Volume 4 Issue 1
September - October 2007
Welcome from CISMO President
Kelvin Green
A Rattler welcome from the Department of Computer and Information Sciences Mentoring Organization (CISMO). CISMO provides incoming students within the Department of Computer and Information Sciences with a vital support system that will allow their transition into the University to be stress-free through encouragement, direction, and coordination in critical areas such as academics, administrative services, and the basic college lifestyle. CISMO is determined not to leave any student behind, leaving a permanent impression on the lives of our students. Just imagine, “if only everything in life were as reliable as CISMO.” I would like to introduce to you to CISMO’s Executive Board members: Vice President – Mr. Alexander Anderson; Treasurer – Mr. Justin Jones; Secretary – Ms. Tasha Davis; Historian – Ms. Erin Henry; Webmaster – Mr. Jermaine Stewart; Chairman of Community Service – Ms. Osedra Siler; Chairman of Fundraising – Ms. Jasmine Harris; Director of Compliance – Mr. Jude Desti; Director of Member Relations – Ms. Kenya Farmer; Director of Communications – Ms. Tierra Jennings-Hill; Director of Social Events – Mr. JeRone Gant; and Librarian – Edwina Jacobs. CISMO advisors are Ms. Julia Jones and Mr. Thomas Robinson. On behalf of CISMO and the executive board, we hope everyone will have a fun-filled, productive, stress-free, and safe semester. We hope you have a good semester at Florida A&M University (FAMU), filled with good grades, increased GPAs, scholarships, and internships. If there is one organization that you should join, CISMO is the one! If CISMO can help you in anyway or if you would like to become a member of CISMO, please email cismo@cis.famu.edu, or visit us at www.cis.famu.edu/~cismo . May you catch the Rattler fever while at Florida A&M University and excel in all areas of academia. In the words of our former President Frederick Humphries Strike! Strike! and Strike! again until you achieve your ultimate goal.
CIS 40th Anniversary
Ms. Barbara Black 1967-2007: 40 Years of Nurturing IT Innovators Kickoff Celebration Barbeque and Open House – November 2nd 1:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M. Benjamin Banneker Building A 1333 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL FREE! Join us as we launch our year long 40th anniversary celebration with a Barbeque and Open House immediately following the Homecoming Convocation. Prior to the Barbeque/Open House event, we will to have our first batch of T-Shirts. Updates on the T-Shirts and the event will be posted on the website, and around the building. So stay alert and informed. Volunteers are needed in different capacities on the day of the Kickoff. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ms. Black at bblack@cis.famu.edu or (850) 412-7361 40th Anniversary Banquet – April 11, 2008 Leon County Civic Center Guest Speaker: TBA We will conclude our year-long celebration with a formal event. The elegant evening will begin with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and entertainment from our very own FAMU Jazz Ensemble. During the event we will look back on the first 40 years, present strategies for the future of the program and award accomplished CIS alumni. You don’t want to miss this evening of celebration and fun. Visit the CIS webpage for updates on all celebration events, www.famu.edu/cis. (See CIS 40th Anniversary on page 2)
CIS Website Has a New Face
CIS website has been given a make-over, compliments of Ms. Christy Chatmon and Mr. Marko Skarica. The website is easy to navigate and has the FAMU appeal. If you have suggestions on how to improve the website to better serve you, please forward your ideas to Ms. Chatmon at cchatmon@cis.famu.edu. To view this beautiful new website go to: www.famu.edu/cis.
Kelvin Green
Kelvin Green CISMO President
CIS 40th Anniversary
Continued from page 1 Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series The Distinguished Alumni Series will run throughout the 20072008 school year. CIS alumni who have distinguished themselves through lifetime achievement and professional accomplishments are invited to participate in the lecture series.
the research opportunity on your resume. You can use the experience for future job opportunities or graduate school. Invest in your future with research opportunities.
ACM Workshops
To assist CIS majors with personal and technology enhancement, ACM is offering the following workshops: • Web Design, Tuesday, November 20, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Teaching Lab (Basement, Room 24) conducted by Ms. Chantel Bowie • Interviewing Techniques: How to Sell Yourself in 3Minutes, November 7, 2007, 5:00 p.m., (2nd Floor, Room 201) conducted by Ms. Osedra Siler
Help!!!
