March 2017 Kudos
ShareWeek of March 19 – 25, 2017
Computer Repair Service Team Named Winner of the 2017 Innovation of the Year Award
From left to right: Dave Brunick, Dennis Hunchuck, Jerry Hensel and Heith Hennel
Congratulations to the Computer Repair Service team on its selection as Valencia’s winner of the 2017 Innovation of the Year Award.
The team includes:
- Jerry Hensel, professor, computer programming and analysis
- Heith Hennel, professor, information technology
- Dennis Hunchuck, professor, computer programming and analysis
- Dave Brunick, professor, computer programming and analysis
Computer Repair Service teaches students how to repair computers in the most effective way. In traditional computer maintenance classes, students are taught troubleshooting skills and how to diagnose problems. However, they do not get the opportunity to work with actual, real-life problems.
Considering the issue, a previous student suggested to faculty the development of a student-led computer repair service; thus, the Valencia Computer Repair Service was born. The faculty worked with administration to get approval, and the program only utilized minimum funds that came from the Valencia Technology Club to get started.
Students go through a rigorous process to become eligible to work on the computers, learning technical documenting skills, customer engagement and technical processes related to the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Students also developed a scheduling system, at no cost to students and faculty, to take appointments for the computer repair. They work under faculty guidance to repair and diagnose computer problems. Students earn volunteer hours, learn valuable skills and gain crucial experience. In the past year, the students have repaired more than 350 devices.
The team provides the following services, free to employees and students:
- Hard drive installation
- Laptop/PC hardware repair
- Memory install
- Hard drive upgrade
- General troubleshooting software services
- App and OS install
- Antivirus software install
- Basic computer setup (Bloatware removal)
- WiFi setup
- Data backup
Already, this experience has led to many internships and jobs for the IT students after they graduate.
The program was selected by a representative group of peers, and it has been submitted to the League for Innovation for national recognition. The recipients will have the opportunity to present at the 2018 Innovations Conference.
For more information about the Innovation of the Year Awards, click here.
Michelle said:
Great job East Campus IT Faculty! Great service for our college and community!
PMTue, 21 Mar 2017 19:22:36 +0000Tue, 21 Mar 2017 19:22:36 +0000pm17,7:22 pm