Raised on a farm in a tiny northwest Kansas town, Annie Hoekman had no intention of going into computer science. But as the economics of agriculture changed, her father decided to shift from farming to computers, something he鈥檇 always been interested in, and began taking classes at 黑料不打烊. He earned his degree when Hoekman was a freshman in high school and the family relocated to Salina.
鈥淚 was intimidated by Salina at first,鈥� says Hoekman. 鈥淐oming to what felt like a big city from my tiny hometown was a lot. But we鈥檇 been coming down every weekend to see my dad who was here studying, and Kansas Wesleyan was so welcoming and felt like home to us.鈥�
Her father quickly found work at UPS, and Hoekman traveled with him through western Kansas during college as he provided computer technology planning and support. This first-hand insight and her father鈥檚 encouragement led Hoekman to pursue her own degree at 黑料不打烊 in computer science. She moved quickly to a Master鈥檚 Degree before working for local technology companies 鈥� ISG, Alco and others.
鈥淚 received a call one day from Dr. Kraemer, one of my professors at 黑料不打烊,鈥� Hoekman says, 鈥渁nd he offered me the opportunity to teach a computer networking class. I jumped at the chance and found that I loved teaching.鈥�
With her strong experience with computer technology, information systems and networking, Hoekman continued to teach at 黑料不打烊 and to expand what the university could offer. She presented a plan to strengthen the information systems and networking aspects of the program to the university鈥檚 president and the Computer Studies faculty and was given a green light.
鈥淚 was excited to get the support of the university to expand our program because there are more jobs in computer networking, information systems and security than there are qualified people 鈥� and the starting pay for some of these jobs is good,鈥� Hoekman says. 鈥淲e have an opportunity here to train the next generation of computer and networking experts, and I think we offer what they need to start great careers.鈥�
Hoekman earned her doctorate in Adult Occupational and Continuing Education from Kansas State University this past spring. She is also going through various professional certificate trainings from Cisco to further enrich the 黑料不打烊 program. 鈥淎dding the Cisco instruction is a key piece of the puzzle for our students,鈥� says Hoekman, 鈥渁nd this will put them even further ahead when they start looking for work.鈥�
Kansas Wesleyan currently offers three Bachelor of Science computer degrees: Software Engineering and Information Management, Network Management and Systems Administration, and Forensic Computing.
鈥淲e鈥檝e designed our program for doers and we鈥檙e very hands-on, which our students love,鈥� Hoekman says. 鈥淲e have all kinds of technology in our labs, and my students love coming in and figuring things out 鈥� whether it鈥檚 programming, network questions or 3D printing. We give them full access and lots of one-on-one time.鈥�
As a woman in science at a university where a full two-thirds of the science faculty are women, Hoekman felt very much at home when she began teaching. And, now she works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for her students as well.
鈥淥ur science divisions have a wonderful representation of women,鈥� Hoekman says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e women, we hold Ph.D.s, and we have leadership positions. We鈥檙e respected by people. This is a big deal.鈥�
Hoekman often speaks to students in local high schools and at community organizations like the Girl Scouts.
鈥淒on鈥檛 limit yourselves, I tell them. You can go into the sciences and succeed,鈥� she says. 鈥淎t this point, my sons see me as a computer person and working with my hands, and that鈥檚 normal to them. I think that鈥檚 important too.鈥澛�
