Friends University: Master of Management Information Systems

[ INFORMATION SYSTEMS ]

Success Students

Dianne Bell
Bill Chennault
Jason Ferguson
Klent Harkness

Dianne Bell
Dianne Bell is a Public Affairs Specialist, who works in Kansas City, Missouri. Dianne joined RMA on April 7, 2002, and is responsible for the RMA intranet and is the liaison between the Kansas City Web Team and the Washington, DC Web Team.

Before joining RMA, Dianne was with USDAs Farm Service Agency for 15 years where she held a variety of Computer Specialist positions in computer help desk support, programming, developing and delivering Windows training, and creating and maintaining Web sites.

Dianne's husband, Dave Bell, also works for RMA and is a 2001graduate of the MMIS program at Friends. Dave is the Chief of the Loss Adjustment Standards Branch of the Product Development Division. They have two children, Tyler, 11, and Emilie, 14. Tyler and Emilie are both on the honor roll and in honors choir programs.

Among many other certifications, Dianne has earned an A+ certification. Dianne holds a BA degree in Communications from Truman State University and a Masters degree in Management Information Systems from Friends University. She is currently working on her Ph.D. degree in Information Science from Nova Southeastern University. Dianne has a passion for teaching. She taught hardware and software computer classes at Longview College, and Baker University before Friends University.

Diannes ultimate goal is teach after she earns her Ph.D.

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Bill Chennault
On July 1, 2003, I became the Dean of Information Services at Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC). This position is responsible for the Information Systems department, which consists of a group of technical professionals led by a director; the Instructional Technology department, which consists of both faculty and staff and is responsible for all KCKCC on-line education; and Library Services, which provides traditional library services to the college and the community and, since its recent inclusion into the Information Services division, will play a prominent role in providing on-line library resources to both traditional and on-line students.

Prior to assuming the Deans position, I held the KCKCC position of Executive Director of Instructional Technology and Information Systems.

My name is Bill Chennault. I graduated from the Friends Computer Information Systems Bachelor of Science program in 1996. I graduated from the Friends Master of Management Information Systems program in 1997. Without the excellent education I received from Friends University, I would still be Bill Chennault, but I most definitely would not be Dean of Information Services.

Friends University knows the true secret to adult-oriented education. Highly competent faculty expertly delivered every piece of each degree curriculum I attended. Each one of those faculty members had a genuine concern for my success as an adult student. None of them were ever too busy to handle any problem I encountered.

This attitude, which is the true secret known by Friends, extends to the Friends staff family, as well. Every staff member wants to help, tries to help, finds ways to help, gets others to help, and settles for nothing less than student satisfaction.

I am proud to say Friends is my friend. (So are my wife and kids! They appreciate the lifestyle Friends made possible.)

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Jason Ferguson
Jason Ferguson is an IT manager for a corporation based in Wichita, Kansas that operates sales offices across the U.S., Canada, and France. Jason has 10 years experience in IT and is responsible for overseeing software development activities, database administration, and network administration. Jason holds a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Citrix Certified Professional (CCP) certification.

Jason holds a BS degree in Computer Information Systems and a Masters degree in Management Information Systems from Friends University. He is currently working on his Ph.D. degree in Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. Jason is a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines. Having completed the required course work, Jason is now in the middle of his dissertation effort.

Research topics of interest include information security, computer networks, .NET development, and distributed computing.

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Klent Harkness
Klent Harkness has 20 years of IT experience specializing in programming, systems and network administration, and project management. He holds an Associates of Science degree, a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, a Masters of Science degree in Management Information Systems, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Information Systems.

After graduating with his Masters degree from Friends University Klent applied the skills and knowledge gained from the program to develop enterprise wide IT solutions for his employer. Examples of projects completed include advanced firewall, intrusion detection, and proxy server applications. Other projects include web application development for management decision support and an enterprise wide facilities management system designed to control facility costs and assist with utility and budget planning.

Klent considers his Masters degree to be the corner stone on which he will build the next phase of his career. He has been promoted to Director of Plant Computing Services and looks forward to finishing his PhD and doing research into Internet related security issues. His view is that to maintain an edge in the IT field you have to continually update skill sets and grow as a professional. He believes that the MMIS program at Friends University offers a quality education, exceptional flexibility, and great value for your education dollar.

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