Information systems technology instructor recognized with annual award
Judy Suddendorf, 65, information systems technology faculty at Dakota County Technical College, has been named DCTC 2020 Instructor of the Year. Judy is an instructor in three STEM Careers programs, Information Systems Management, Networking Administration and Software Development.
“This is a huge honor,” said Judy, who will receive a crystal desk trophy noting her accomplishment, “because the award is initiated by students who remain anonymous.”
Judy began teaching at DCTC in August 1998. She has Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Curriculum and Development in Software Applications from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Education and Coaching, also from UNI, and an Associate of Arts (A.A.) from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
More about Judy…
Originally from Postville, Iowa, Judy graduated in 1973 from MFL MarMac High School in Monona, Iowa. For family, she has one brother, one sister-in-law, four nephews and one niece. She loves dogs, but only has virtual ones currently.
In her free time, Judy enjoys working out and riding her road bike. “My goal is riding two thousand miles every summer, which I have completed in eighteen summers,” she said. “I’ve been downhill skiing since I was fifteen.”
Judy resides in Burnsville, Minnesota.
Judy Suddendorf • Q & A
Judy Suddendorf
Why did you choose information systems education as your career field?
I didn’t initially choose IT; I started teaching in 1979 and desktop PCs started in 1980. I was happy teaching business courses and coaching at Prairie High School in Iowa. I saw the change coming so I stepped forward and helped write a grant to get PCs into my business classes. I am totally self-taught and there weren’t any books back then. So I guess you could say I migrated into IT.
What do you like most about teaching college students?
I like the diversity of age and experiences that they bring to the classroom. We all benefit from each other.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe there are two ways to teach. One is covering the content, and the second is to develop skills. I strive to make sure the students walk away with skills, which takes a lot of drill and practice. I want my students to recognize the value in attending my classes.
What is the first thing you want your students to learn?
I tell them they must have a passion for the career they are choosing because you will only get better at what you are already good at. By that I mean, you won’t put the time in to develop skills in something you don’t like, or someone else told you to do it because you’d make good money.
Three words that describe you as a college educator:
DEDICATED. BLUNT. PASSIONATE.
What is your favorite class to teach and why?
I teach the foundation courses for all the IT programs. I like teaching the Operating System I class because the curriculum gives students confidence while starting to develop their problem-solving skills.
What traits do students need to be successful network administrators?
You must be a good problem-solver. You need enough fundamental knowledge so you can predict the result and seriously question if you don’t get your prediction. Too many people just accept what the computer outputs.
What is the greatest challenge for students studying information systems?
I don’t think they really know how much time and effort they are going to have to put in to be successful. Those students that figure that out and develop relationships with other students in the class do extremely well and are starting out with salaries higher than some four-year college graduates.
How do you see software development evolving over the next 20 years?
That is a tough question. I look back at my lifetime and I feel like I started on a slow walk, and now it’s moved into a sprint to keep up. The only thing I can predict is a lot of unknown changes. I know I will not embed a chip in my skull.
One word that best describes your teaching experience at DCTC:
Fun
About the DCTC 2020 Instructor of the Year Award…¹
Instructor of the Year Committee: It is important to note the newly designed selection process was very comprehensive and thorough. Beginning in July of 2019, the Committee was formed and ultimately was comprised of students, staff and faculty. Next, a metric was created to weigh various objective criteria based on that which the Minnesota Board of Trustees utilize. The metric was augmented with additional criteria the Committee deemed essential and consistent with the unique aspects of DCTC as a higher education learning institution.
In February 2020, students, staff and faculty members were allowed one vote to nominate one faculty member. Once the names and votes were tabulated, the finalists were then asked to provide written answers to a series of questions the Committee agreed upon were central in determining excellence in education.
Our DCTC 2020 Instructors of the Year demonstrate extraordinary competence, passion and inspiration in teaching.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Install and maintain computer network systems for businesses.
WAGE
This career pays well above the statewide median wage of $20.95/hour
Minnesota
Median: $40.23/hour
High: $49.71/hourSeven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $42.00/hour
High: $51.31/hourOUTLOOK
In Minnesota, there are 7,610 workers employed in this medium-sized career. This career is currently in very high demand. There will be a need for about 6,200 new Network and Computer Systems Administrators to meet market demand between 2018–2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education
Applications Software Developers
Develop and modify computer applications software.
WAGE
This career pays well above the statewide median wage of $20.95/hour
Minnesota
Median: $47.32/hour
High: $58.54/hourSeven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $54.23/hour
High: $72.21/hourOUTLOOK
In Minnesota, there are 19,970 workers employed in this large career. This career is currently in very high demand in Minnesota. This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. The growth rate is 23.8 percent, which is well above the statewide average. There will be a need for about 14,218 new Applications Software Developers to meet market demand between 2018–2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
Judy Suddendorf • Seven Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Biking
- Place you would most like to visit: Australia
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Give to charity 2) Travel 3) Buy a new house
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: Survivor- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Continue to be a productive citizen
- Dream occupation: The career I’m in
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Lack of morals, leadership and work ethic
Learn more about Information Systems Management, Networking Administration and Software Development at DCTC by contacting:
Betty Krueger
Information Systems Technology Faculty
651-423-8560
Judy Suddendorf
Information Systems Technology Faculty
651-423-8385
Nathan Blommel
Information Systems Technology Faculty
651-423-8616
Jeff Owens
Information Systems Technology Faculty
651-423-8587
