Overview
As Assistant Professor of Information Studies at Syracuse University, Dave Molta teaches classes on computer networks, information technology and information systems, drawing on over 15 years of experience in managing computer and network systems. Molta also holds two other positions, the first as Senior Technology Editor with Network Computing magazine, and the second as Director of Syracuse University's Center for Emerging Network Technologies (CENT)
Molta began his professional career in the early 1980's consulting on microcomputers, networking, and computer-based statistical analysis. He worked for several years as a network engineer at the University of North Texas, maintaining a range of communication technologies including Ethernet, PC-to-host technologies, dialup modem pools, and broadband CATV-based networks. In the mid-1980's, he was involved in the early development of Internet backbone facilities in the State of Texas, including work with the Texas Higher Education Network (THENet) and SESQUINET regional networks. He later became actively involved in the large-scale implementation of first-generation local area network technologies from 3Com, Novell, and IBM, experience that led him to conduct seminars and tutorials at numerous conferences and trade shows including NetWorld, Networks Expo and ComNet. He also served on program advisory boards for NetWorld and UNIX Expo.
In 1986, Molta was appointed Manager of Academic Computing Services at the University of North Texas. In that position, he established overall direction for the use of information technology in pursuit of the University's instruction and research missions, working closely with faculty, department chairs, deans and administrators. During his 5 years in that position, he gained experience managing a user-services organization while helping steer the University's entry into the world of client/server computing, bridging the gap between end-users and technologists while building a high-speed LAN/WAN environment and associated server infrastructure.
In 1991, he left Texas to accept a newly created position as Director of Network Systems at Syracuse University. During the seven years that he held that position, he assumed increasing responsibility for the University's central network and systems environment during a period of dramatic organizational and technological change. A significant downsizing effort fostered a re-examination of IT directions, leading to a transition to a client/server applications environment built around new systems and a rock-solid campus network infrastructure. During his tenure, the network grew by more than two-thousand percent to over fifteen thousand devices.
In 1993, Molta co-founded the Network Computing Real World testing laboratory at Syracuse University. Having been a contributor to the magazine since its second year of publication in 1991, he worked closely with the magazine's management to expand the magazine's presence on campus, coordinating various activities and recruiting students and other IT professionals to work on editorial projects. In 1998, Molta began writing a monthly column for the magazine and in 1999, he accepted the position of Editor, establishing editorial direction and managing many editorial processes. He also served for a brief period as Editor-in-Chief until 2001, when he returned to teaching full-time. Molta continues to serve as a Senior Technology Editor.
In August, 1998, Molta left his management position to focus his attention on teaching and writing. In his teaching, he attempts to synthesize his real-world experience, garnered both from his technical and management career and his lab-related technology testing, with back-to-basics pedagogy that stresses mastery of core technical concepts, extensive reading of a range of technical and management-oriented publications, and hands-on experience with technology. In his first year teaching full-time, Molta was selected by IST students as Professor of the Year.
In 2000, Molta established the Center for Emerging Network Technologies (CENT) at Syracuse University and currently serves as the Center's Director. CENT's mission is to perform hands-on testing and provide industry analysis of products and services in emerging technology markets. A key area of focus currently resides in the mobile and wireless communication market, including wireless personal area, local area, metropolitan area and wide area products and services.
Research Interests
Molta's primary research interests lie in mobile and wireless information systems and in technology education. In the mobile and wireless area, he is actively involved in a range of applied and market-oriented research. The applied research focuses on interoperability and performance testing of a vast spectrum of wireless LAN, fixed wireless, and wide area wireless infrastructure technologies and associated applications. With respect to market research, he has extensive interests in the impact of mobile communications technologies on individuals, organizations, and society.
Teaching Interests
Molta's primary teaching interests are focused on computer networking, both at the upper-division undergraduate level and the masters level. He is very interested in pedagogical techniques that provide a broad range of students, with different learning styles, to successfully master technical subject matter. His teaching combines directed reading, traditional lectures, technology demonstrations, and laboratory exercises. Molta's core educational philosophy is that university students pursuing a career in information technology need to develop a combination of key abilities. First, they need to learn to read and comprehend a range of technical materials, learning key vocabulary and concepts and formulating meaningful questions when they confront obstacles. Second, students must become intimately involved in experiential learning, working directly with a range of computer and network technologies in a hands-on manner, both inside and outside of school. Finally, students must develop the interpersonal and group skills necessary to work in the collaborative, project-oriented environment that typify most information technology organizations
Professional Interests
Dave Molta's professional career is somewhat non-traditional. As an Assistant Professor in a non tenure-track position, he serves at the discretion of his supervisor. Molta's research activities are highly applied and his articles are published in trade publications and through other electronic means, including e-newsletters and web sites. Molta takes his academic professional responsibilities seriously and he is actively involved in a range of service-oriented activities, especially those related to technology-oriented curriculum issues at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is particularly interested in facilitating experiential learning through the development of computer laboratories and associated instructional materials. Early in his career, he was actively involved in major network-related trade shows and was a frequent speaker and member of advisory boards for NetWorld and UNIX Expo. Later, he became more involved in writing and teaching, which reduced the amount of time he had available for external professional activities. He has written for Network Computing Magazine since 1991 and also served in management positions with that publication. He continues to play an active role in steering the publication's overall editorial direction and developing the unique university lab partnership that makes Network Computing's hands-on focus so compelling. Molta enjoys speaking at informal events and at industry trade shows and maintains regular interactions with major technology manufacturers.
Personal Interests
Most of my spare time revolves around family-related activities including active involvement in youth sports, where I coach baseball and basketball teams. I also enjoy the outdoors, especially boating and fishing.