CIT Extension (CITx)

Join your colleagues for facilitated discussions on the topics of the day. Redbirds of a Feather sessions are interactive - please choose your favorite topic and come prepared to share your thoughts and experiences!

Positioning Yourself to Seize Career Opportunities

Facilitated by Derek Story and Dan Taube

Building on insights from previous CIT sessions, this open discussion explores how to navigate career growth when there isn’t a clear pathway. Together, we’ll discuss recognizing opportunities, staying present and available, and cultivating your professional brand to position yourself for advancement. Join us to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn strategies for shaping your career in an ever-evolving workplace.

• Derek Story
  Derek is currently the Director of HR Systems, Training, and Communication at Illinois State University. Prior to joining Illinois State University professionally, Derek worked in radio broadcasting and at a global staffing firm as a professional recruiter. A transplant from the Peoria area, Derek is a two-time ISU alum and a father of five.

• Dan Taube
  Dan is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Illinois State University, a role he has held since 2020. With over 20 years of experience spanning management, technical, and support roles - including self-employment - Dan understands the value of identifying opportunities and building a fulfilling career. Growing up on Chicago's southside as the youngest of five in a single-mother household, he cultivated a strong work ethic and is passionate about helping others navigate their own paths to professional growth.  

 

AI in the Wild: Current Applications Across ISU IT

Facilitated by Nathan Stien

Join your fellow IT practitioners for a candid discussion about artificial intelligence tools and techniques already at work across Illinois State's technology landscape. Share your team's success stories and lessons learned, discover how other departments are leveraging AI to solve real problems, and explore practical opportunities for expanding AI adoption in your area. This practitioner-focused session moves beyond theory to examine what's working (and what isn't) in our day-to-day IT operations. Whether you're actively implementing AI solutions or curious about concrete applications in your domain, come participate in this collaborative exploration of AI's current impact on ISU's technology ecosystem.

• Nathan Stien
  Nathan leads the Tech Solutions Integrations team, where he specializes in connecting ISU's diverse systems through custom software. He has been actively incorporating AI tools into development processes, focusing on practical applications that enhance IT operations. Nathan also fosters technical collaboration across campus through ISU Dev Club, a monthly open discussion forum for ISU IT staff. Beyond his usual integration duties, his current focus is on identifying opportunities where AI can meaningfully augment staff capabilities and solve real institutional challenges.

 

Get Started with Ansible: Automating SSL Certificates and More

Facilitated by Majeed Abu-Qulbain and Jim Johnson

Jumpstart your automation journey with Ansible by learning how to streamline SSL certificate management and other IT tasks. This session will introduce you to Ansible's core concepts through practical, real examples, helping you automate repetitive tasks with ease. Whether you're new to automation or looking to expand your skills, this discussion will provide valuable insights and actionable steps.

• Majeed Abu-Qulbain
  Majeed began work at Illinois State University as a student in 2000, transitioning to full-time staff in 2001 with the University Computer Help Desk (now the Technology Support Center). After receiving a degree in Telecommunications Management in 2004 he shifted to the UNIX systems team, where he was able to implement the full stack of server and storage hardware, virtualization, operating systems, and the applications above. He currently serves Illinois State as an Enterprise Architect and Interim CCA Manager.

• Jim Johnson
  Jim is the Lead Configuration Management Engineer in Technology Solutions on the Cloud, Compute, & Authentication (CCA) team. He is responsible for designing, configuring, and managing Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating environments, managing campus-wide configuration management toolsets (i.e., Ansible Automation Platform, Microsoft Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, and Jamf Pro) and develops Ansible playbooks to create and maintain infrastructure as code

 

The Future of Access Management

Facilitated by Joey Brown and Ben Rappleyea

Join us for a discussion on the future of Identity and Access Management at ISU.  Grouper streamlines group management, automates permissions, and enhances security across campus systems. Discover best practices and implementation strategies and how OIAM helps create a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly environment for students, faculty, and staff.

• Joey Brown
  Joey, Illinois State University's Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCISO), is a veteran security professional with decades of experience in government and commercial information systems. As DCISO, he leads a team of dedicated professionals who conduct risk assessments, manage security incidents, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Joey wants everyone at Illinois State to be safe, secure, and to stop clicking on every link they see.

• Ben Rappleyea
  Ben is the manager of the Office of Identity and Access Management (OIAM) team. He has been working with this team since 2018 and is always excited to hear about things that people are wanting to do and to see how the OIAM team might be able to help.

 

 

ISU: Cultivating Innovation Through Research, Teaching, Industry Partnerships, and Workforce Readiness

Dr. Roy Magnuson, Director of Emerging Technology, Instruction and Research

Join us to explore how ISU is leading the way in emerging technology, from developing VR training solutions for teen drivers and combating the opioid epidemic with virtual reality, to shaping AI policies and building external-facing AI curriculum. See how ISU's investment in technological infrastructure—including HPC, Cube Satellites, private 5G, and a research network with Internet2—provides a robust foundation for research and innovation. This comprehensive approach underscores ISU’s commitment to cultivating innovation through research, teaching, industry partnerships, and workforce readiness.

• Dr. Roy Magnuson
  Roy is an Associate Professor of Composition at Illinois State University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music theory and coordinates University XR Development as the Co-Director of XR@ISU. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Roy served as a Provost Fellow for the Division of Academic Affairs at Illinois State. As Provost Fellow, Dr. Magnuson assisted the Division of Academic Affairs in understanding and responding to emerging disruptive technologies like AI, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Spatial Computing. His focus was on understanding what these technologies are, as well as what they are not, while prioritizing technological literacy, pedagogy, ethics, student success, research, and creative scholarship, while preserving the university's core values. In August 2024 Roy was appointed to the position of Director of Emerging Technology, Instruction and Research in Technology Solutions to continue to expand and improve the university response to new and emerging technologies.

   

 

Get the latest IT news straight from campus technology leaders. The 2025 CIT Student MVP Award winner and nominees will also be recognized during this session.

Join your colleagues for an informal social lunch at Hacienda Leon in Uptown Normal.