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Winning Aspiration
Winning Aspiration
To develop open technologies that facilitate a seamless experience for the Pratt community, empowering them to achieve their academic and professional goals.
How
How
How we work towards our North Star together.
We can optimize meetings by discouraging meetings within meetings, requiring agendas that focus on questions to be answered (no agenda, no attenda), ensuring equal participation, and reducing the number of meetings.
Best practices include adhering to a standardized project management framework, utilizing Asana for project-related tasks, communicating any change order processes to external departments, maintaining oversight through project managers, establishing clear roles and expectations by coordinating resources, setting expectations with clients, and actively monitoring task progress, dependencies, and responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle.
We encourage maintaining a positive atmosphere, with a focus on avoiding negativity and supporting our peers in doing the same. When it comes to communication, it's essential to pick the right tool for the job: use Asana for long-term project tracking, opt for Slack for casual chats and quick queries, turn to Zoom, Slack Huddle, Phone, or in-person meetings for real-time discussions and collaborations, and utilize email when communicating outside our division or institute to maintain a record.
Best practices involve standardizing Asana for project management, establishing clear communication norms for Slack channels and teams, ensuring productive and engaged meetings on Zoom, and making email communication brief and transparent by summarizing discussions and requests.
In our approach to collaboration, we aim to foster an environment of openness and growth. Actively listening is at the heart of it – we're attentive to what's said, attuned to body language, and making eye contact. We go beyond quick fixes by investing in training and professional development, not just for ourselves, but for our team members as well. Speaking the truth is valued; it's about explaining what went wrong to make it right.
Accountability is the cornerstone of collaboration – from ensuring everyone has the right information to setting achievable goals, being honest in our interactions, providing support to our team, giving and receiving feedback constructively, and making sure everyone has the skills they need to excel.
Our governance of Technology takes many forms: from academic and administrative technologies and their interoperability relating to academic affairs, student affairs, finance and administration, and enrollment to technology space planning, budgeting, hardware and software, services for students and faculty, and shared resources between the schools. Our strategic and operational guidance is led by the Technology Advisory Committee, Technology Steering Committee, and the Data Governance Subcommittee. Additionally, our division regularly meets with councils and groups such as the Dean's Council, Academic Senate, Provost’s Council, SGA, and Staff Council.
Learn more about the 8 Essential Qualities That Define Great Leadership. Sincere enthusiasm: How to Bring Energy and Enthusiasm to Work Every Day. Integrity: Why is Integrity Important in Leadership. Great Communication Skills: How Great Leaders Communicate and 8 Essential Leadership Communication Skills. Loyalty: 7 Habits of Leaders who Inspire Loyalty and Your Team Will Only Be As Loyal to You as You Are to Them. Decisiveness: The Art to Becoming a Decisive Leader. Managerial Competence: Ask an Expert What Skills Do I Need to Become a Great Manager. Empowerment: When Empowering Employees Works and When it Doesn’t. Charisma: Learning Charisma.
At Pratt Institute, strategic and operational planning plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution's future. Through strategic planning, Pratt sets long-term goals and outlines a vision for the future, aligning its efforts with its mission and core values. This process involves careful analysis, input from stakeholders, and a commitment to innovation. Operational planning, on the other hand, focuses on the day-to-day activities and tactics required to achieve the strategic objectives. It involves resource allocation, performance measurement, and adaptability to ensure that Pratt can successfully implement its strategic vision. Together, these planning processes enable Pratt Institute to navigate the evolving landscape of education and creativity effectively.
Where
Where
Areas to maximize our impact and work towards our aspirations.
View our Pratt Systems Architecture Map.
Data governance and integrity is a core value that varies for each director. It involves safeguarding technology to prevent unauthorized data alterations, using methods like MFA and oneKey, and communicating with data stewards about their role in maintaining data integrity.
We use data analytics for decision-making, seeking input from student-centric groups like SGA and faculty/staff at Pratt, similar to our Tech 360, with an emphasis on integrating data into the planning process.
To enhance capacity in networks, security, hardware, and physical space, we focus on curbing software proliferation by limiting purchases and support to existing platforms. Our infrastructure architecture aligns effectively within the Institute and identifies any shortcomings.
Process efficiency entails formalizing interactions and planning with external stakeholders. It centers on adopting a consistent project management framework among the directors, including standardizing the use of Asana for various project-related tasks, from requests to post-project summaries.
Pratt aims to expand our social systems such as the onePratt discussion board and knowledge base, and establish effective communication channels for informing the Pratt community about changes, achievements, and services. Our focus is on standardizing the use of the Technology Wiki for documentation.
In both physical and virtual contexts, Pratt aims to provide accessibility in computation. Pratt Anywhere allows remote access to high-performance systems and software, and this accessibility extends to on-campus locations alongside traditional computational resources in labs and classrooms.
Pratt aims to lead in the utilization of AI in education and offer training and support on best practices. AI will be harnessed to improve business practices, increase efficiency, and demonstrate leadership within the Institute.
We are developing Pratt's centralized hub for state-of-the-art digital fabrication services. Through one.pratt, our online marketplace, we provide the community with seamless access to advanced production capabilities and remote services. By consolidating these resources in one accessible platform, we ensure consistent, competitive, and user-friendly production support for all Pratt creators.
