I wish I could just talk to a veteran tech leader working in higher education.
How many times have we all found ourselves saying something like this or similar, regardless of the field of interest? Seeing yourself in a role can be very insightful. For veterans, having a connection with someone who also understands your background is an additional plus.
Many veterans pursue fields in the tech industry because of compatibility with their military experience. This does not just mean IT solely but also other areas where technology and digital modernization occur such as engineering, supply chain logistics, manufacturing, health information technology, and defense. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data, approximately a third of employed veterans work in STEM occupations.
In this feature, we take a deeper look into the field of technology in higher education through the perspective of the College of Computer Information and Technology (CCIT) Dean, Dr. Mark McKinney, Ed.D., who is also a veteran. In discussing veteran leadership perspectives, support for student veterans, workforce alignment, and lessons learned, we follow his path to success and share key considerations for veterans seeking technology degrees and pathways.
Veteran Leadership Perspective
Dr. McKinney’s experience as a veteran shaped his leadership style in higher education, particularly how he leads CCIT. He said it is all about people. Taking care of people who take care of you means it is reciprocated. It is a philosophy he applied in the military and later to build trust and respect. His focus was not micromanagement but to give folks the tools for success…and then get out of their way!
In terms of how he integrates his leadership style at CCIT, he emphasized the importance of faculty with technical expertise conveying the material in layman’s terms and providing real-world examples. Whether new to the field or career transitioning, this approach builds a bridge and extends autonomy and mastery of the subjects.
Supporting Student Veterans
“Don’t talk about it. Be about it.”
That was Dr. McKinney’s mantra when asked, “What specific steps has CCIT taken, or plans to take, to better support student veterans as they transition into technology and IT-related careers?” He talked about being vocal in spaces where veterans were and were not present.
Through his increased presence, he shared some exciting updates about building relationships with more industry partners and how he is in the process of creating a scholarship specifically for this community. He urged veteran students to take advantage of free campus resources.
His message to veterans was to be purposeful, have a goal, and make a plan, especially as the learning does not stop in the CCIT field. In his own example, he shared how he originally started out with the goal of becoming a professor but found himself with opportunities that led to becoming a dean. Veterans do not need coddling, but certainly multiple perspectives, which is why he also connects his CCIT veteran students and staff with others outside of formal programs. To him, supporting veteran students means unapologetically looking out for the veteran community.
Workforce Mission Alignment
Veterans often bring adaptability, discipline, and mission focus. How does Dr. McKinney see these strengths aligning with workforce partnerships and industry-driven programs? First of all, he makes community connections and builds a pipeline of students with companies.
Aside from the CCIT Mentorship Program, he helps students bypass the red tape by aligning the workforce side with the academic side. He is developing an Apple Lab at one of the campuses, for example, and embedding more industry-recognized certifications into CCIT programs. He is establishing more degree programs related to AI and Digital Forensics in the near future and building more funding pathways.
He also pointed back to his military discipline and advised veteran students to apply their advanced training and agility in higher education. To be a commodity and not expendable, he said to be prepared and know your stuff, but do not put yourself into one box.
Advice to Veteran Educators and Leaders
For veterans considering leadership roles in higher education, Dr. McKinney provided lessons from his own journey that were most critical to his success. Sure, if you wanted to be a full-time professor, you would need to research potential positions, get the qualifications, and start teaching as an adjunct. But Dr. McKinney added, “You must be able to relate to people.”
As a final thought, Dr. McKinney shares lessons and recommendations.
- Make sure that everyone you have in your corner is really on your team, supporting you. Sometimes, you may just need to keep your circle close without telling everyone your plans.
- Imposter syndrome happens, and the opposite is true. He’s learned to balance himself with humility while knowing when it is time to speak up.
- “After-Action Report” on yourself. Learning never stops, especially in the Computer and Information Technology field.