The Department needs your help in planning its 40th Anniversary and in acquiring information and artifacts from the past to complete our history. Our planning/progress meetings are scheduled for Wednesdays, at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room (314) in Benjamin Banneker Technology Building A. Please join us.
The Vision
The Vision is a student organization formed to bring about positive changes within the CIS department. It comprises ten students, one faculty member and the chairman. If you are innovative, selfmotivated, and have the determination to see projects to the end, the Vision is looking for you. If you are a junior or senior and are interested in becoming a vision member, please submit your resume to vision@cis.famu.edu.
The Career Center/ Career Fair
The Career Fair is sponsored by FAMU’s Career Center. The Career Center assists in the fulfillment of the primary mission of FAMU, namely, to prepare and provide opportunities to pursue meaningful careers in a variety of professional and occupational fields, including graduate studies. The Career Center invites companies to Tallahassee, giving FAMU students an opportunity to meet corporate America. The companies come together at the Career Fair. They bring with them future job and internship opportunities and neat paraphernalia. The Career Fair is held each semester during the Fall and Spring. CIS students should take advantage of career opportunities by signing up at the Career Center. Throughout the year, companies are given your information by the Career Center which leads to exciting interviews. Remember to keep your information at the Career Center and online up-to-date. This will keep you alert and informed on future internships and jobs opportunities of companies that are a part of the Career Center.
Professional Development Center Mrs. Barbara Black, Director
The Professional Development Center (PDC) has been active recruiting companies just for you. Are you prepared to take advantage of the job/internship opportunity presented to you? If you would like to have your resume reviewed prior to going on interviews, please forward your resume to Mrs. Barbara Black, Room 304, TEC-A, bblack@cis.famu.edu or you may call her at (850) 412-7361 for more information.
Attitude
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thing we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes." Charles Swindoll Normally, one can identify a person who will make it without setbacks or a person that will struggle to make it just by their attitude. Some individuals adopt a poor attitude because that is
Research Opportunities
Are you interested in doing research? Did you know that there are paid research opportunities available to you? The department offers paid research opportunities to its students. It’s simple: • Contact the professors; • Ask the professor about their research; • Decide which research opportunity best suits you; and • Do the research. Congratulations, welcome to the wonder benefits of having a research opportunity. You may place
their way of "conforming to the world." There are those who adopt self-defeating attitudes such as: “I can’t…” I won’t…” “I hate…” Then, there are those individuals that turn every negative aspect into a positive aspect: “I know I have a short period of time, but I can do it.” “This is hard, but I will do my best.” “I have to study for a test, complete my homework, write a paper …, but if I prioritize my work and not go to the movie I can complete it all.” These individuals are the ones that usually succeed in life. Some may ask “Is it easy?” and the answer is “No”. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work to change. Believe it or not, you are in control of your feelings. People, places and/or things do not have to determine ones attitude. You control how you are going to react or not react to a certain situation. Once you decide, I am going to have a positive outlook on life, life will be so much easier. In doing so one will have better overall health and can effectively address major challenges. Now, let us turn those frowns upside down and live a long healthy life by having a positive attitude. Ten ways to "change your attitude and change your life," by Jim M. Allen:
Think like you want to be - It's tough to be happy, joyful, successful, etc., if you don't think that you are a happy, joyful, and successful person. Think it first, then do it! 2. Smile - There's no arguing with this one -- research has shown the smiling has both psychological and physiological effects. So, put a smile on your face and you'll be on your way to a change in attitude! 3. Immerse yourself -Read books, articles, magazines that help you understand and adopt the new attitude. Watch films or listen to music that inspires you and encourages you to change. 4. Change your actions - It's hard to change your attitude if you keep doing the same old stuff the same old way. Do things differently to start thinking differently. 5. Change your environment - Make your environment reflect the attitude you wish to have. Create the physical space that makes you eager to change. 6. Follow the leader - Find someone who already has the attitude you wish to have. Follow their lead, learn from their example. 7. Help others (and help yourself) - One of the fastest ways to change your attitude is to take the focus off yourself and to help others in need. 8. Get a little help from your friends - Let everyone know what you're doing and enlist their support to help you change and give you ideas. The more you feel like you're part of a group effort, the more likely you are to be successful. 9. Get a pro - If the change you desire to make is a big one or is extremely radical, consider getting the help of a mentor, counselor, or coach. These professionals can reduce the time and frustration involved as well as provide you with many new ideas to help you grow. 10. Be patient - Recognize that most changes occur slowly, over an extended period of time. If you don't get immediate results, don't be surprised and DON'T QUIT! Keep working, it'll come. 1.
