Faculty Focus: Jimmy Jones
Jimmy Jones Adds a Human Touch to Information Systems Management
Jimmy Jones , Faculty
Information Systems Management
School of Undergraduate Studies
Jimmy Jones, UMUC assistant adjunct professor, doesn’t just teach practical how-to skills in his Information Systems Management classes; he teaches the fundamentals of being successful in the real world.
With more than 10 years of experience in government and congressional service, Jimmy applies many of his real-life experiences to the lessons he teaches in the classroom. “I tell them personal stories about how to apply a classroom theory to an event or real-life scenario. It allows [my students] to see the human side of the situation and gain an understanding of how to handle the challenges they face. It also shows them that not every office environment is going to be perfect, so it is a great way to see that nobody has an easy ride in life,” he explains.
At the recommendation of a colleague, Jimmy applied to UMUC and began teaching part-time in January 2006. He says what he enjoys most about his role as an educator is “teaching students something that they have not heard before and providing them with an opportunity to discuss their beliefs and their life stories. I love seeing students being successful."
In addition to teaching part-time for UMUC, Jimmy works full-time for the U.S. Department of the Interior managing its IT budget and addressing emergency management issues for the chief information officer. He also stays well-rounded by helping his church with different ministries to aid the less fortunate in the Washington, D.C., area.
He recently traveled to Nicaragua in January of 2009 with Bridges to Community, an organization that helps build homes for community members in need. “It is my own personal way to give back to one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere,” he says. This was his second year in a row he traveled to Nicaragua to build homes and make a difference.
Jimmy intends to share his Nicaraguan experience with his students. “I will use it as an example that we all should share with building up the world and letting them know we care. I like to tell them that they will not be able to learn everything in a classroom and that it’s only the beginning of their knowledge and life experiences,” he explains.
By interjecting a human touch to the sometimes not so human world of technology and information systems, Jimmy hopes to better prepare his students for success in the job market. He offers these words of advice to his students: “Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Do not be afraid to be bold or to make mistakes, and be willing to grow.”
