“Tech Talk USA” with Becky Vasquez from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

26 Apr “Tech Talk USA” with Becky Vasquez from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Each week on “Tech Talk USA,” our host Kirk Brown sits down with experts in the information technology world. This week, Kirk sat down to talk to Becky Vasquez from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Embry-Riddle educates 33,500+ students in all aspects of aviation, aviation business, aerospace, engineering and STEM-related fields at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, at approximately 125 Worldwide Campus locations and through online degree programs.

To learn more, visit https://erau.edu

Short company description: Embry-Riddle educates 33,500+ students in all aspects of aviation, aviation business, aerospace, engineering and STEM-related fields at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, at approximately 125 Worldwide Campus locations and through online degree programs.

What is your competitive differentiator?: We are the world’s leading hands-on aviation and aerospace institution, and also the nation’s No. 1 provider of online bachelor’s degree programs.

How did you get started in the technology field?: My love for technology began in the 6th grade when I had an opportunity to write my first computer program. Early in my career, I started by working at a Help Desk answering troubleshooting calls and doing my best to provide solutions over the phone.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenge when bridging the gap between IT and the overall business for most companies?: The correlation of strategic and operational business objectives with IT strategy.

What is the best or most worthwhile technology investment that you have made in the past 10 years?: Oh my…so many! Cloud based investments. In particular, anything that closely impacts the teaching and learning environment such as Canvas by Instructure.

What are the areas of technology that you see as being the most impactful to the business world in the next 5 years?: Cyber security, AI, and collaboration technologies.