We Are IT | Meet Katie Townsend

Katie Townsend, a Tallahassee native, did not set out to work in technology. But she is glad her path brought her here. As the business relationship manager for the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), she serves as a liaison between DSA and ITS, helping steer and inform technology strategies and business processes. Her current (and favorite) project, is helping DSA create an Esports lounge on campus. But technology is just one of her passions. Katie also teaches art history part time and is always looking for any opportunity to get engaged with the arts around town.

Where are you from?

I am born and raised in Tallahassee. I have not escaped ... yet. :)

Where did you attend school?

I went to Lincoln High School, then to Tallahassee Community College, then to FSU where I got my bachelor’s degree in humanities and master’s degree in art history. I love academia and learning in general, so I am enrolled again and doing the project management graduate certificate.

So, nothing to do with technology.

I have two worlds—an arts world and an IT world.

Why did you choose to work in technology?

I was hired to work in FSU Student Business Services in 2011 as a backup in the office while everyone was hands-on-deck working on the transition to the new PeopleSoft system. A few months after I was hired, they realized they needed more help on the project. So they brought me over, and I did that until the new system went live. And that's how I got my foot in the door and got into it.

The project was really fun though. A lot of learning came out of it, and I realized I really liked technology. After I went back to Student Business Services, I wanted to come back to ITS and do more with academic and student data. A position came up on the Student Application Services team, and I moved over to ITS full time in 2016 as a business analyst where I worked with Campus Solutions until I accepted my current position in 2022.

All that to say I did not set out to work in technology, but that is where my path brought me. And I am glad it did. I enjoy it.

One day, I'd love for an opportunity to be able to merge my two worlds—to find a way to converge technology and the arts in my career. That would be really fulfilling for me.

How long have you been at FSU?

I started at FSU in September 2011.

What is your role at FSU?

I am the business relationship manager for DSA, which means I serve as a liaison between ITS and DSA and assist them with their IT needs. DSA has a lot of departments, each with unique needs, so every day is different. I help them steer and inform their IT strategies, including software implementation, product updates and troubleshooting issues they are having. I see it as a consultation role. Lately I’ve been helping them with a lot of business processes and business models. And lots of projects. That’s something I really like about this job. I do love project management, and I get to do a lot of that here.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people I work with are a huge part of why I want to continue working in ITS. It is fun. We are a family. And the culture in IT—especially now—is so wonderful.

Something I was missing though was being on campus and being around all the stuff that reminds us why we are here. I get a lot of that in this position. I love that daily reminder of being on campus and seeing firsthand how what we are doing in ITS impacts departments and students.

My position also allows me to network and build stronger business and personal relationships with all my colleagues in and outside IT. That's been meaningful to me. It actually took me being out of the Technology Services Building to learn more about ITS. In this position, I’ve learned more about what the ITS teams do, much more than when I was in TSB 100% of the time. This position is more big picture, and I’m able to understand the organization of ITS and the different teams.

What is the most rewarding project you have worked on at FSU?

I will say the current Esports project has been challenging, but in a good way. I like to learn and challenge myself.

FSU is behind in competitive gaming, and it is Vice President Hecht’s wish to bring Esports to campus. It is an initiative DSA has been trying to get off the ground since before I took this position, and I am determined to get an Esports lounge for them this year!

Esports is the only sport that is 100% reliant on technology. It has required a lot of networking with ITS and is going to have to be a true partnership.

I think it is going to be a fun project and seeing it come to fruition will be fulfilling. It provides a way for students to remain engaged on campus and gives students space to come to. And it has been exciting to learn and see the excitement students have around this potential.

What is your favorite app?

I have a long commute, so I’ve really been loving Audible and Spotify. They help with the drive to and from work. Those are my obsessions right now.

Also, my son is obsessed with anything to do with the universe, so I've downloaded the Sky Guide app. My son and I go out to look at the night sky, and you move your phone around, and it tells you where everything is—planets, constellations and stuff. We've been enjoying that lately.

If you were to invent one piece of technology, what would it be?

This is probably going to render me a hypochondriac, but I am into health and fitness and would like a device you step into or something that does a 3D scan and immediately tells you, “Hey, this is what’s wrong,” or, “You are having cell changes ...” So, a safe diagnostic with no bad radiation that tells you exactly what is wrong or what is starting to go wrong so you can be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to your health.

What is a fun fact about you?

Growing up, my family was very musically inclined. My siblings and I all played multiple instruments. I played the trumpet for a few years and was first chair. Then I switched to classical guitar. I often wish that I would have stayed in music for longer, and I would have liked to have tried the French horn.

Talk a little bit about your family.

My husband, Craig, and I have one child, Maddox. He is six and a half, and he is a crazy man ... in a good way, as little boys should be. He keeps us busy and entertained. We took him to Disney for the first time a couple of months ago, and we had a blast!

What do you do in your free time?

I spend time with my family. I love to run; I don’t do it as much as I would like to these days, but I’m trying to get back into it. Also, I look for any opportunity to get engaged with the arts around town. And I love to travel. Paris is my favorite place so far.