Member Spotlight

Jennifer Vega

Meet Jennifer Vega, the Lead Technology Specialist at Gainesville City Schools (GA) and a current participant in CoSN's 2024-2025 CTO Academy. In her multifaceted role, Jennifer provides key support to the tech team and collaborates with the CTO on district-wide projects, among other responsibilities. 

1.  How long have you been a member of CoSN?

“I recently joined as part of the current academy cohort, but our district has been a member for several years, with our CTO actively involved."

2. Why did you join CoSN? What do you enjoy about being a member?

"I became a member through my enrollment in the CoSN K-12 CTO Academy, and I take great pride in being part of the 2024-2025 cohort. In the brief time since I joined, I have attended numerous webinars and gained invaluable insights from peers who have faced challenges I hadn’t even considered. The wealth of knowledge and experience within the community is remarkable, and I strive to absorb as much as possible.

Beyond the learning opportunities, I find the ability to connect with the CoSN community for feedback on processes, software options, and a variety of topics to be an incredibly helpful and valuable resource."

3.  How did you get into the field of educational technology?

"My journey into educational technology was somewhat serendipitous. Previously, I held positions as an Operations Manager, Accounting Manager, and Location Manager. I transitioned into the tech field by taking a position as the head of the help desk for an accounting software company, which leveraged my accounting experience. About 16 years ago, while living in Clearwater, FL, my husband was laid off. A close friend of his, who was the Network Administrator for Gainesville City Schools, invited him to help as a contractor. A year later, I received a call from my husband about a technician opening, and I decided to apply. I got the job and relocated.

Now, 15 years later, I have found my passion in this field and enjoy every moment of what I do."

4.  What does your daily work entail?

"Our district comprises six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one non-traditional high school. In the past, we were fortunate to have a technician at each school, but as we expanded and faced staffing changes, we’ve had to adjust. Currently, we have one technician for every two elementary schools, one at each middle school, and two at the high school. The non-traditional high school is new this year and does not yet have a full-time technician.

As someone who wears many hats, each day presents new opportunities for me to make a meaningful impact. With no technician at the new non-traditional high school, I am available to assist with their needs. Additionally, I serve as the primary support for our technician team, helping them resolve issues at their respective locations, even those that fall outside their usual responsibilities.

I am also part of the Leadership Team and play a key role in coordinating efforts among Instructional Technology, Systems Engineering, Security Engineering, and Network Engineering, working closely with the CTO and Assistant Director. In this capacity, I help integrate all the elements into a cohesive whole.

In my spare time, I manage our internal ticketing system, oversee inventory, and handle InTune and Autopilot, assisting wherever I can."

5. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see in the future of educational technology?

"Currently, the biggest challenge I see is related to budgets and funding. This is not only due to the changes occurring at the federal level, which will undoubtedly pose challenges we are yet to fully understand. Additionally, with the end of ESSER funding, we are grappling with how to maintain the technological advancements we achieved with those resources, compelling us to make difficult decisions. On the bright side, it’s exciting to see how creatively we can approach these challenges."

6. What is something you are excited to be working on right now?

"Honestly, I’m excited about all aspects of my work. One of my greatest passions is problem-solving, and our current environment offers an abundance of challenges just waiting for solutions. "

7.  What is your favorite book?

"I have always enjoyed reading, typically gravitating toward dystopian fiction, crime thrillers, and true crime. Recently, however, I’ve been introduced to the fantasy genre, and I find myself captivated by it. When I’m not working or spending time with family, I’m often reading. My husband is even building me a cozy library/reading nook at the moment—I should probably get out more! "

8.  What hobby(s) do you enjoy doing outside of work?

"I enjoy attending my children’s sporting events, having family movie nights, and, of course, reading."

Nominate yourself or another member by filling out the questionnaire.