Alumni Spotlight: Eric Savage

Alumni Spotlight: Eric Savage

By Jennifer Woodard

Meet Eric Savage, a 2014 Bellevue University graduate with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

Where are you currently working, and what is your role within the organization?

I am currently employed at Seymour & Moulton Community School Districts in Seymour and Moulton, Iowa as their Technology Coordinator.  My time is split 50/50 between the schools.

What are some of your job responsibilities?

I am in charge of all Technology throughout both schools.  One school uses Macs and Chromebooks while the other uses Microsoft Windows so I’m responsible for a wide range of issues.  The responsibilities include, but are not limited to: resetting passwords, creating emails (both schools use domains through Google), fixing Chromebook issues such as broken monitors, bad batteries and broken chargers , monitoring and keeping the network WiFi going, keeping the security software up to date and verifying scans, recommending tech purchases and purchasing the equipment or software, working with Promethean Board issues such as projector not projecting, pen not calibrating properly and keeping drivers up to date, keeping the Web pages up to date, and creating accounts in Active Directory.  I could go on, but you probably get the picture.  It is just me in the “Tech Department” so if it is a Tech related issue, I am the one that deals with it.

Tell us what you loved most about your Bellevue University Experience:

There are two things that stood out the most about Bellevue:

Professor Ron Woerner went out of his way in the beginning to help me learn more about Bellevue and helped me get as much information as I needed. If it weren’t for him being so involved with answering all my questions, I don’t believe I would have made the transition to Bellevue.

I loved working with all the Professors throughout the Cybersecurity field. Whenever I had a question, they were answering me within the day if not within a few hours.  The one thing they made sure you knew was that no question was too stupid.  If you were asking it, you didn’t understand and that is what they were there to help you do.  Throughout my three degrees, I found that the Professors at Bellevue were the best I had dealt with.

Do you have any special memories to share?

I’d have to say that my biggest special memory (when it comes to my education with Bellevue) that I have is the Graduation Open House.  I got to meet, in person, two of my Professors.  Since I was an online student, I had no face to face contact until that night.  One was Professor Woerner and one was Professor Frederick Donovan.  Just getting to talk to them in person and talk about the journey I had just finished was a big moment for me.  Then, at graduation, when the staff was walking out, Professor Donovan stopped in my area to shake my hand and congratulate me.  It made me feel proud to be a graduate of Bellevue University.

On a personal note, the biggest special memory I have is that my wife and kids, parents, siblings, brother-in-law, and niece and nephews were all in Council Bluffs for the graduation.  We spent time together celebrating what I had just accomplished.  My wife and kids and I also went to the Omaha Zoo.  That was amazing and some place I’d love to go back to.  It was one of those weekends you just wished didn’t end.  If it weren’t for my family’s support throughout the whole process, I don’t know how far I would have made it.

What advice do you have for current students?

You’ve probably heard it time and time again, but never give up.  It might seem like things hit rock bottom while trying to obtain your degree/s, but the end result is worth it.  Also, never be afraid to ask questions.  That is how you learn. If you do not ask the question, you may never learn the answer.

Tell us about your hobbies and interests:

Apart from working with computers, I play Call of Duty.  It is my release after a long day of work.  I also love watching and keeping up with the NFL.  I have a favorite team but I love football in general.  There are only a few teams I do not root for.  I do keep up with the NBA and MLB but not as much as I used to.  I follow college basketball and football more than those two.  I was born and raised in Arkansas so I am a Hog fan and enjoy keeping up with all their sports, but mainly their football team.