On December 5, 2024, UITS (University Information Technology Services) held our Open Forum, a department meeting that started at 333 South Street in the amphitheater, moved to Area 51 after the Covid pandemic, and is now being held in our beautiful state-of-the-art Commonwealth Conference Room.  Over 100 colleagues gathered at this tri-annual event enjoying a delicious breakfast buffet, engaging conversation and informative and entertaining presentations.  

Presenters and Topics included: 

  • What is Service Delivery? – Maria Apse
  • One Beacon St. Move – Michael Milligan
  • Who Are We as a PMO? – Allison Bamforth
  • The “Legendary” Customer Support Team - Kelly Weeks
  • Digital Accessibility Compliance: Project Progress – Ana Ligia Rezende, Ron Agrella, Tracy Axelson, Rob Baker, Kristina England
  • Fun Facts about Sunapsis – Kathy Sawyer, Kate Carroll
  • Enterprise Data and Analytics: Organization, Mission and Accomplishments – Shahriar Panahi
  • UITS Annual Worcester County Food Bank Charity Drive – Matt Kozlowski
  • MVB Program and Challenge Coin Award Recipients – Kanhai Shah, Scott Szajna 

Pictures in order of appearance: 

Maria Apse presenting to a room in front of a large screen Maria Apse Allison Bamforth presenting behind a podium in front of a screen Allison Bamforth L to R: Tracy Axelson, Ron Agrella, Rob Baker, Ana Ligia Rezende presenting to a room L to R: Tracy Axelson, Ron Agrella, Rob Baker, Ana Ligia Rezende Kate Carroll and Kathy Sawyer presenting to a group behind a podium L to R: Kate Carroll, Kathy Sawyer Shahriar Panahi presenting to a group in front of two large screens Shahriar Panahi Michael Milligan presenting to a group in front of two large screens Michael Milligan Michael Milligan introducing MVB Program presenters – Scott Szajna and Kanhai Shah Michael Milligan introducing MVB Program presenters - Scott Szajna and Kanhai Shah

Highlighted at this meeting was our UITS MVB (Most Valued Behavior) Program presented by Scott Szajna and Kanhai Shah. The MVB Program recognizes colleagues within UITS through an anonymous nomination and election process. Using a Forms Stack form, anonymous nominators submit their ballots for worthy colleagues supplying detailed explanations and examples why this anonymous nominee should be awarded the coveted “UITS Challenge Coin Award”.

Winners of this MVB Program cycle: 

L to R: Nominator Dee Cogliandro, Nominee/Winner Roger Rice, CIO Michael Milligan posing for a photo L to R: Nominator Dee Cogliandro, Nominee/Winner Roger Rice, CIO Michael Milligan L to R: Nominators Nick Bonczyk and Sam Herren, Nominee/Winner Pete Connell, CIO Michael Milligan posing for a photo L to R: Nominators Nick Bonczyk and Sam Herren, Nominee/Winner Pete Connell, CIO Michael Milligan

Interesting facts about the program:

  • Formed around November 2018
  • First Challenge Coin awarded January 29, 2020 to Mounika Bonam
  • 10 nomination cycles to date
  • 83 Nominees and 26 Challenge Coin Recipients!

These are the UITS Most Valued Behaviors: