For the past 10 years, Harold Schomaker worked on the advisory committee board at St. Petersburg College (SPC). When he began working at SPC in 2001, he worked with Dr. Shri Goyal on the advisory committee board for the College of Technology & Management. He became chairman during a reorganization of technology offerings at the college, where his main goal was “to combine various committees and rebuild the committee with a consolidated vision.” As chairman, Schomaker’s purpose in participating on the board was to “give back to the future leaders of the technology industry and “to “produce graduates that are ready for the workforce and the type of employees businesses are seeking.”

In order to qualify for the advisory committee chairman position, Schomaker said that an individual needs to be involved in some aspect of the technology industry. It is vital that, “all aspects of the industry be represented on the committee so that the student benefits from the chairman’s knowledge in developing a well-rounded curriculum.”

The objective of the advisory committee is to “provide real life scenarios for professional institutions and review the curriculum to ensure that students are receiving appropriate instruction.” Though he has stepped down as chairman of the College of Computer & Information Technology advisory committee board, he will continue to serve as an advisory committee board member and have an active share in meetings, participating in various programing curriculum development, reviews and capstone.

“I have enjoyed the experience. Seeing students go through the programs, present capstone projects and put the skills into practice is a great feeling knowing that they are ready for the workforce.” As of June 29, 2011, Chris Paul was elected as the new chairman of the advisory board. He began his term on July 1.