Lecturer, Data Science and Computer Information Systems
As the University of Maine at Augusta celebrates 60 years of expanding opportunity across Maine, we continue sharing the stories of the people who bring that mission to life.
Rocko Graziano first connected with the University of Maine at Augusta as a member of the UMA Board of Visitors. When the opportunity arose to help develop the university’s Data Science program, he stepped in and later joined the faculty as a lecturer in Data Science and Computer Information Systems. Today, he works closely with students who are building new futures through technology, helping them discover their enthusiasm for computing and the confidence to pursue new opportunities in the field.
We asked Rocko to share more about his UMA story and the moments that make teaching especially rewarding.
What department are you in and what is your role?
I am a Lecturer in the Data Science and Computer Information Systems programs.
What first drew you to teach at UMA, and why have you chosen to make this your professional home?
I was a member of the UMA Board of Visitors in the late 2010s. Provost Szakas invited me to help create the Data Science degree program, and once it was approved he encouraged me to join the Faculty.
I joined UMA for two reasons. The first was location – I have lived in Central Maine my entire adult life. Equally important was UMAs mission: I find working with non-traditional, back-to-school lifelong learners very rewarding.
What inspires you most in the classroom or in your interactions with students? (Is there a specific “lightbulb moment” you’ve witnessed recently?)
So many UMA students make to balance school with work and family responsibilities. The commitment to making a better life for themselves and their families is inspirational.
What is the most rewarding part of witnessing a student’s evolution while they are in your program?
In my five years I have had a few students change their majors to CIS as a result of taking one of my classes. Igniting their enthusiasm for computing, showing them that they have the ability to do the work, preparing the next generation of computing professionals for Maine is why I am here.
UMA is known for flexibility. How have you seen our different learning modalities (online, hybrid, in-person) create opportunities for students who might not otherwise be able to pursue a degree?
I have a special appreciation for the students in the Prison Education Program. Each semester a handful of them join one of my classes, and their dedication to obtaining an education despite the tremendous challenges they face is one of the more inspirational parts of working at UMA.
What is one piece of advice you consistently give to students entering your field to help them succeed?
Stay a lifelong learner. There will always be new technology which promises to solve all the problems of the business world. Rely on the critical thinking and problem solving skills you develop at UMA to adapt to whatever the marketplace brings.
As UMA celebrates 60 years of expanding opportunity, stories like Rocko Graziano’s reflect the dedication and determination that continue to shape the university’s future.