Thank you for considering my application for promotion to Professor at Utah Valley University. For your convenience, the materials in my Portfolio Binder are on this website. Please click on the links at the left to access the different sections of the portfolio. Each section describes its own contents.
I came to Utah Valley State College in 2001 after twenty years as a professional software engineer with additional experience in presenting and training in the software development industry. I am, at heart, a teacher, as my long-term adjunct experience prior to coming to UVU indicates. I brought the knowledge gained through successful experience with me, as well as my connections to the innovators in a number of areas of applied computer science, most notably, my membership on the ISO Standards Committee for the C++ programming language. I have brought industry notables to campus and continue my collaboration with my industry colleagues.
My academic interests include the theory and mathematical foundations of computer science and how they can be taught effectively and applied in solving real-world problems, which I enjoyed doing during my two decades as a member of the technical staff of major U.S. corporations. The courses I mentor and have created since my appointment to the faculty cover a wide range of important topics, from the foundations of computing to design principles and practices to the implementation of software systems. I have seen many, many students go on to successful careers and still keep in touch with them. My goal has been and continues to be advancing my mastery of the discipline of computer science and helping my students do likewise so that they may be successful contributors in their professions, be they industrial or academic. I also enjoy a rewarding personal and social relationship with many students, having been invited to multiple weddings, baby blessings, and social activities. I am on Facebook because a student invited me years ago and I now use it to keep in touch with many graduates. I have included emails from many students in the Teaching section of this portfolio. My teaching materials are available on the website I provide for my students: chuckallison.com. Please visit that site to evaluate those materials, which include Syllabi, Schedules, Slides, Readings, means to submit work electronically, and class discussion mailing lists.
I feel fortunate to be a member of the Department of Computer Science. We are truly a cohesive unit of qualified scientists and educators. We work well together and continually seek ways to improve. Our ongoing ABET accreditation attests to this fact. I have been the chair of the CS Track since 2001 (we have four tracks and also a separate degree in software engineering), leading our efforts in keeping our curriculum timely and sound. Our chairs and deans over the years have been supportive as their several abilities have allowed within the constraints of institutional guidelines and resources.
I have also enjoyed my many opportunities to serve outside of my department, on various institutional councils as well as President of the Faculty Senate. The latter experience opened my eyes to the complexity of our campus operations and the vast breadth of talent of our faculty and staff. We are a unique institution with an opportunity to innovate in higher education as it evolves in our new century with its emphasis on measurable effectiveness, engagement and sustainability. You will find evidence of my many service experiences in the Service section of this portfolio. While Faculty Senate President I also authored and coordinated the development and acceptance of the key academic policies we now enjoy as a university. I am continuing that work this year.
My scholarly work has focused mainly on how to effectively empower students and practicing professionals in their mastery of the complexities of the discipline of computer science and its applications in solving practical problems. During the last five years I have published six refereed articles in the Journal or Computing Sciences in Colleges that elucidate difficult concepts in our discipline and provide pedagogical devices to bring students to a proper understanding of the issues and their solutions. I also authored over a dozen professional articles published in industry venues to help practitioners in their craft. I have documented these and the many citations that have followed in the Scholarship section of this portfolio. I have also provided a section that shows that I am recognized nationally and internationally in my field.
If you have any questions during your evaluation, please let me know. I would be most pleased to be of assistance.
Again, thank you kindly for your consideration.
December, 2010