Q & A with Kostas Yfantis, CITES Client Relations Manager

Q: You've been with the University for 14 years. What are some ways that your familiarity with the campus culture has benefited your job progression? What are some ways that people new to the University can get involved?

I completed my undergraduate studies here and I have worked as an academic hourly, a Visiting Academic Professional and an Academic Professional. This progression alone has helped me understand some of the intricate policies and rules that govern employment at our institution. One of the most invigorating experiences I have undertaken is to take classes at the University. It connects you to the contemporary realities of our faculty and our students. Not only it is an excellent form of professional development, it also allows you to view your job from a different angle, and most importantly, it reminds you of whom we are here to serve.

Getting involved is easy! There are so many intellectually stimulating and entertaining events going on at our campus that even the most demanding tastes can be fulfilled. I strongly encourage my colleagues to look at the calendars of the University YMCA, the Center for Advanced Study and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and select among the myriad choices.

Q: One of the projects you're involved with is the Council of Academic Professionals (CAP). How did this program come about, and how does it benefit Academic Professionals at Illinois? What are ways APs can get involved?

The Council of Academic Professionals was established in 1973 as a representative body to provide advice to the Chancellor on behalf of academic professionals. It gives APs an opportunity to express directly their views to the highest levels of administration. Furthermore, CAP has a set of important programs: the Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Awards (CAPE) awards, which are designed to recognize the contributions of APs; the Academic Professional Development Fund.

(APDF), which provides a monetary supplement for professional development activities and a Grievance Process that can mediate and arbitrate when issues arise at the workplace. I would advise fellow APs to contact their AP representative and ask them how to get involved. The CAP monthly meetings are open to APs and attending is perhaps the best way to understand the functions of CAP. Visit the Web site and jot down the next date and location: http://cap.illinois.edu

Q: In your job with Educational Technologies as Instructional Designer and Training Specialist, you work with a variety of faculty skill levels in a high-tech field. What are some things you've learned about your own working style that you didn't know before? What are some challenges you had to overcome and how did you do it?

I started working in the field of educational technology in the mid-1990s. Back then, the World Wide Web was still a new phenomenon and the field was expanding rapidly. Faculty needed a lot of hand-holding in developing online instructional resources. Today, the landscape is dramatically different: faculty are very web-savvy, the Internet is truly ubiquitous and an array of wireless gadgets threaten the existence of desktops and laptops combined. These developments provide a lot of fertile ground for eLearning to keep growing and enriching the learning experience.

 Very recently, I transitioned to a new role in as a client relationship consultant and acting manager of client relationship management. We're part of the Service Center that works with other units within CITES to ensure that the voice of our customers are being heard throughout the service lifecycle--from the development of a new service to the retirement of existing services. The group that I lead will focus on working with those on campus who need specialized consultation to define how their IT needs can be met by CITES services and on nurturing strong and meaningful relationships with all our client constituencies.

 Q: In your free time, you're also engaged in politics and environmental activism. Are there aspects in these activities that relate well to your work? Does it help you relax? Any other activities?

Today, information technology permeates all aspects of our lives and leveraging it can be a very good weapon to win battles in the political arena and in promoting environmental sustainability. I bought my very first computer because I ran for political office (I could not use my University-provided laptop to design my campaign Web site). Engagement in politics relaxes me because it gives me the opportunity to talk with a lot of people from all walks of life. Connecting to humans, especially when it is direct and not mediated by a device or a computer, is very fulfilling. To relax, I depend on swimming, traveling, bonding with family & friends, playing board games and yes, endlessly (but logically) arguing about politics!

Q: What do you like best about your job and living in Champaign- Urbana-Savoy?

I like working with cutting-edge technology and my job in CITES provides me this opportunity. Furthermore, interacting with the cutting-edge brains carried by colleagues, students and faculty is invigorating, inspiring and <joke>frequently it rubs off</joke>. With a world-class center for the performing arts, two cities with vibrant downtowns, a farmers market and proximity to one of the world's greatest cities, I think there are very few communities we need to envy. If only we had seashore that got wet by the Mediterranean Sea and a few mountains to gaze at... But my friends and family make up for these!

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