ICN News

Although students and teachers do not often see the faces behind the scenes at the ICN, numerous individuals keep the network running smoothly. Joseph Cassis, Tami Fujinaka, and Gail McMahon are three of the individuals who play a vital role keeping the ICN working properly and visible to the public. In addition, these individuals and others are constantly working on new ways to utilize the ICN technology to meet future needs of Iowa students and teachers.

In his role as Deputy Director of the ICN, Joseph Cassis provides direction relating to Corporate Marketing and Communications (including PR), training, strategic planning, IT, policy development, office management including video scheduling, and State Operator functions. In addition to these key responsibilities, he is also Chief of Staff for the Executive Director.

Cassis has a myriad of experiences that provided him with the foundation for his current position, ranging from working several years at a Iowa-based telecom provider as the Vice President of Application Development to being the president/owner of a marketing and internet firm. He also spent several years developing computer systems at major corporations located in Chicago, was Vice President of Communications for a commodity association, and held the position of Director of Marketing within Alumni Services at University of Iowa. His education includes a psychology degree in behavioral modification and a double MBA in management information systems and marketing. Cassis feels that these well-balanced educational experiences helped him, “to develop a bridge between the technology (left brain thinking) and application/creative efforts (right brain thinking) to communicate the capabilities that technology can bring to improve our communities more efficiently and effectively.”

As the Government Relations Manager, Tami Fujinaka works closely with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to develop strategies to work with various government agencies and entities including the Iowa Legislature, the state executive branch agencies, and federal and local entities. She is also the liaison to the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission and develops the commission’s administrative rules. Along with Cassis and Gail McMahon, she is a member of the agency’s Corporate Marketing and Communications Team.

Prior to her current position, Fujinaka worked for several Midwest industry associations and chambers of commerce in a legislative manager role. She also worked four years as an analyst for a state legislative agency. Her education includes a BA in Political Science from Central College and a MBA from Drake University.

As the ICN Public Relations Manager, Gail McMahon works as part of the Corporate Marketing and Communications team, which also includes Cassis, Fujinaka, and the ICN Webmaster, to establish, promote, and maintain a positive identity for the Agency. An additional new focus for the team is to provide training for customers on various ICN-related subjects, from the technical to non-technical. McMahon works closely with the educational arena, media and general public to promote and encourage use of the ICN. This includes, but is not limited to, writing and distributing press releases, representing ICN by attending, presenting, and exhibiting at appropriate conferences or meetings and creating content for the Web site. She is often a first point of contact for educators who have questions about ICN.

Prior to her current position, McMahon worked in college admissions for 15 years in Iowa, as an admissions counselor and as Director of Admissions for a two-year business college. She holds a journalism degree from Iowa State University and worked in radio broadcasting immediately after completing her degree. She also worked in college admissions on the East Coast for six years before returning to Iowa.

Cassis, Fujinaka and McMahon feel that the current role of the ICN is to support distance learning through the videoconference environment, whether by broadcasting through the ICN video classrooms or through IP-based technology. The ICN allows schools to successfully access curriculum supplements available from all over the world as well as share local classroom resources using quality two-way video conferencing. The ICN provides many high quality student opportunities, as well as a growing number of professional development sessions now available for teachers, school support staff, and administrators. In addition to the videoconference benefits of the ICN, Internet access is also provided to schools through the ICN. According to Cassis, “The Internet is a powerful learning tool and what the ICN brings is the broadband through which this 'equalizer of opportunity' can enhance students' enrichment” All three feel that the ICN is particularly vital as a way to share resources and expand opportunities for students and teachers.

As they plan for the future, this team feels strongly that the ICN must stay current with the trends that are becoming increasingly more evident. Cassis notes a “significant increase in bandwidth usage (the Internet usage). It has almost doubled in the past 3 years.” Schools are using Internet services at an exponential rate. IP services, in particularly, are becoming increasingly popular due to their mobility. All three feel that today’s students are different from students of even a decade ago. Students today have an expectation of communication at all times and in all locations. As McMahon mentions, “In this global economy, students want and need more opportunities to broaden their horizons and better prepare them for college.”

To address these trends, the team feels that the ICN needs to be adaptable and accessibility should continue to be a focus. Broadband access only to the schools will not meet future needs. Fujinaka notes, “As the world is moving to using Internet Protocol for voice, video and data services, the key for value of the ICN is that it can adapt to any IP technology.” Regardless of future demands, the ICN will continue to provide Iowa and its students with a solid fiber optic network that, with its bandwidth and flexibility, can be adapted to meet the new challenges. Cassis, Fujinaka and McMahon are committed to ensuring that this valuable resource continues to move forward and meet the needs of schools across Iowa.