You Are Cordially Invited to Join CIS Clubs
ACM Club The ACM club is an organization that represents the CIS student body. It is FAMU’s student chapter of the internationally recognized Association for Computing Machinery. The ACM Club provides CIS majors the opportunity for advancing in the Arts, Sciences, and Information Technology through skills building workshops, seminars, news bulletins, community services, and career opportunities. To become a member of the ACM Club contact the club President Chantel Bowie at acm@cis.famu.edu. CISMO The function of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences Mentoring Organization (CISMO) is to provide incoming freshmen with a vital support system through upper-classmen that will facilitate their transition into the University by providing encouragement, direction, and coordination in critical areas such as academics, administrative services, and the college lifestyle. To become a member of the CISMO contact the club President Kelvin Green at cismo@cis.famu.edu
ing for a Faculty Member?
Faculty (Teaching
and *Non-Teaching)
Phone 412-7359 412-7354 412-7352 412-7353 412-7659 599-3964 412-7360 599-8899 599-3022 412-7357 412-7362 412-7350 412-7351 561-2296
Room 310A 211B 211A 211B 211C 312 310B 300 307 310B 104 207 211B 104
Email allen@cis.famu.edu jblack@cis.famu.edu uchandra@cis.famu.edu cchatmon@cis.famu.edu hchi@cis.famu.edu evans@cis.famu.edu granvill@cis.famu.edu marion.harmon@famu.edu ejones@cis.famu.edu msjones@cis.famu.edu cnowicki@cis.famu.edu prasad@cis.famu.edu kriggs@comcast.net trobinson@cis.famu.edu
Allen, Clement Black, Jason Chandra, Usha Chatmon, Christy Chi, Hongmei Evans, Deidre Granville, Bobby Harmon, Marion Jones, Edward Jones, Julia* Nowicki, Chris Prasad, Bhanu Riggs, Ken Robinson, Thomas Staff Hairston, David Myra Gurley McDonald, Doug Wilson, Harvey
599-3222 599-3042 412-7662 599-3222
021 308 302 021
dhairsto@cis.famu.edu mgurley@cis.famu.edu dmcdonal@cis.famu.edu harvey@cis.famu.edu
For more information visit Jim M. Allen’s website at http://www.coachjim.com/articles/changeattitude.html
Tutors
Tutors are now available to assist you. Free of charge! They are set-up on the 1st Floor in the Sun Room. Please take advantage of this opportunity provided by the NSF HOMMER grant (Award #CNS-0424556) to raise your GPA. Schedules are posted on the bulletin boards and the CIS website at www.famu.edu/cis. If you would like to be a tutor, contact Dr. Deidre Evans, Room 312, Benjamin Banneker Technology Building “A” (TECA).
DAY Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Justin Jones
TIME 11:00 – 1:00 1:30 – 3:30 11:00 – 1:00 1:30 – 3:30 11:00 – 1:00
Fall 2007 Tutors Tutors Anderson DuBose Jennings-Hill Jones Lawrence Pierre-Louis Discrete X X X X X Fund Prog X X X X X X Data Stru X X X X X Concepts X X X X Kevin Lawrence JAVA
DAY Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
TIME 11:00 – 2:00 12:30 – 2:30 11:00 – 1:30 12:30 – 2:00 11:00 – 12:00
DAY Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Alex Anderson
TIME 11:30 - 1:30 12:15 3:15 11:30 - 1:30 12:15 3:15
DAY Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Raymond Pierre-Louis
TIME 11:00 - 1:00 12:30 – 2:30 11:00 - 1:00 12:30 – 2:30 11:00 - 1:00
DAY Monday Tuesday Wednesday Rodney DuBose Thursday
TIME 10:00 – 1:00 2:30 – 4:30 12:30 – 3:00 10:00 – 1:00 2:30 – 4:30 12:30 - 3:00
DAY Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Tierra Jennings-Hill
TIME 9:00 – 10:00 11:00 – 12:00 1:00 – 3:00 9:00 – 10:00 11:00 – 12:00 1:00 – 3:00 9:00 – 10:00 11:00 – 12:00