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Dean West: Technological Problem Solver 

BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Analytics and Information Analytics 

Class of 2020

Dean joined the McNeill community in the Fall of 2018 and has been working with the Office of Information Technology since then as well. Dean hopes to continue working in this profession after graduating.  

Dean began working with OIT as a Windows Lab Administrator and has since been promoted to Senior Lab Administrator. Throughout his time with OIT, Dean has learned how to support over 100 lab machines (computers, projectors, and beyond). His duties include understanding a wide "array of software that must be installed, configured, and maintained to support the classroom and learning experience” across various departments. With his promotion to Senior Lab Admin, Dean is now also responsible for “spearheading most of the technically challenging projects, teaching new hires, and creating innovations that will help [the OIT] team increase [its] breadth of support.” Dean’s passion for this job is rooted in getting “to create a solution and see it come to fruition after deployment.” Dean also notes "I truly appreciate and enjoy this job because it has exposed me to a diverse array of technology, software, and various other techniques to solve problems.” 

Related to problem solving, Dean found the McNeill Power Hour events effective for learning important skills and tips for maintaining motivation and community among students. The Metacognition Power Hour especially stood out to Dean “because it was [his] first time being exposed to different methods of self-awareness techniques to assist [his] academic career.” Particularly, Dean found the “individual strategies to help motivate students to perform better” indispensable in his later, tougher semesters. Similarly, Dean appreciated the virtual McNeill Welcome this year. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing protocols, McNeill moved all our events online this year. Dean notes, “Although it was virtual, it was relieving to talk to and hear from a large group of students after a very unorthodox summer.” These moments of community helped Dean, and others, feel less alone and isolated during this historic academic year.  

Dean’s nominator and academic advisor, Sophie, wanted to celebrate his achievements as well as the important role Angelica has played in the McNeill community. Most of all, many of us in the McNeill office marvel at Dean’s technological prowess as we have navigated the switch to our remote reality. 

Congratulations from everyone at the McNeill Academic Program, Dean! We are so excited for you to continue your career in IT! 

You can nominate a student for our Senior Spotlight here.