Sandra Gorka

Faculty
Information Technology

IT is dynamic. It connects the world and impacts our lives in transformative ways. Those are just a few of the reasons Sandra loves her field. She’s fascinated with the possibilities and inspires students to think critically and innovate solutions for a promising tomorrow.

Q&A with Sandra

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME FASCINATED WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

When I was in high school, I took a class called “Computer Math.” In this course, we began learning how to program a computer. It was really cool to “teach” the computer how to do something. Although quite primitive in today’s terms, I wrote a program to play Yahtzee! Another reason I find information technology fascinating is its pervasiveness. In today’s world, virtually all organizations and individuals employ information technology on a daily basis. Something that pervasive is worth studying to determine what it is and how we can best use it.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TEACHING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

The variety. I started teaching undergraduate math which is fairly static. The concepts underpinning undergraduate mathematics have not really changed much in centuries. Information technology is very dynamic, and every semester there are new things to learn and teach within IT. Ironically, one of the most significant changes in teaching mathematics over the last forty years has been the addition of computing devices such as calculators and computer applications. It is also very rewarding to hear about the variety of responsibilities and employers for our IT graduates.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISPERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE IT FIELD?

One such misconception is that using a computer makes you an IT professional. IT professionals are not just computer users; they make it possible for others to employ their computers effectively to accomplish their goals. IT professionals install, configure and maintain computing systems – as well as create and maintain new computing solutions – to help organizations (and individuals) meet their goals. IT is very user-centric.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE INTERESTED IN IT AS A CAREER CONSIDER PENN COLLEGE?

The IT programs at Penn College blend computing theory with extensive experiential learning activities to prepare graduates to hit the ground running when they enter the workforce. Our faculty strive to provide the necessary skills and experience for our graduates to seek employment in computing. We also teach the theory and higher-level skills that enable our graduates to continue improving themselves throughout their careers.

HOW DO YOU ADAPT TO THE RAPID PACE OF CHANGE IN THE IT FIELD FOR YOUR STUDENTS?

This requires a two-pronged approach. The first thing I strive to do is maintain currency in both the academic field of IT as well as the field of practice. This requires research in the discipline, industry, marketplace and in other academic disciplines that incorporate IT. The second approach is instilling in my students the mindset that they need to maintain the same kind of currency. To do that, I teach them skills required for lifelong learning and development.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS TO TEACH AND WHY?

It is hard to pick a single favorite class. I enjoy teaching classes that help students see the relationships between different bodies of knowledge and skills that they have mastered. It’s rewarding watching students learn to integrate these different elements to accomplish new tasks and build knowledge. That’s essential to create, implement, deploy and integrate computing systems.

Virtual Tour

Information Technology Virtual Tour

Dr. Sandra Gorka gives a glimpse inside the labs where future IT professionals learn how to install, configure, and maintain computing systems. You'll check out everything from gaming and simulation spaces to the hands-on labs decided to cyber security, networking, database management, and Linux systems.

Real-World Ready

"The IT programs at Penn College blend computing theory with extensive experiential learning activities to prepare graduates to hit the ground running when they enter the workforce."

Sandra Gorka

Associate Professor, Computer Science

Real-World Ready

Addressing the skills gap

Sandra estimates that nearly a half-million cybersecurity jobs go unfilled in the United States. Together with Instructor Jacob Miller, she presented ideas for addressing the skills gap at the Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education in Las Vegas. Part of the concept was creating awareness at the high school level.

The solution? An introductory information assurance and cybersecurity college-credit course. Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, area high school juniors and seniors can take the Penn College course and receive a scholarship to cover the cost.