Profiles

Dr. Olayele Adelakun.

Olayele Adelakun is an Assistant Professor of MIS at DePaul University's School of Computing and Digital Media. His research focuses on IT Outsourcing, ERP systems implementation, and Information systems quality and Evaluation. He has conducted case studies in both medium size companies and multinational companies in Finland and the United States. He was the chairman of the 2001 and 2002 IT outsourcing conference and the moderator of the 2003 offshore outsourcing panel discussion at DePaul University. He started the study abroad program at CDM in 1993. He has been published in over thirty articles, books and journals. He holds an M.S. in Information Processing Science from University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland and Ph.D. in Information Systems from the Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, Turku, Finland.

Stephanie Feeney.

Stephanie is currently pursuing a Master's in Science in Information Systems with a concentration on Business Intelligence at DePaul's College of Computing and Digital Media. With a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, Stephanie spent five years in the financial services sector with experience in marketing, operations and finance, in addition to considerable international exposure. Her current focus is on providing IT solutions to organizations that enable stakeholders to answer business questions having done a proper analysis of the data at their disposal. Stephanie's experience and background brought an understanding of the economy and the marriage between business and technology to Brazil.

David Berg

David is a combined degree student pursuing a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Information Assurance and Security Engineering and Network Technologies, and a Masters degree in Computer Information and Network Security at DePaul's College of Computing and Digital Media. David has spent the past 3 years providing support for a local IT firm and is also an employee at DePaul's Network and Security Labs. David's current focus is on penetration testing and security assessment, he is a member of DePaul's National Cyber League Team, he is a US Cyber Challenge finalist and invitee, and he is active in many on campus organizations. David's experience and understanding of IT, web design, and his research experience helped enhance a stellar team effort abroad.

Ethan Vasilko

Ethan is currently a sophomore at DePaul University's College of Computing and Digital Media pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology. He presently works with the university's technological provisioning branch, known as Information Services, as a support assistant. He has been working within the university ecosystem since his arrival on campus in January of 2011. Ethan has received multiple certifications from major IT vendors, most notably CompTIA and Microsoft. Due to his work related experience, Ethan brings technical comprehension and an ability to seamlessly share that knowledge with the team.

Isabel Reyes.

Isabel is an undergraduate student at DePaul University pursuing a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Accountancy. She is actively involved on campus as a member of the Midwest Association of Hispanic Accountants (MAHA) and holding board positions in Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority Inc., The DePaul Women's Volleyball Club Team, and DePaul's Mobile Application Team (DMAT). Isabel's interests in technology include information technology, computer programming, and project management. Experiencing and analyzing information technology (IT) clusters in Brazil strengthened her understanding of IT in emerging countries, management structures, and interactions between developers and users of technologies.

Carlita Gay

As a Sociology undergraduate student, Carlita's main lens is focused on society. Her pursuits concentrate on how societies operate, how individuals function in society with varying cultural traditions, and the role of environment in the development of the individual and society at large. Studying in Brazil continued to contribute to her research in sociology, as well as to a larger discussion on global affairs. When analyzing the IT sector in Brazil, Carlita's unique perspective brought an additional dimension to meetings and group discussion. A sociological background and perspective, mixed with many different focuses within the group, lead to a very positive experience that will allow her to merge the world of IT and sociology.

Walid Matariyeh .

Walid is pursuing a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance. He was most interested in learning more about the differences in American and Brazilian commerce. Speaking with high ranking officials of established information technology companies helped him develop a greater appreciation for the difficulties that the Brazilian tax rates can cause. Learning about the infrastructure of Brazil as well as its amazing culture has definitely generated a desire to re-visit Brazil in order to learn more. Brazil was a great experience for Walid, ultimately helping him learn more about the IT industry and the continued maturity of Brazil.

Tochukwu Ibe .

Tochukwu is currently studying to complete his Bachelor's degree in Information Systems with a minor in Marketing. After graduation, he will be joining TransUnion as a business analyst. Tochukwu already has internship experience in the role as a business analyst. His background proved crucial to the trip as he was able to further explain of the types of technology used in Brazil to the rest of his team. His experience helped bring the team together and gave them a better background of the Brazilian technology used at each of the organizations visited.

Aileen Macariola.

Aileen is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Human Computer Interaction and, after graduation, is planning to start a career focusing on user experience. In Brazil, Aileen's research involvement was to identify the role of IT clusters in improving economic growth and global competition and examine the surrounding conditions that influence rivalry among IT clusters in Brazil. Drawing from both her knowledge and personal experience in developing countries, Aileen is able to bring a unique perspective to a "country of contrasts." Of her experiences as a DePaul student, none have been as remarkable as having seen a new country, spoken a new language, and met its people.

Tiffany Powell.

Tiffany is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Advertising with a concentration in Latino Studies at DePaul University. The study abroad experience gave Tiffany a chance to learn about IT companies and their links to the rest of the world. She loved being immersed in the language and culture of Brazil and plans on returning to learn and experience more.

Martin Bahena.

Martin is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance with a minor in International Business and Spanish. He plans to graduate by June 2013. The tour to Brazil was Martin's second time in South America. He has studied abroad in China, Spain, Argentina and Chile. Martin plans to study abroad for the 2012-2013 spring semester to Brazil and become fluent in Portuguese. With a clear international focus, Martin plans to work for a firm that will allow him to utilize his language skills, explore cultures, and further develop his experience abroad.

Kimberly Randall.

Kimberly Randall is an undergraduate student attending DePaul University studying Information Systems and will be graduating in 2013. She is currently enrolled in DePaul's cooperative education program which allows undergraduate's students to integrate classroom study with periods of work experience related to their academic major. Kimberly is currently on assignment at Argonne National Laboratory. She has over 20 years' experience as a business analyst, and has been on three major implementation teams for Nicor, Alliance Athena, and MetLife. Her goal is to integrate her business analyst experience with her education in information systems. The recent work in Brazil provided Kim the opportunity to be exposed to foreign business practices, and standards in the nation of Brazil, a rapidly emerging global economic influence.