Bill Shewbridge, who is manager of OIT's New Media Studio, has been named UMBC's "Employee of the Quarter" effective April 1 to June 30, 2007. OIT celebrated Bill's accomplishments during an Instructional Technology & New Media staff meeting on Thursday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. in ECS 023.
"Bill's work is distinguished by his patient persistence. He listens well and knows how to 'cut to the chase' of a problem and propose an effective solution," says John Fritz, director of Instructional Technology & New Media. "He is extremely creative and well-versed in all kinds of new media technology (e.g., Web, multimedia, podcasting and video production/streaming). He is also very responsible, doing whatever it takes to complete a project on time to the client's satisfaction."
Bill has been manager of UMBC's New Media Studio since it's inception in 2001, shortly after the merger between University Computing Services (UCS) and the Office of Instructional Technology (OIT). Prior to this, Bill was a video and multimedia producer and has more than twenty years of experience at UMBC providing educational media support and expertise.
Working with campus leaders and historians, Bill and the New Media Studio staff produced the UMBC 40th anniversary oral history video and the related interactive timeline. With his leadership, the New Media Studio annually produces well over 100 projects with a staff of two other full time employees and up to four part time student research assistants.
"Bill is a natural born teacher and approaches his job as a learning opportunity for both himself and his student research assistants," says Fritz. "Sitting in a biweekly NMS staff meeting is a treat. In addition to reviewing status and completing numerous projects, Bill and his staff use the meetings as a connection point between interesting, new technologies and real campus needs that require creative, out-of-the-box solutions. Bill gives direction but also receives it with aplomb."
In recent years, Bill has distinguished himself serving on the advisory board of the New Media Consortium's 2007 Horizon Report, which looks at new and emerging technologies over the next 1-5 years. He also served on the advisory board's 2005 Horizon Report.
Finally, Bill has been a constant shepherd of the new relationship forming between UMBC and Retirement Living TV. He has helped serve as a liaison for the RLTV temporary takeover of the UMBC TV Studio in ACIV, and served as an advocate for faculty affected by the move. He has also led the development of several "Digital Storytelling" projects involving Charlestown Residents, which may likely appear on RLTV as pilots. These projects involve UMBC students interviewing Charlestown residents and capturing their stories with 2-3 minute, first-person, narrated documentaries complete with family photos and memorabilia. Bill first used the "digital storytelling" workshop method in his ART 395 "Video Production" class, and has led the charge to bring this new kind of literacy to UMBC, through an open workshop this past January, which will be repeated in Summer 2007.
Originally from Frederick County, Maryland, Bill holds a B.A. in History from UMBC, an M.S. in Instructional Design from Towson University, a Certificate in Environmental Studies for the Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Communications Design from the University of Baltimore. Bill lives with his wife, Janet, a graphic designer, near UMBC.
As UMBC's Employee of the Quarter, Bill will receive the following:
A check for $500; A personalized employee parking space; One day of administrative leave; A certificate; His name on a plaque located on the fifth floor of the Administration building; An invitation to the annual Service Award Ceremony for all the recipients of the quarterly award.
For more information about UMBC's Employee of the Quarter award (including eligibility, a list of past recipients, and a nomination form), click here.