Employee Focus
Supporting Professional Growth and Recognizing Achievements within Technology Services
Technology Services is proud to celebrate the 2024 achievements of several employees who have recently earned prestigious awards, exemplifying the values of excellence, leadership and selfless service that are central to Texas A&M:
- Michael Phillips, Software Applications Developer III
Honored with the 2024 Community Engagement Award for Staff for his outstanding leadership in organizing fundraising events and community service initiatives - Kevin Bell, Software Applications Developer IV
Honored with the President's Meritorious Service Award for his 15 years of service, during which he developed systems like the tuition calculator and Epay, impacting thousands
- Jeffrey Pace, Software Applications Developer IV
Honored with the President's Meritorious Service Award for his leadership on critical projects such as CrimeLog and ORCA, as well as his mentorship of colleagues - Priya Karthick, Enterprise IT Technologist
Honored with the President's Meritorious Service Award for her work with Laserfiche technology and her leadership in process improvements
The success and professional growth of employees are central to the organization's mission. Technology Services is committed to fostering an environment where continuous learning and development are not only encouraged but integrated into daily operations. Collaboration opportunities abound, such as the Communities of Practice, which enrich staff by bringing together IT professionals with shared interests to share insights and learn from one another. New Communities of Practice are considered as the technology industry evolves.
The department also offers a range of professional development opportunities for student workers and staff to support career growth and ongoing learning. Programs like the Student IT Experience and Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program provide hands-on experience and industry certifications. For staff, initiatives such as the Technically Speaking series bring in experts to share insights on IT topics, while the Professional Development Enhancement Program (PDEP) requires employees to complete four activities annually, including courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning. These efforts foster continuous growth and a culture of lifelong learning.
Preparing Students for Competitive IT Professional Careers
As technology careers become more competitive each year, the Student Professional IT Experience Program (SPRITE) aims to provide student employees in Technology Services with a formal professional development experience, exposing them to real-world learning and training across various functional teams.
Through the SPRITE Community in Canvas, students can participate in asynchronous activities that cover the competencies employers seek in potential candidates. Student employees in Technology Services will benefit from both self-guided and supervised experiences, helping them develop the skills necessary to be competitive in IT-related careers. SPRITE also hosts Nano Talks, which are brief presentations on a variety of IT and technology topics tailored for student technicians.
SPRITE enhances students' knowledge, skills and abilities, giving them a competitive edge in the industry.
For more information, visit https://u.tamu.edu/SPRITE.
Technology Services is committed to strengthening the institution's technology through upgraded infrastructure, improved equipment and streamlined operations. By operating certain areas of IT at scale, we provide a consistent, high-quality experience across the university while advancing Texas A&M's strategic goals and maintaining our competitive edge. Focused on elevating service, empowering success and fostering innovation, the department aims to leverage emerging technologies like AI, enhance security and promote continuous learning—all while delivering exceptional customer service.