SUNY Erie Community College’s (ECC) Information Technology Program was recently honored as the Best Tech Team in Non-Profit/Education by InfoTech WNY as part of the organization’s annual Buffalo Emerging Technology Awards Showcase (BETAS) at Buffalo RiverWorks in May 2017.

“This award is exciting news for a program that’s been thriving for years,” said ECC President Jack Quinn. “Its faculty and staff have done a tremendous job in preparing our students for technology careers across Western New York, so this acknowledgement is deserved, and much appreciated.”  

Competing in a category that included fellow nominees BlueCross BlueShield, PMI Buffalo, local fundraising software developer WeDidIt, and University at Buffalo’s Department of Electrical Engineering, ECC’s Information Technology Program and its work with career-focused students earned the BETA. The award—distributed annually through a dozen technology-focused categories—recognizes and celebrates WNY's organizations and individuals that set the standard for technological innovation and implementation, workplace culture, and industry activism.

Formed in 1998, InfoTech WNY is a rapidly growing consortium of multi-sized software, hardware, and telecommunications companies; government and economic agencies; and educational institutions that address various industry-specific issues such as workforce availability, industry image, technology transfer, networking, financing, and new business development. 

ECC’s A.A.S. in Information Technology is a seated and online degree that provides students with the skills needed to succeed in today's digital world; the degree empowers each with the perspective of information technology, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, knowledge of data design and data management principles, and knowledge of basic programming and computer logic principles. These skills equip students with the foundation needed to advance through the program, and eventually specialize in fields like cybersecurity, management information systems, networking, or Oracle Academy database programming.

During the first year of study, Information Technology program students will acquire a broad business and real-world perspective of information technology, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, knowledge of data design and data management principles, and knowledge of basic programming and computer logic principles. These skills will provide students with the foundation needed to advance to their second year of study. In the second year of the program, students will choose one of the following five areas in which to specialize:

• Cybersecurity
• Management Information Systems
• Networking
• Oracle Academy Database
• Programming

Contact Louise Kowalski for more information about this award and the Information Technology degree at Erie Community College.

Michael Farrell is Communication Manager at Eric Community College in Erie County, New York.

Opinions expressed in Member Spotlight are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the League for Innovation in the Community College.