Name: Shelly Heller
Title: Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Company: George Washington University
Contact:
http://tangle.seas.gwu.edu/~sheller
How I arrived at my present job (academic and other influences): I actually started out as a chemistry major but when I came to DC in 1964, the FBI told me that they only hired women as secretaries, not chemists. I took a job at Planning Research Corporation and then filled in my studies with a masters and a PhD. I have been a full professor for two years, moving slowly up the academic rank, partly as I took my time completing my education and my family.
How I organize my day: I try to keep Mondays for research and teaching preparation. After that, I think the day organizes me!
Amount of time spent working daily (at home and office): Too much office time! I get to work about 8am and often do not leave until after 7pm. I try to do no work at all on Saturday, I read for enjoyment and sometimes I allow a dissertation to sneak in to my Saturday reading.
What I do to get myself thinking creatively: I find that talking with my long-time co-researcher, Dianne Martin is the best way to get those juices flowing. Second to that is a long walk or a exercise session. Meeting with students usually gets me to focus and create lists - the lists form a self-brainstorming effort.
My problem-solving strategy: I, unfortunately, usually follow my first thought instead of cooly sizing up the situation.
What I do to relieve stress: Play tennis - put the names of folk who get to me on the tennis balls.
My hero, mentor, or person I most admire and why: My research partner, Dianne Martin. She is clear thinking, supportive, not afraid to work hard and yet she always puts her family first.
What I do to mentor those who work for me: I try to be honest and forthright about how I handle issues. I try to tell them to spend more time on family.
How a negative event changed my life in a positive way: The FBI turned me into a computer scientist!
One event or decision in my life I wish I could go back and change: None - I am happy with my life, work and situation.
What values are the most important to me and what I value in others: I value a honest relationship with people. I promise to give my best and finest effort and I expect others to do the same.
What inspires, motivates, or gets me excited about my job on a daily basis: Solving problems for students.
Biography: Dr. Heller received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from SUNY, Stony Brook, a M.S. in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Educational Uses of Computers from the University of Maryland. Her work experience includes IBM and the Planning Research Corporation as well as faculty positions at the University of Maryland and Trinity College. She coauthored a syndicated newspaper column, "All About Computers" from 1982 to 1986.
Dr. Heller is currently an associate professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at The George Washington University. She is the author and coauthor of numerous books and papers in the field of computers in education and has spoken at national and international computer conferences including the World Conferences on Educational Computing and the 1990 Conference on New Technologies in Education held in the USSR. She was a guest lecturer at the invitation of the Soviet Academy of Sciences in 1986 and 1989.
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Location: www.acm.org/crossroads/dayinlife/bios/shelly_heller.html