Name: Dr. Kenneth E. Martin
Title: Professor of Computer and Information Sciences
Company: University of North Florida
Contact Info: kmartin@unf.edu
http://www.unf.edu/~kmartin/
How I arrived at my present job (academic and other influences): I have served stints as department chair and vice president for academic affairs and then decided to go back to my first career choice: teaching and doing research. I have been blessed to have been to good schools and have been the beneficiary of outstanding teaching. My role now is to give back and to ensure that my students are well-prepared for an entry-level job and lifelong learning.
How I organize my day: Lot of checking of email to stay in touch with my students..lots of preparation time and lots of correcting programs. No two days are the same. I try to enjoy some time on the beach EVERY day and spend about an hour jogging most days. Bicyling and enjoying my family also are high priorities.
Amount of time spent working daily (at home and office): Probably too much, but I do enjoy the field immensely. My home office is equipped so that I can do a large amount of work from home. It is not unusual to spend 12 hours or more per day working, but I try to mix recreation in with that. I also try to stay current..which doesn't FEEL like work!
What I do to get myself thinking creatively: Go to the beach and run and run and run! Then think and jot things down quickly, saving the refinements for later.
My problem-solving strategy: I used a top-down approach and try to remember tools that I have learned over the years. Most everything that has been learned has a way of creeeping back into one's life for eventual use!
What I do to relieve stress: Exercise..listen to music..collect art..enjoy the beach..and travel!
My hero, mentor, or person I most admire and why: A college teacher whom everyone thought was too tough..and incredible man who worked us hard and took pride in our results.
What I do to mentor those who work for me: Give praise when it is due and continually remind folks (students) that performance counts!
How a negative event changed my life in a positive way: Tough administrative jobs made me appreciate the academic life and its values.
One event or decision in my life I wish I could go back and change: I would take more risks earlier in my career..the fear of failing is a great inhibitor.
What values are the most important to me and what I value in others: Honesty, integrity, hard work, and a sense of fair play.
What inspires, motivates, or gets me excited about my job on a daily basis: My students!
Biography: Author of C Through UNIX, Wm. C. Brown Publishers with Instructor's Manual (163 pages) and diskettes, 1992. Other publications include subject matter like Java, JavaScript, and more, available from his webpage. He serves as the Awards Vice-Chair of the IEEE-CS Technical Activities Board (TAB), Educational Activities Board of the IEEE-CS, and Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, appointed by ACM (Vice President in 1998-1999, CSAC Liaison in 1998-99, and President in 1999-2000).
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Location: www.acm.org/crossroads/dayinlife/bios/kenneth_martin.html