I hail from the Rochester, NY suburb of Webster (which, at least according to all the signs you see as you enter town, is "Where Life is Worth Living"). After many years in Western New York followed by a year in Connecticut, my wife (Dr. Lisa Nogaj) and I moved to Erie in 2010, and are thoroughly enjoying all that Northwest Pennsylvania has to offer -- especially Presque Isle, Asbury Woords, and proximity to Chautauqua Lake.
In my role as the Director of the STEM Center, I really enjoy working with a dedicated bunch of Gannon student tutors, helping students meet their course goals and overcome a lot of fear and intimidation that so many individuals have when it comes to math and other STEM topics. I like using technology and data in ways that advance learning and engender smart, efficient processes.
As a rabid Buffalo Bills fan and intense player of Scrabble, I have amassed a useless trove of NFL trivia and statistics, and an internal dictionary of obscure words that are legal in Scrabble even though I have no idea on earth what they actually mean. I also enjoy computer programming and creative writing in my free time, but my biggest hobby is playing ultimate (a.k.a. ultimate Frisbee). I coached the Fairport HS Bipolar Bears (previously the Deathsheep -- ultimate team names tend to be... creative) for five years, and was named the New York HS Coach of the Year in 2009. I now play locally in Erie, thrilled to still be able to outrun 20-year-olds while my body allows.
Courses Taught
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College Algebra (MATH 111); taught frequently
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Applied Statistics (MATH 213); taught frequently
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Algebra for Business Students (MATH 114)
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Business Technology 1 (CIS 150)
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PC OS / Internet (CIS 170)
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PC Word Processing (CIS 171)
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PC Electronic Spreadsheet (CIS 172)
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Comparative Languages (CIS 360)
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Professional Quality Module: Communication (GCIS 601)
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Professional Quality Module: Professional Development (GCIS 603)
Educational History
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Gannon University, Ph.D. Organizational Learning and Leadership, A Genetic Programming Based Computational Grounded Theory Analysis of a University Tutoring Department’s Academic Effectiveness. (2020)
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Rochester Institute of Technology, M.S. Computer Science (concentration in artificial intelligence), Establishing Parameters for Problem Difficulty in Permutation-Based Genetic Algorithms. (2011)
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State University of New York at Fredonia, B.S. Mathematics, Computer Science; minor: English. (2004)
Professional Experience
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Director, STEM Center, Gannon University, Erie, PA. (2015-Current)
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Director, Math Center, Gannon University, Erie, PA. (2011-2015)
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Adjunct Instructor, Gannon University, Erie, PA. (2011-Current)
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Learning Specialist, Academic Services Center, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT. (2010)
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Advisor, Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP), Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY. (2006-2009)