Who
Who
Our Technology departments and their specific mission.
The Department of Advanced Technologies focuses on designing and integrating AI and data-driven automation to enhance creativity and productivity while ensuring access to advanced physical labs and remote computing platforms. Managing Pratt’s AI computing clusters and creating custom applications, we support academic programs, research, and administrative workflows. Explore our AI tools at ai.pratt.edu, access remote resources via Pratt Anyware, or use Pratt Knowledge for seamless information retrieval.
Core Data Systems manages and administers core platforms and associated applications, including Colleague (ERP), DocuWare (document management), eForms, Google Workspace, Adobe, Slack, Asana, and Salesforce. Additionally, CDS handles integrations and middleware solutions, connecting core systems to platforms such as Paylocity (HR/payroll), Starfish (student success), Canvas (LMS), Tableau (analytics), and Kronos (workforce management). Our team is frequently tasked with solving workflow and integration challenges, leveraging available tools, collaborating across departments, and developing custom solutions when needed.
The Cybersecurity department is dedicated to protecting the Institute’s systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, threats, and breaches. We actively manage risk through a comprehensive approach, including conducting risk assessments, implementing and continually improving controls, and adhering to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Our commitment to compliance extends to regulations such as GDPR, FERPA, and GLBA, strengthened by partnerships with Legal and Risk Management. Key initiatives include deploying the necessary systems to secure user access, ensure endpoint protection, and provide ongoing cybersecurity training. Through these efforts, we aim to mitigate risks, promote awareness, and ensure a secure and compliant environment for the Pratt community.
Instructional Technology Services designs, integrates, and supports AV/IT systems across a wide range of learning spaces, including classrooms, seminar rooms, studios, and lecture halls. We collaborate on the planning and construction of these environments, ensuring project management aligns technology with educational goals. Our mission is to empower educators and learners by incorporating technologies into diverse educational settings. We are committed to fostering innovation, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring equitable access to resources. Through expert guidance and support, we strive to create inclusive, dynamic, and technology-enhanced learning environments that prepare our community for success in a rapidly evolving digital world.
The Network and Core Infrastructure department designs, implements, and operates the systems and processes underpinning all institutional communications and computing. These systems encompass a diverse range of technologies, including end-user computing devices (staff computers and printers), servers (Active Directory/DHCP/DNS/databases), and storage (storage.pratt.edu), as well as networks (switching/WiFi/internet) and voice communications (phones/voicemail/Jabber). Additionally, we manage and maintain the campus low-voltage wiring plant, which includes both copper and fiber optic infrastructure. We provide utility-grade services with redundancy and resiliency as baseline features.
The Patron and Systems Operations department ensures the smooth functioning of critical systems that support the daily experiences of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. From campus access and control systems to the infrastructure powering essential services like Colleague SIS and its integrations, we manage a wide range of operations. Our team also oversees campus amenities such as gyms, dining services, printing, ID cards, parking permits, and student-focused platforms like housing management, PrattBucks, meal plans, and off-campus merchant programs. Additionally, we maintain key technology tools, including Terradotta, Business Objects reporting, the Emergency Alert System, and more. Committed to reliability, efficiency, and innovation, we aim to create a secure and seamless campus environment.
The Production Systems department drives innovation by leveraging powerful computational tools with cutting-edge fabrication capabilities. We’re continuously expanding our technological infrastructure through investments in advanced equipment, automated systems, and refined production methods. Our unwavering commitment to technological excellence is breaking new ground in production possibilities, empowering the Pratt community to develop, produce, & scale anything all linked under one department.
The Technology Budgets and Administration Department works on budget management, including reporting, monitoring, and reconciliation of accounts. In addition, we work with the Technology departments on order processing, tracking, and invoicing. We work closely with the Controller’s Office, especially Purchasing and Accounts Payable. We assist in managing the campus utilities, lease copiers, communication systems, and Technology purchasing approvals.
The Pratt Technology Communication and Events department oversees the administration of Pratt TV, including training on the Spectrio Enplug platform for content management. We handle all aspects of event coordination, including planning and scheduling events such as lectures, film screenings, symposiums, conferences, meetings, and performances, as well as hybrid and live-streaming needs. Technology Communications and Events helps craft internal and external news releases about current and future technology initiatives at Pratt, and assists with graphic and animation design for internal presentations. We manage the Kaltura video asset management system, which feeds talks.pratt.edu. We help coordinate Tech Talks, a monthly meeting around new technology projects. We also facilitate the Sidelights + video project, a student-led film production program that strives to cultivate community awareness in all aspects of a student’s current interest.
Technology Services provides services and solutions to our community with superb customer service while focusing on continuously improving processes and tools. As the central hub of information, we collaborate with various departments to ensure a timely resolution for all members of the community. We operate in all departments and offices, including the Brooklyn campus, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Pfizer Building, Pratt Manhattan, and Pratt House.
The Vice President and CIO’s Office leads the Technology division in developing strategies for adopting and integrating open technologies and frameworks for the Pratt community.
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