Simsbury Resident Receives Award at University of Hartford's Annual Faculty/Staff Kickoff

Submitted release

Brian Dorn of Simsbury, an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Hartford's College of Arts and Sciences was honored with an Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award at the University's annual Faculty/Staff Kickoff on Wednesday, Aug 29. The award honors faculty members who have shown exceptional dedication, innovation, and effectiveness in their teaching, as well as extensive interaction with students.

In his capstone course for the Multimedia Web Design and Development program, Dorn treats seniors like the professional web designers they soon will be. Students become part of a Web-development team and gain firsthand experience conceptualizing and constructing products for real clients. In completing a client's request, students are compelled to think outside the boundaries of a typical undergraduate class. Students must examine the client's proposal, consider relevant factors like related sites, produce design alternatives, and carry one of them through to full implementation.

Dorn acts as an advisor for the class. He helps students meet project benchmarks, mentors them on client communication, and provides hands-on technical support when needed. Dorn's class is an ideal transition from the structured classroom environment to the team-based corporate setting.

Chartered in 1957 with the mission to be a "private university with a public purpose," the University of Hartford offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and the health professions. The University's student body of nearly 7,200 represents 48 states and more than 60 countries. For more information, visit www.hartford.edu.