This story is part of a UToledo Faculty and Staff Spotlight series, where we feature uplifting stories of the remarkable achievements and contributions of hidden champions who call the University of Toledo home, fostering connections across campus. Cover graphic by Juice House. Image courtesy of James Strebler.
James Strebler is a lecturer at the University of Toledo in the Department of Information Operations and Technology Management. He teaches information systems, microcomputer applications and computer programming and problem solving. The JuicePress Team recently interviewed Strebler to learn more about his role and contribution to campus.
Q: Can you tell us about your academic journey? Where did you study and what were some pivotal moments for you? What are your degrees in?
A: I hold a B.B.A. in Information Systems from Kent State and an MBA in Management Information and Decision Systems from Case Western Reserve. I was never a very good student and attempted several schools before finishing up at Kent. I worked full-time while attending school, which forced me to manage my time, but clearly put a drag on my education.
Q: What field or research area do you focus on? What initially sparked your interest?
A: My current area of research is attitudes towards [a]rtificial [i]ntelligence assistance in the workplace. It’s a new-ish field, and one where there’s a lot of social disruption.
Q: Who or what has been a significant influence on your professional journey?
A: My family [was] all computer geeks. There’s a lot of undiagnosed autism and ADHD in my family, and tech careers are sometimes a good fit for people with those issues. I went into computing because my father and two uncles were in the field and seemed to be doing pretty well in life.
Q: What excites you most about the future of your field?
A: The thing I enjoy most about teaching information systems is that it is changing constantly and is always relevant to society. Almost every class, we can discuss current events and how computers, cybersecurity and AI are changing the world. I don’t think I would have survived in any other academic discipline. Information [s]ystems can be overwhelming, but is never boring.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are interested in pursuing a career in your field?
A: Information [s]ystems seems to be a relatively secure career moving forward. It is focused on business applications that use computers. So, even as AI may be reducing opportunities for low-level coding jobs, the need for IS professionals is likely to remain robust. Society is more dependent on computers, and they’re used in many aspects of society. IS people understand computing and the impact of computing on both the business organization and society. There appear to be good internship opportunities with local firms. Top IS grads earn top dollar at graduation.
Q: How long have you worked at the university?
A: I have been here since [the] spring of 2016. So, nine years.
Q: Can you summarize what you do in your role at UToledo?
A: I am a lecturer, so my primary focus is classroom teaching. I love it, and try to make classes as informative and entertaining as possible. Sometimes, the material can get dry, but I do what I can. I particularly love in-person classes, where I can interact and get to know my students directly.
Q: How do you support students outside of the classroom?
A: I have recommended various students for DEI-type initiatives to hiring managers and outreach programs. I realize this is a controversial topic, but IS and IT tend to be very homogenous in terms of both gender and race. It doesn’t reflect well on the profession. I hope that we find legal ways to increase representation in the future.
Q: What is a meaningful or favorite memory you have of being an undergraduate or graduate student?
A: I was a guitar teacher throughout undergrad. It allowed me to pay bills and avoid serving on a deep fryer—Haha! Other than that, classroom experiences with my fellow students and participation in a fraternity were my most cherished moments.
Q: What do you enjoy about living in the Toledo area?
A: Toledo is great because it’s big, but not too big. We have access to everything a person could need. The few things we can’t get are an easy drive to Ann Arbor or Detroit. We are in the center of most of the country’s population. We can get from Chicago to Nashville to N[ew] Y[ork] C[ity] in a day’s drive. Because Toledo isn’t super large, we avoid some of the issues that come with larger urban areas, like congested traffic, etc.
Q: What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of work?
A: I am still a musician. I try to work out when I can. I am also interested in photography and videography.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: For a short time in college, I was a bouncer in a country and western bar.
Note: Responses from the interviewee were received by email and have been edited for grammar and clarity.