About Illinois Tech

Brian Vanderjack is an Adjunct Industry Professor at Illinois Tech, where he teaches the course "Project Management for Information Technology and Management." This course focuses on the principles and practices of project management specifically tailored for IT and management contexts. Students learn essential skills such as project planning, execution, monitoring, and closure, with an emphasis on methodologies and tools relevant to the technology sector.

Daniel Krieglstein is an Adjunct Instructor in Information Technology and Management at Illinois Tech. He teaches the course "Fundamentals of Web Development," which provides students with essential skills in web technologies, programming languages, and best practices for developing interactive and user-friendly web applications. The course covers topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design, equipping students with the foundational knowledge needed to create effective web solutions.

Dr. Rob Nelson is an Adjunct Faculty member at Illinois Tech, where he specializes in marketing strategy. He brings over 20 years of global experience in marketing, communications, strategic business development, innovation, and management, having worked with Fortune 100 companies, startups, and international organizations. His extensive industry background spans various sectors, including healthcare, insurance, banking, retail, high-tech, and higher education. At Illinois Tech, Dr. Nelson teaches courses on marketing, branding, strategic marketing, and business innovation at the MBA and master's levels, often integrating live projects with companies and startups into his curriculum. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Marketing from Grenoble Ecole de Management and an MBA in Strategic Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Additionally, Dr. Nelson is a faculty member at the Jack Welch Management Institute, where he has earned recognition as Associate Professor of the Year with consistently outstanding NPS scores of 100.

Gady Agam is an instructor at Illinois Tech, where he teaches the course "Deep Learning." This course provides an in-depth exploration of deep learning techniques and applications, focusing on neural networks, backpropagation, and various optimization methods. Students will engage with practical assignments and discussions to enhance their understanding of how deep learning can be applied across different fields.

Gerald Balekaki is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Illinois Tech, where he teaches courses in relational databases. His courses include "Introduction to Relational Databases," "Relational Database Design," and "Relational Database Implementation and Applications." In these courses, students learn fundamental concepts of relational database systems, including database design, SQL querying, and practical applications of database management. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience with database implementation, indexing, and the development of database-driven applications, preparing students for careers in data management and software development

Hannah Ringler is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Director of the Communication Across the Curriculum program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Her research integrates methods from language studies and natural language processing, focusing on how technology can enhance writing education. In her role, she oversees the university's writing curriculum, ensuring that communication skills are effectively taught across various disciplines. Hannah has experience teaching courses in academic and technical writing, first-year composition, rhetorical grammar, and computational text analysis. Her work emphasizes the importance of writing as a critical skill in today's technological landscape.

James Papademas is an Industry Associate Professor in the Information Technology and Management department at Illinois Tech. He teaches several courses, including "Introduction to Open Source Application Development," "Introduction to Open Source Operating Systems" (both Bachelor's and Master's levels), and "Open Source Programming" (also at both Bachelor's and Master's levels). His courses focus on the principles and practices of open source technologies, providing students with a solid foundation in application development, operating systems, and programming within the open source ecosystem.

Jeffrey A. Berk serves as the Chief Operating Officer for a technology firm in Chicago and is also an adjunct instructor at Illinois Tech, where he teaches a graduate course on operations and process management. With extensive international experience in operations and process management, he has contributed to various projects and has been a sought-after speaker in the field. Berk's insights have been featured in numerous publications, underscoring his expertise. He is also the author of Champions of Change: The Manager's Guide to Creating Sustainable Business Process Improvements, where he shares strategies for effective process enhancement in organizations.

Jeremy Hajek is an Industry Associate Professor in the Information Technology and Management department at Illinois Tech. He teaches courses including "Introduction to Open Source Operating Systems" at both the Bachelor's and Master's levels. These courses provide students with foundational knowledge and skills in open source operating systems, covering installation, configuration, and management, as well as the principles underlying open source software development.

Kevin Vaccaro is an Adjunct Industry Professor at Illinois Tech, where he teaches a variety of courses focused on computer networking, operating systems, and security. His course offerings include Computer Networking, Computer and Peripheral Hardware, Linux OS, Microsoft Windows OS, Mobile Computing and Cloud, and OS Security. These courses are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of computer hardware, networking protocols, and operating system functionalities. Through practical projects and real-world examples, students develop essential skills in configuring, troubleshooting, and securing various computing platforms and networks.

