home page

Resume & Artist Statement

Skills & Specialties

Languages, Platforms, Frameworks: HTML, XHTML, HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, Spry, CSS2, CSS3, PHP, SQL, ASP .NET, WordPress, Joomla

Servers & Operating Systems: OS X, Linux, Windows, Apache Web Server, MySQL database server

Applications: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash (Creative Suite 6). Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, & Visual Studio, all major browsers including Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, & Opera, FTP client software, and the ever-underestimated plain text editor

Training & Speaking

I’m a geek that can speak, with over 13 years of experience teaching technology courses in hands-on environments. I’ve also delivered countless speeches, presentations, and workshops to fellow faculty, local high schools, Rotary clubs, school administrators, parents, and students.

 

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Independent Film & Digital Imaging
Governors State University, University Park, IL
• In Progress. Anticipated completion December 2012.

Photographic Studies
Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL
• May 2007 – May 2010, 42 credits completed in Photography and Art.
• GPA 3.905/4.0

Master of Education
Major: Community College Teaching and Learning
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
• August 2005
• GPA 3.87/4.0

Master Online Teacher Certificate
Illinois Online Network (ION), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
• Graduate level professional certificate in instructional design, assessment, copyright & intellectual property issues, and technology of online teaching.
• November 2002

Bachelor of Business Administration
Major: Computer Information Systems
Robert Morris College, Chicago, IL 1997
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude, GPA 3.92/4.0

Associate of Science
Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, IL 1994
• Graduated With Honors, GPA 3.21/4.0

Illinois IT Working Connections Institute
Annual week-long graduate level technology training presented
by the ICCB and the University of Illinois at Springfield

• Microsoft SharePoint – May 2010
• Microsoft Expression Studio – May 2009
• Adobe Creative Suite – May 2008
• Ajax & Rich Internet Applications – May 2007
• Game programming with Python – June 2006
• Data Assurance – Certified Ethical Hacker objectives – June 2005
• Linux System Administration – June 2004

 

Certifications

Certified Professional Web Developer - World Organization of Webmasters (WOW)
• May 2009

Certified Professional Webmaster - World Organization of Webmasters (WOW)
• May 2008

Certified Professional Web Designer - World Organization of Webmasters (WOW)
• May 2007

Certified Web Developer Associate (CWDVA) - World Organization of Webmasters (WOW)
• June 2005

Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Certified Instructor
• September 2004

Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Professional Site Designer
• May 2004

CompTIA Network+ Certified Network Service Professional
• August 2003

Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Associate
• August 2002

CompTIA A+ Certified Service Professional
• Service Technician and DOS/Windows – January 2001.

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (MCP+I)
• Windows NT4 Track Completed – October 1999.
• Original MCP Recognition for NT4 Server – June 1998.

 

Experience

1996 – Present
Purple Penguins StudioShelly Hokanson Photography, Harrisonburg, VA (formerly Lockport, IL)
Owner
• Web site design and photography

Aug 2011 – present
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Assistant Professor, Converged Media
School of Media Arts & Design (SMAD)

• Teach courses in graphic & web design and interactive media.
• Participate in curriculum development.
• Faculty Adviser to the SMAD Club (student organization).
• 2012 Edith J. Carrier Arboretum Collaborative Fellow.

Aug 2001 – July 2011
Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL
Professor, Graphic Communication
Coordinator, Graphic Communication Program

• Taught courses in web programming and application development, web design, creative writing and storytelling for game design, computer networking, and network security.
• Developed and continually updated graphic design courses, programs, and curriculum plans.
• Coordinated the graphic communications program for the Fine & Applied Arts department, 2010 – 2011.
• Coordinated the web development, programming, and networking areas for the Information Technology (IT) department, 2003 – 2010.
• Developed & delivered training workshops for faculty on best practices for implementing technology in the classroom.
• Active in distance education issues and online curriculum development.
• Member of the Instructional Technology committee, 2001 – 2011
• Chair of the Instructional Technology committee, January 2005 – 2009
• Elected member of the Curriculum Committee, 2004 – 2005
• Elected member of the Faculty Senate, August 2004 – July 2011
• Elected Officer of the Faculty Senate (Secretary), January 2006 – 2009
• Selected member of the Technology Planning Committee, January 2007 – present
• Member of the Illinois IT Working Connections Institute Faculty Advisory Board, 2006 – 2011

May 2000 – Jan 2001
Computer Learning Centers, Inc. Cherry Hill, NJ
Instructor / Programmer

• Taught courses in web programming and advanced web application development.
• Recorded 93.5% rating on student surveys of instructor performance.

Nov 1998 – Aug 2000
Val-U-Max Computers, Inc. Mt. Laurel, NJ
PC & LAN Technician, Web Programmer

• Performed service, repair, and upgrades on IBM compatible PC’s. Built VMX brand custom computer systems and servers. Provided on-site technical support for local area network clients, including Ethernet cable installation, Windows networking configuration, troubleshooting, administration, and software training. Provided telephone technical support. Created and maintained the store’s web site.

 

Artist Statement

I am inspired by dichotomies, especially in nature: hard and soft, dark and light, weak and strong. The simultaneous complexity and simplicity of nature fascinates me.

Digitally, I'm a fan of minimalist styles and intuitive user interfaces. Achieving both is a holy grail that is much easier said than done. (That is, in large part, why I bow to the genius that was Steve Jobs).

Photography is another tool by which I explore my visual voice. I shoot both film and digital, enjoying both the experience of chemical darkroom processing and computer based digital processing. Most of my film work is done in black and white, as I find there’s a timeless beauty to a film print that I’ve yet to see duplicated in digital processing. The majority of my color prints are captured and processed digitally. I believe in capturing the best possible image in camera, prior to processing. I also enjoy experimental photography, including infrared film photography and pinhole photography.

I enjoy landscape photography and portraiture, and occasionally tackle event photography.

 

Awards, Exhibitions, & Publications

Awards

2012 Top Juror's Choice Award for "We're All Mad Here", Annual National Juried Photography Exhibition, Academy of Fine Arts, Lynchburg, VA, juried by fine art photographer Sam Krisch

2012 Honorable Mention for "We're All Mad Here", Annual National Juried All-Media Exhibition, Petersburg Regional Art Center, Petersburg, VA, juried by Samantha May, Gallery Director of the Hillyer Art Space, Washington, DC

Exhibitions

2012

2010

2009

2008

Publications

2011

  • 2011 Schmap.com Seattle Guide Fifth Edition – Viretta Park, Seattle, WA (photo)

2010

2008

  • 2008 Suite101.com 10 Articles published on photographic techniques and web design
  • 2008 LifeTakesVisa.com Rock and Roll Fantasy Tour by RollingStone.com – Viretta Park, Seattle, WA (photo)
  • 2008 SOTT.net Science & Technology Article: Rapid, Dramatic ‘Reverse Evolution’ Documented In Tiny Fish Species (photo)

2007