Nickolas Andrew Backscheiderbacksni@mail.auburn.edu

Education:MBAUniversity of Rochester, Executive Development Program, 1981
PhDPurdue University, Mathematics: Logic and Set Theory, 1975
MSPurdue University, Applied Mathematics, 1973
STBYale University, emphasis on counseling and organizational operation, 1967
BSPurdue University, Mathematics, "with highest distinction,"1964

Examples of other relevant education and training include courses in:
Systems Design (IBM)Management SkillsNegotiating Skills
Disaster Recovery PlanningPolicy AnalysisMultimedia in Higher Education
Design for Technology in InstructionAcademic Planning and BudgetingTotal Quality Management (Xerox)
Coordination between University information service departments
EDUCAUSE Leadership Program, Boulder Colorado, June, 2001
EDUCAUSE Short Courses in Instructional Technology Planning and Development [EDUCAUSE 2001]
Experience:Auburn, Alabama
2000-presentAssociate Executive Director for Planning and Educational Technology. Office of Information Technology: Auburn University.

  • Manage and set direction for three cost recovery IT units: Media Production Group (professional video production/direction), Classroom Enhancement, Satellite
  • Manage and set direction for Instructional Media Group (faculty/instructional support)
  • Write, review and/or edit OIT planning documents.
  • Oversee evaluation of OIT services
  • Represent OIT on University level committees.
  • Liaison with deans and department heads.
  • Special Projects include chairing the alumni/development information management team.
1995 - 2000Educational Technology Advisor: Auburn University.

  • Responsible for conversion of OASIS to Semesters.
  • Managed OASIS on a daily basis including chairing OASIS Management Team, finding solutions to user problems, working with professional staff and faculty in departments and colleges, providing a liaison between the IT suport staff and the OASIS users. The OASIS Management Team was responsible for setting the direction of OASIS and for assuring that it was managed like the University asset it is.
  • Responsible for planning and carrying out activities to increase the effective use of technology in instruction on a university-wide basis. This includes the design and teaching of several courses for faculty members. The courses deal with instruction al technology skills and opportunities and related pedagogical issues. Over the course of 12 months, about 600 faculty members participated. Consulting with individual faculty members on special projects.
  • Appointed by the Provost as advisor to the Vice-President for Student Services in the planning and implementation of technology for the support and management of Student Services (Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid Student Activities, Health Center. Placement, Recreation, Student Union, etc.) Included flow analysis of operations, guidance in planning use of Web for information distribution and marketing.
  • Special projects for the Provost. Planning for Virtual Science Laboratory, implementation of some of the Dean's recommendations to the Provost for increased efficiency.
  • Responsible for the implementation of the SCT SIS project (assigned by President, Jan 1997)
1993-1995Independent Consultant : to the President and Provost of Auburn University
  • Retained to evaluate the information technology structures and procedures at the University and recommend policies, goals and organization for the University. Typical activities included:
    • Planning, serving on and assisting in the direction of the President's Information Technology Planning Task Force .
    • Designing position description for University Information Technology positions.
    • Advising the Provost and other senior administrators in such areas as Network Planning, operations in Contracts and Grants Accounting and Administration, University internet policy, organization, directions for Administrative computing.
    • Serving on the Academic Computing Advisory Committee.
    • Working with faculty individually and in groups in design and use of technology in instruction.
    • Participation in faculty seminars.
    • Writing grant proposals.
    • Managing the program for a regional Instructional Technology Conference.
    • Surveying the major information technology users on campus, including all deans, many department heads, many faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, librarians, research groups, administrative computing units, operations units, Outreach staff, information technology support personnel, clerical staff. Summarizing information for the Provost and President.
    • Overseeing of a number of projects including adding all faculty members to the University backbone.
    • Participation in the writing and evaluation of surveys to rate the level of computing support for students at Auburn.
    • Speakind to community groups.
  • Taught calculus. Consulted with several graduate students at the request of faculty.
University of RochesterRochester, New York
1985-1993University Systems Director

This position had two major aspects. I served within the office of the chief information officer (Vice-Provost for Computing) in a senior staff role for university computing projects, including work with planning, analysis, budget, and evaluation. I also provided a major part of the leadership in planning and direction of academic support. Examples of particular tasks include:

  • Working with faculty in establishing programs in instructional computing.
  • Evaluating and approving departmental requests for purchase or lease of computer equipment.
  • Instructing and leading teams in the application of Total Quality Management to administrative operations. (Training in TQM was by Xerox Corporation.)
  • Serving as ombudsman for computing problems anywhere in University.
  • Setting goals for and supervising Academic Computing staff.
  • Coordinating the creation of a disaster recovery plan for University and Hospital.
  • Consulting with deans and faculty, administrative directors and users about and administrative users about use of computing and networking within their areas.
  • Overseeing projects which crossed traditional boundaries.
  • Reviewing training programs.
  • Auditing administrative department use of desktop computing.
  • Participating in the establishment and review of University policies for data access and system documentation.
  • Directing the Manuscript Center .
  • Establishing, directing, and managing University of Rochester Computer Sales (a $5 million/year on-campus resale operation).
  • Coordinating strategic planning for academic computing.
  • Teaching computer application courses to students, faculty and staff.
  • Writing position papers for the Office of the Vice Provost for Computing.
1985University Data Administrator

Responsible for the coordination of information definition and sharing in administrative systems.

1981-1985Project Manager, Student Information Project

Directed a University-wide project to redesign and replace computer support and database systems and related operations for Registrar, Bursar, Financial Aid, Services, Housing and Admissions.

1979-1981Manager of User Support, Office of Administrative Information Systems:

  • Managed production, data entry, and user-support staff for University administrative computer systems.
  • Consulted with users in design and implementation of local and departmental systems.
  • Planned and coordinated administrative user training.
  • Taught programming.
1977-1979Associate Registrar

  • Managed staff of 14 in all standard registrar functions.
  • Oversaw the preparation of state and federal reports.
  • Provided systems support and training for staff.
  • Coordinated the work of the Office of the Registrar with other University departments.
  • Served on Student Information System Implementation team, responsible for technical interface.
1975-1977Assistant Registrar for Systems:

  • Responsible for Office of the Registrar data processing and report generation, including special requests.
  • Interface with data-processing staff.
  • Analyzed user needs and designed reports.
1975-1993Instructor and Assistant Professor of Mathematics (Part-time)

Taught precalculus, calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, probability, computability theory, complex variables, introductory logic, mathematical logic, set theory (College of Arts and Science), and problem solving (Graduate School of Manageme nt). Rated by students as an excellent teacher.

Rollins CollegeWinter Park, Florida
1973-1975Assistant Registrar

  • Planned and supervised registration and course scheduling.
  • Edited college catalogue.
  • Instructor of Data Processing and Mathematics(Part-time)
Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, Indiana
1968-1973Counselor and Academic Advisor

  • Provided academic, vocational, and personal counseling to students and occasionally parents.
  • Wrote and validated placement tests in mathematics.
  • Formulated special programs of study.
  • Recruited students for the University and trained faculty for recruitment visits.
  • Directed freshman orientation.
  • Rated "best counselor," School of Science. 1972.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Mathematics
Englewood Presbyterian ChurchEnglewood, Florida
1966-1968Pastor
Performed standard pastoral duties in a primarily retirement community. Organized a "Meals on Wheels" program locally. Served on Presbytery committees
Professional Activities:
Publications and Presentations
Papers presented at meetings of
Grants
Regional and national committees
College and University Activities
Professional Memberships
Consultant for colleges, universities and other not-for-profit institutions.
Community Activities (selected):
Current Former