Employee Focus on Matt Jewett
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Matt Jewett
Current Title: Assistant Director – IT, HIPAA Privacy Officer
Hometown: Portsmouth, Ohio
Degrees and Institutions Attended: BS, Computer Science, The Ohio State University
Years of Employment at the college: Seven
Q&A
What brought you to the College of Optometry?
I had managed IT support for some time and wanted to focus on more security and privacy issues. I saw this opportunity at Optometry, and it has been a great move.
Describe your typical day at work or describe your position/role.
My position here is exciting for me because I get a chance to have several roles. As privacy officer I work with Optometry personnel, the Med Center, and other privacy officers on issues that affect everyone. I serve as Optometry’s Security Coordinator and Disaster Recovery Coordinator on campus wide groups. I am now managing help desk staff and that process. Of course, there is an occasional IT disaster to deal with.
What brings you the most joy in your work?
Solving problems is the most satisfying thing about my work. I like to plan projects and work with others on campus trying to figure out what new technologies will or won’t work.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the college?
Take the initiative to learn more about the college; explore all the different things our faculty and staff are working on and the services we provide. There is a great culture here and we do lots of incredible things. Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I like to ride my bike, walk Ohio’s golf courses and spend time with my dog. I enjoy hunting and fishing when I get the chance. My wife and I love to see live music wherever we can find it, and if that is in the Florida Keys then it is all the better.
Pick one of the following questions to answer:
What was your first job? I delivered newspapers on my bicycle as a kid.