author, professor, department chair, Davis iTEC/Cyber Security Center and program coordinator – IT-Healthcare Informatics
Joey recently co-authored the book Principles of Information Systems. Here she shares her experience and background.
Question:
How did you get involved in writing the textbook?
Answer:
I had talked with Cengage at a conference two years ago about the content of a book that I was using and gave some suggestions for updated content. They called me last year and asked me to write for a different book, Principles of Information Systems, The original author of the book had passed and they needed someone who was passionate about information technology and had a desire to write. They had one chapter with a title and wanted to add an additional chapter for artificial intelligence. I was excited, as this was something that I have always wanted to do.
Question:
How long was the writing process?
Answer:
The entire process – writing, editing, revising – took about 10 months to complete. It is a lot of work and research. The entire process is extremely detailed, and I was working nights and weekends to meet deadlines.
Question:
Are you from North Carolina and where did you grow up?
Answer:
I was born in Greensboro and moved to Mount Airy as a teenager.
Question:
What are your academic degrees and where did you graduate?
Answer:
AAS – Business Computer Programming from Surry Community College
BS – Computer Information Systems – High Point University
MBA – High Point University
Post-Masters Certification in IT – University of North Carolina Greensboro
Question:
How long have you been at Forsyth Tech?
Answer:
I have been at Forsyth Tech for 11 years, one adjunct year and 10 full-time
Question:
Did you start as an instructor?
Answer:
I began at Forsyth Tech as an adjunct instructor in 2009. In 2010, I became a full-time instructor, In 2012, I obtained the position of Program Coordinator and in 2019 became a Department Chair.
Question:
Were you in industry before becoming an instructor?
Answer:
Yes, I worked in the Information Technology industry for 20 years before I began my career in education.
Question:
What interested you in information technology and what do you enjoy most about it?
Answer:
I was raised with technology, watching my father who was in the industry. I started taking classes at Surry Community College at night during high school, as programming classes were not offered in high schools at the time. The process of designing a system and then watching it come to life was fascinating to me, and still is. Seeing your creation work and help others do their jobs more efficiently is such a satisfying feeling.
Question:
How many classes do you teach and what do you enjoy most about teaching?
Answer:
Each semester varies, but I teach four to six classes each semester. I enjoy teaching because I love to learn. I want the students to get as excited about technology as I am and to instill in them that life-long desire to learn. Watching a student accomplish their goals is as satisfying to me as a teacher as it was for me as a student.
Question:
What are some of your outside interests/hobbies?
Answer:
When I am not at work, I spend a lot of time with family and friends. I love to go fishing, camping, reading. I also sing with my church’s choir and praise team.