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The position of second vice president of STC is a very important one because the person elected will automatically become first vice president and then president. I would appreciate your vote for second vice president of STC.
My experience with STC began in 1984 when I became a member. In 1985, I developed the technical and professional communication major for Cedarville University where I have now taught for more than twenty years. In 1988, I chartered the Cedarville University Student chapter, which I have advised since its beginning. The value that I have received from my membership in STC is immeasurable. Through chapter meetings, publications, and conferences—both regional and annual—I have learned so much while developing a professional network as well as a network of friends.
I began my involvement on the international level in 1992 as manager of Sigma Tau Chi. That quickly led to manager of the Jay R. Gould Award, judging for the Ken Caird Student Article Competition, reviewer of proposals for the STC Annual Conference, and onsite judge for the International Technical Publications Competition. I am currently serving on the STC Board in my fourth year as Assistant to the President for Academic and Research Programs. In that capacity, I am responsible for eight committees.
I was named Fellow in 2001, received the Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence in Teaching Technical Communication, and named Associate Fellow in 1996.
As full Professor at Cedarville University, I have directed the technical and professional communication program since its beginning. My responsibilities, in addition to teaching a full course load, include developing curriculum, securing and supervising fulltime and adjunct faculty, advising students, supervising independent studies, placing and supervising student internships, and advising the STC student chapter.
In addition, I have served as an independent consultant, contract writer, and trainer since 1976. In 1997, I received the STC Faculty Internship Grant and worked as a Communications Manager in a technical marketing communication firm. In 2002, I co-authored Technical Marketing Communication, part of the Technical Communication Series published by Allyn & Bacon/Longman.
For almost twenty years, my passion has been to prepare young people to make a significant contribution to the profession of technical communication. That role has kept me focused on core competencies, emerging technologies, and communities of practice. My current position on the STC board for the past four years has provided many opportunities to work at the Society level with initiatives such as research grants and special opportunities grants, as well as chapter-level activities in helping to develop mentoring guidelines and education committees.
In the last few years, the growth of communities of practice has broadened our traditional definition of technical communication. This is evidenced by the significant growth in the STC SIGs—which now number more than 20 with a total membership of 26,441. If we are to be effective as the leading professional organization for technical communication, we must actively embrace those non-traditional groups such as technical marketing communicators, usability experts, instructional designers, Web designers, and others who make up the workforce of today's technical communicators. The challenge is to help the employers and employees alike to perceive them as the technical communicators they are.
I believe that all these experiences prepare me to fulfill the responsibilities of the second vice president of STC, as well as first vice president, and finally the president. The Academic Vice President, my Dean and Department Chair have pledged their full support should I be elected second vice president. This support will be evidenced by a decreased teaching load as well as financial support for the travel involved in the position.
When it is time to vote in the STC election, please take the time to go online or mark your ballot and vote for Sandi Harner—STC Second Vice President.
For more information, see www.sandiharner.com