Walker College of Business News
Walker College Computer Information System Students Take Top Honors at National Conference
Ten Walker College students traveled to Detroit to compete in the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) National Collegiate Conference March 29 – April 1. Approximately 750 people attended the conference from numerous schools across the country.
Jessica Russ (left) was awarded first place in the undergraduate student paper competition and Ashley Holt (right) took second place honors in the same category, earning both students a place in the finals. AITP faculty advisor Scott Hunsinger (middle) is also pictured.
Ashley and Jessica were each presented a trophy and award certificate on March 31. In addition, Jessica received $500 and Ashley received $250 from the AITP National Conference.
Our student chapter was the only chapter in a 5-state region to win or place in a competition.
Jessica's paper examined the factors that influence whether CIS majors join their student AITP chapter. Ashley's paper looked at the factors influencing females to become CIS majors.
The students held a steak dinner and silent auction to raise funds to travel to the competition. Alana Irek, the Student President of the ASU chapter said she is hoping the national competition "will be an annual event for AITP in the future".
Irek was recently honored on the Appalachian campus with a Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL) Presidential Award.
"Alana has done a great job with AITP", said Hunsinger. "A few short years ago the club was ‘near death’ with a membership level of 10. Current membership level is over 90 students!"
AITP is open to all majors who are interested in technology.
Future plans for the club include guest speakers and several members are working on a paper to submit to a peer reviewed journal/conference in November.
