Macy Cronkrite

M.S. Information Management ‘11
C.A.S Information Security Management ‘11
Boston, Ma

With over seven years of applied information systems programming, analysis, technical sales and IT management experience, I returned to school in 2007 to finish my B.S. in Computer Science - Information Systems at the College at Brockport, and entered the master's degree at SU in 2009. I chose the iSchool because I knew I wanted more than an MBA and more than an MS in Computer Science. I knew that the information leaders of the future needed both of these specialties and more. The iSchool was that fit or me.

The class work was directly relevant to the current industry best practices and trends. The work was challenging and academically rigorous and the labs always used the latest leading edge equipment. Even as an experienced IT practitioner, at the iSchool I was challenged daily to analyze the broader strategic picture. I developed an appreciation for the secret life of information and its power to create organizational transformation. The interdisciplinary curriculum which spans telecommunications, library science, and information management gives you an extraordinary combination of knowledge that infuses your study with an evolving perception of digital life and economies in the emerging information society.

While I decided to specialize in e-Government and Information Security, if I could take all the classes at iSchool, I would. In everything from social media, to mobile app development, information retrieval and classification theory, digital preservation, or information policy and security, the professors are some of the best in their fields. Faculty mentorship empowered me   was a major factor in helping me succeed. The iSchool life is also rich with networking opportunities with bright students, professionals and industry leaders from all reaches of the globe.

At the iSchool I found new opportunities to expand my professional experience.  As a teaching assistant for the IM program director, Dave Dischaive, he challenged me to reteach the fundamentals of IM and by doing that cemented them into my thinking. At the same time, I also discovered about myself that I really liked teaching and helping others succeed.  While working on the information security project with Dr. Joon Park, I finally learned how to analyze and produce quality research, and under his guidance, I was able to publish a paper for the first time. Working as a faculty assistant for Dr. Lee McKnight’s project, Wireless Grid Innovation Testbed, was a learning experience in academic research, grant writing, NSF, and building a  collaborative virtual research team.

I had an absolutely engaging and productive professional experience at the iSchool. I look forward to helping prospective and current iSchool students with any questions about how to navigate a new school, new country, or new program major. Send me an email, I look forward to meeting you! mcronkite@gmail.com - micronkr@syr.edu - Twitter @MacyCron