibilities including website design and maintenance; graphic design; multimedia content creation; instructional design - design and development of instructional modules for web-based online teaching for new courses; creation and digitization of course content; liaison with CNS and the Bioinformatics Institute; support for faculty grants. Troubleshooting and maintenance of computer hardware, software, and TCP/IP networks; using a variety of software such as multimedia creation software, digital video editing software, Adobe PhotoShop and Acrobat, Macromedia Breeze, Flash and DreamWeaver, WebDrive, FTP, compression software, QuickTime, RealPlayer, Microsoft Office, web server software and Blackboard.
8/03 to 5/05: Instructor, Department of Communications, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Edd Sewell
Responsibilities: Teaching two sections of COMM 2034 (Visual Media).
Hands-on graphics and web design, semiotic theory, visual communication history,
constructivist pedagogy.
1985 to present: Freelance Artist
Working in many mediums; welding, glassworking, 2-d multimedia, 3-d multimedia,
electric bass, writing, and digital film and still media. See http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sears/art.html
and http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sears/writing.html for sample work.
8/02 to 8/03: Computer Lab Manager, Center for Instructional Technology,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Miriam Larson
Responsibilities: Maintaining Macintosh computer lab and audio/video
production lab. Installing new hardware and software. Maintaining, troubleshooting
and repairing computers. Assisting faculty, staff, and students with projects
such as digital video and audio, graphic creation, and web design.
5/01 to 8/02: "Housecalls" Technical Support, Center for
Instructional Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Krista Smith
Responsibilities: On-call, on-site, hardware and software computer technical
support for the Virginia Tech College of Education. Additional duties including
management of the Technology Enhanced Classroom and the audio/video production
lab, and hands-on, one-on-one software and hardware training for graphic design,
web design, and digital video.
2/00 to 5/01: Multimedia/Web Designer, Virginia-Maryland Regional College
of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Montez Waldron
Responsibilities: Producing and coordinating multimedia web sites for
administrators, faculty, and staff. Creating, optimizing, and editing technical
documents in an efficient, professional, and timely manner. Web design using
Macromedia DreamWeaver, Fireworks, Claris Homepage and Adobe Acrobat. Graphic
design using Adobe PhotoShop. Database design using FileMaker. Print design
using PageMaker. Setting up and administering college web and FTP servers, including
link checking, HTML validation, server backup and log processing. General technical
duties such as setting up computers and printers for network access, and adding
RAM and peripherals.
Also had duties as an Assistant Instructional Designer for the Biological Sciences
Initiative, consulting with professors regarding online teaching projects such
as Dr. Klaus Elgert's Phagocytosis module, and conducting student and professional
evaluations of teaching materials.
10/98 to 2/99 Technical Writer, Comprehensive Computer Solutions,
Christiansburg, VA
Supervisors: Larry Maccheroni and Kathleen Ryland
Responsibilities: Upgrading and creating paper and electronic documentation
for Qualltrax, a custom software package. Using Microsoft Word, FrontPage, WinEdit
and Forehelp to create and compile internal software help files, and creating
web-based versions of help files. Bug testing and Y2K testing of software.
1/97 to 4/98 Network Technician, Communications Network Services, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Supervisors: Robert Nicholson and Russ Eller, Networking Engineering; John
Nichols, Systems Engineering
Responsibilities: Maintaining and administrating the campus High Speed Modem
Pool. Programming Cisco 5200 Terminal Servers. Documenting procedures for installing
and configuring terminal server equipment. Assisting in design and implementation
of network monitoring software. Meeting, consulting and negotiating with vendors,
including Cisco Systems and USR. Attending network training seminars. Acting
as back-up programmer for the campus ROLM phone systems. Investigating, testing
and reporting on emerging technologies. Creating web-based documentation of
ongoing projects, including forms-based, Perl driven, automatic record-keeping.
Setting up for and participating in technology demos, video conferences, and
conventions. Macintosh software research, licensing and distribution. Creating
and maintaining Modem Pool FAQ. Assisting in planning for and gaining approval
for major modem pool upgrades. Co-authored Virginia Tech's winning proposal
for the Cause Award
in Excellence in Campus Networking. (http://rdweb.cns.vt.edu/~cgaylord/cause.html/)
10/94 to 12/96 Webmaster, Drug Information Laboratory, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Dr. Jeff Wilcke
Responsibilities: Webmaster for the Food and Drug Administration Center
for Veterinary Medicine (FDA CVM). [The FDA has since taken this web site over;
it can be found at http://www.fda.gov/cvm/
and is considerably different that it was when it was maintained at Virginia
Tech.]
Working closely with the FDA CVM to design and implement a very successful,
comprehensive web site with information for veterinarians, pharmaceutical companies,
and consumers. Training student and classified employees in computer and Internet
use, and HTML markup. Interacting with public via e-mail, answering or redirecting
questions. Investigating, evaluating, and implementing web server software and
hardware. Processing and publishing monthly web log files. Converting hundreds
of documents to HTML. Assisting in monthly and yearly publication of the paper
and electronic journal "FDA Approved Animal Drug Products." Maintaining a database
of subscribers to lab-published materials.
Sat on editorial board for the book WWW: Beyond the Basics, (http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~wwwbtb/book/index.html) and authored Chapter 13, "HTML Origins, Owners, Good Practices." (http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~wwwbtb/book/chap13/index.html)
1992 to 10/94 Administrative Assistant, Drug Information Lab, College
of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Talbot
Responsibilities: Database administrating, data entry, and clerical
assistance. Learning to use the Internet and HTML, assisting in the creation
of the College of Veterinary Medicine web site. Helping the lab apply for
and be awarded a contract to create a web site for the FDA Center for Veterinary
Medicine. (Competed for and was awarded a full time webmaster position for
this project (see next job description)).
Used early web technology to convert the print Journal of Veterinary Medical Education to electronic format. (http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JVME/index.html)
Professional and Community Groups and Activities
References available upon request.