Georgia Southern University Earns Technology Association of Georgia Award
Georgia Southern University Earns Technology Association of Georgia Award
A cross-divisional team of Information Technology Services
employees, development officers and other members of University Advancement
have earned a 2013 Innovation Award in the Mid-Size Enterprise Category from
the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).
The team was honored at the annual Business Intelligence and Analytics
Innovation Awards ceremony held at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center in
November.
The annual event recognizes leaders in the Enterprise and Small to Mid-Size Business spaces for their development and application of business intelligence (BI), business analytics, big data and predictive analytics.
"TAG's recognition of Georgia Southern's Mobile and BI capabilities is the result of the University's highly collaborative approach to creating new and innovative solutions, challenging the status quo and realizing new capabilities that contribute to increased student success," said Steven C. Burrell, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer.
Beginning with an affiliate search in 2010, the team of 10 began identifying opportunities for improvement to help development officers complete daily tasks more efficiently. Planning challenges, manual reviews, delays in updates and tedious reporting functions were just a few of the problems they faced.
Through rapid development methodology, the group created an affiliate search and business analytics solution including a mobile application and dashboards which have changed the culture of University Advancement.
Development officers now benefit from real time donor insights and are able to conveniently access mobile technology. In addition, improved timeliness and data accuracy have resulted in productivity gains, a 17 percent efficiency increase and a total savings for the University of $36,480 annually.
Team members included:
- Steve Burrell - Vice President for Information Technology/CIO
- Ron Stalnaker - Associate CIO/Director, Enterprise Application Services
- Melissa Wohlstein - Associate Vice President for University Advancement
- Angie Cook - Systems Analyst, Enterprise Application Services
- Janice West - Director, Advancement IT/Research
- Salinda Arthur - Vice President for University Advancement
- Michelle Davis - Director, Office of Gift Planning
- Jennifer Karrh - Associate Director, Advancement Services
- Jason Williams - Assistant Director, Enterprise Application Services
- Patrick Seafield - Developer, Enterprise Application Services
“The big winner is the student. The cost savings and additional funds raised
for student scholarship and other university development activities literally
changes the lives of people, leading them to economic prosperity for their
families, and ultimately, the state of Georgia,” says Melissa Wohlstein,
associate vice president for University Advancement. 
Posted in My News