Kris Wilmert, IT Fellow, says he's expecting a lower stress level in his fall internship as a Programmer than he has had as a Help Desk Manager this year. Shift monitoring, answering questions, doing inventory, and even reminding student staff of appropriate work attire keep him multi-tasking in this position. "The managerial experience has really boosted my self-confidence," he said. "You're in charge of a lot of stuff."

His co-workers have kind words about his hard work. "Regardless of anything, Kris tries to make the job fun," says Help Desk Specialist Matt Nuechterlein." Whether it's us greeting Kris with a group 'Wil-mert' , or Kris's doing a staff ticket review with pictures of interpretive dance, he tries to make it fun."

As a CS  major, he regards his coming internship with Systems as an excellent work experience before he graduates in 2009. "So far I've had classroom experience only," he said. "This internship gives me an opportunity to get a job in my field before I graduate." Being part of the SummIT team has given him writing experience that will be helpful anywhere.

Computers aren't the only things that Kris enjoys. One of his favorite campus activities is playing trumpet in the Luce Concert Band. When he heads out from campus, he's usually "going home to cook supper." His wife, Stephanie (Cusack '07) Wilmert is a middle and high school band director in  the Hammond Public Schools.

Last summer Kris worked for a Web design firm in Wabash, Indiana. This summer, he'll be splitting his time between the Valpo IT Help Desk and Systems.