Liad Wagman holds the prestigious John and Mae Calamos Dean Endowed Chair and is a professor of economics at the Stuart School of Business at Illinois Tech. He serves as an Academic Affiliate at the Office of Global Services for Law and Economics and has held numerous significant positions, including Senior Economic and Technology Advisor at the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Policy Planning and Competition Fellow at the Data Catalyst Institute. His academic contributions include roles as a Visiting Associate Professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a Visiting Scholar at Duke University's Economics Department. Additionally, Wagman has been involved in research at the Duke University Computer Science Department and the Social Sciences Research Institute, and he worked at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. He has received several accolades, including the Program for Advanced Study in the Social Sciences Fellowship, the Education and Research Initiative Award, the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Best Paper Award, and the Outstanding Paper Award at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence.

M. Krishna Erramilli is the Director of Graduate Business Programs, Associate Dean, and Professor of Marketing at the Stuart School of Business. With over 30 years of professional experience across North America, Africa, and Asia, he has worked in the industry in India and Nigeria. Additionally, he has taught at various universities in the U.S. and Singapore, bringing a diverse and global perspective to his academic role.

Marian Cook is an Adjunct Faculty member at Illinois Tech, where she teaches the course "Digital Transformation." In this course, students explore the impact of digital technologies on organizations and society, examining strategies for leveraging digital tools to enhance business processes and drive innovation. Marian's expertise in digital transformation equips students with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of technology adoption and implementation in various industries.

Marwan Omar is an Associate Professor at Illinois Tech, where he teaches a variety of courses focused on cloud computing and data modeling, including Cloud Computing Technologies at both the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, as well as Data Modeling and Applications. His courses delve into the fundamentals of cloud computing architectures, services, and applications, equipping students with essential knowledge. Professor Omar's expertise in cloud computing security, machine learning, and natural language processing allows him to provide a comprehensive understanding of these advanced technologies and their practical applications in the real world.

Michael Rybak is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), currently serving as a Clinical Associate Professor of Finance at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Stuart School of Business. He specializes in teaching graduate-level investment courses, including Financial Statement Analysis (Applications), Asset Valuation, Corporate Finance, and Investment Banking. Prior to his tenure at Illinois Tech, he spent 12 years teaching finance courses at DePaul University, bringing extensive experience to his students in the field of finance.

Nik Rokop is the Director of the Master of Technological Entrepreneurship program at Illinois Tech, where he teaches the course "New Tech Ventures." This program is designed for aspiring high-tech entrepreneurs, providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to transform their innovative ideas into successful business ventures. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration, networking, and hands-on experiences, drawing on resources from Illinois Tech’s Stuart School of Business, Institute of Design, and Chicago-Kent College of Law. Through the program's capstone project, students apply their learning to real-world entrepreneurial challenges, preparing them for leadership roles in technology-driven industries.

Philip Matuszak is an Adjunct Industry Associate Professor in the Information Technology and Management department at Illinois Tech. He teaches several courses, including "Introduction to Data Networks and the Internet" at both the Bachelor's and Master's levels, as well as "Operating System Virtualization" for both degree levels. These courses provide students with foundational knowledge in data networking concepts, internet technologies, and virtualization techniques, preparing them for careers in IT infrastructure and network management. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and practical applications, Professor Matuszak equips students with the skills needed to effectively design, implement, and manage modern data networks and virtualized operating systems.

Kiah Ong is the Associate Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Applied Mathematics at Illinois Tech. He teaches several courses, including "Linear Regression," "Model Diagnostics and Remedial Measures," and "Variable Selection, Model Validation, Nonlinear Regression." His courses focus on statistical modeling techniques, providing students with the necessary skills to analyze data effectively and make informed decisions based on their findings. Through a combination of theoretical concepts and practical applications, Kiah Ong prepares students for advanced studies and careers in data analysis and applied mathematics.

Elizabeth J. Durango-Cohen serves as an Associate Professor of Operations Management and holds the M. Zia Hassan Endowed Professorship at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart School of Business. In addition to her teaching role, she is the Assistant Director of the M.S. in Marketing Analytics program and the Executive Director of the Center for Advancing Corporate Performance. Dr. Durango-Cohen earned her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California, Berkeley, where her research focused on production planning and inventory control within the realm of supply chain management.