Craven wins national award
CSIU telecommunications manager receives national technology award
Geoffrey Craven, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) telecommunications manager, has received a national award for helping schools advance the use of technology.
A resident of Milton, Craven was named the winner of the 2009 Brian L. Talbott Award presented by the Association of Educational Service Agencies. It honors an employee of a regional service agency who "provides innovative technology support to schools for instruction and/or business management." Craven was nominated by CSIU Executive Director Robert G. Witten, who said, "When I read the criteria, my first thought was ‘this award must have been created with Geoff Craven in mind."
Craven heads a team of 13 staff who provide a variety of technology services to other CSIU programs, school districts, and state agencies. His responsibilities include:
According to Witten, one of Craven's greatest accomplishments has been developing and directing a program to obtain federal "E-Rate" reimbursements for schools. In 1996, the federal government introduced the Universal Service Fund discount program to help schools and libraries save on their telecommunications costs.
"Geoff recognized immediately that this was an opportunity to provide a valuable and needed service," Witten said. "The E-Rate application process is extremely cumbersome, and he viewed this as a chance to help ease this burden on school personnel."
Under Craven's leadership, the CSIU's E-Rate application service began with seven participating districts and has grown to a program serving 49 school districts - 12 locally, and 37 in other regions of the state where the service was not available from a local intermediate unit. More than 4,000 applications have been prepared, with more than $20 million in discounts obtained.
Among Craven's other achievements cited in his nomination are his service as president of the National Association of Media and Technology Centers and as a technology consultant to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, State System of Higher Education, and education service agencies in Iowa and Kansas.
"Geoff's thirst for knowledge and his passion for helping others are reflected in everything he does for the CSIU," said Witten. "He is most deserving of this honor."
Geoffrey Craven, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) telecommunications manager, has received a national award for helping schools advance the use of technology.
A resident of Milton, Craven was named the winner of the 2009 Brian L. Talbott Award presented by the Association of Educational Service Agencies. It honors an employee of a regional service agency who "provides innovative technology support to schools for instruction and/or business management." Craven was nominated by CSIU Executive Director Robert G. Witten, who said, "When I read the criteria, my first thought was ‘this award must have been created with Geoff Craven in mind."
Craven heads a team of 13 staff who provide a variety of technology services to other CSIU programs, school districts, and state agencies. His responsibilities include:
- Developing and maintaining the technology infrastructure at the CSIU's main office in the Milton Industrial Park, as well as at 22 remote sites where program staff are located.
- Designing, installing and supporting technology networks for school districts.
- Coordinating the regional technology directors group, with representatives from local school districts.
- Supporting web pages for all CSIU programs.
According to Witten, one of Craven's greatest accomplishments has been developing and directing a program to obtain federal "E-Rate" reimbursements for schools. In 1996, the federal government introduced the Universal Service Fund discount program to help schools and libraries save on their telecommunications costs.
"Geoff recognized immediately that this was an opportunity to provide a valuable and needed service," Witten said. "The E-Rate application process is extremely cumbersome, and he viewed this as a chance to help ease this burden on school personnel."
Under Craven's leadership, the CSIU's E-Rate application service began with seven participating districts and has grown to a program serving 49 school districts - 12 locally, and 37 in other regions of the state where the service was not available from a local intermediate unit. More than 4,000 applications have been prepared, with more than $20 million in discounts obtained.
Among Craven's other achievements cited in his nomination are his service as president of the National Association of Media and Technology Centers and as a technology consultant to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, State System of Higher Education, and education service agencies in Iowa and Kansas.
"Geoff's thirst for knowledge and his passion for helping others are reflected in everything he does for the CSIU," said Witten. "He is most deserving of this honor."