Jay Johnson '98 '07
With over 15 years of professional experience in Information Technology, Jay Johnson ’98 ’07 works as the IT manager of the Nuclear Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory where he directs and oversees IT operations and cyber security.
Working for the largest scientific division, Jay works hard to help nearly 350 employees stay efficient, agile, and most importantly safe in overall operations across the division.
“The researchers in the lab have a job to do and deadlines to meet,” says Jay. “We ensure that everything runs smoothly so that they are able to do so.”
Previously, Jay also directed Operations for National Security Information Systems at Argonne and worked as an IT System Administrator at Fermilab. He is an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Graduate Information Security Program at Lewis. Jay enjoys coming to visit at Lewis and talk with students from the department and share with them the newest trends, software, and technology in the industry.
“The students are always so enthusiastic and intrigued,” says Jay. “They ask great questions and we have awesome conversations.”
He recently visited campus and spoke with a group of students from the department about working in Information Technology at a national laboratory.
“Jay’s 15 years of professional experience at one of the world’s preeminent laboratories with first-class software, communications, and security solutions gives him a perspective few others can match,” says Professor and Chair of Computer Science and Mathematics Dr. Ray Klump.
Encouraging interactions with the real-world will allow students to gain practical experience in an ever changing industry such as technology.
“As an extremely successful alumnus, Jay provides an inspiring example and demonstrates to our students what their Lewis Computer Science degree can offer them. That's invaluable,” Dr. Klump adds.
The Computer Science department strives to provide students with the technical skills and problem solving strategies necessary to succeed after graduation. The university works with Argonne through the Undergraduate Cooperative Education Program, which provides students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge base through related work experience in their particular discipline. During his time at Lewis, Jay was able to complete an internship with Argonne through this partnership, which led him to his full-time career. He now has the privilege of hiring students from Lewis as part of this academic program.
Jay graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and came back to earn his master’s degree in Information Security. While on campus, he was heavily involved in ministry, played in several bands and even directed the pep band.
April 2017
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