Press Release
World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) Announces First National Web Education Standard
Las Vegas, NV, November 13, 2006 - Leading Web professionals from industry, education and government have been brought together to announce the first national standard for Web professional education and training that will enable students and practicing Web professionals alike to seek an Associates Degree in the Web profession with specialties in the area of Web Design, Development and the generalist Webmaster.
Eight community colleges from around the United States were recognized as meeting WOW's vendor neutral "Web Systems" degree based on curricula standards developed by the WOW organization in a decade long collaboration with business and industry, education, practicing professionals and those that hire them.
2006 WOW Academy Recipients:
- Illinois Central College, East Peoria Illinois headed up by Mark DuBois, WOW Articulation Committee Chair, and WOW Director of Education, Certified Web Professional Webmaster, Developer and Associate Professor-Illinois Central College serves as WOW’s Education Director and is the recipient of the WOW Web Professional Hall of Fame award.
- Montana State College-Great Falls, Montana headed up by Tim Paul, WOW Articulation Committee Co-Chair, WOW Certified Professional Web Designer and Webmaster, and Director of Computer Information Technology at Montana State University-Great Falls.
- Niagara County Community College of Sanborn, New York headed up by Ann Catalano, WOW Certified Professional Web Designer and Digital Media Coordinator, Niagara Community College.
- Solano College, Fairfield, CA headed up by Ann Willer. WOW Certified Professional Webmaster and Professor, Solano Community College.
- Crafton Hills College Yucaipa, CA headed up by Catherine Pace-Pequeño, WOW Certified Professional Webmaster and Chair of Business and Information Technology, Crafton Hills College.
- West Hills College, Lemoore CA headed up by David-Michael Rengh, WOW Certified Professional Webmaster and CIS Business Professor, West Hills College.
- Rose State College, Okalahoma City OK headed up by Dara Hays, WOW Certified Professional Webmaster, Chair and Professor of E-Commerce and Webmaster Technology, Rose State College.
- William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, IL headed up by Terry Morris, WOW Certified Web Professional and Associate Professor, Harper Community College.
In making the announcement Bill Cullifer, WOW’s Executive Director said, “For the United States to remain competitive in the field of Information Technology (IT), we are going to have to refine our education processes when it comes to Web professional topics,” I am proud to be a part of this national initiative to deliver the highest quality and the most affordable Web professional education available.
What others are saying about WOW’s education and credentialing standards:
“Because MSU-Great Falls so closely follows the program outlined by WOW, students emerge from our college with the skills and enthusiasm coveted by business and industry; usually, our graduates are hired by these companies before they graduate and even before they sit for the WOW certificate exam.” said Tim Paul, Chair of the Business and Technology Department at Montana State University-Great Falls.
"It's time to focus on delivering programs that provide students the right depth and breadth of skills that employers are demanding in today's competitive job market. Every high school and college in the U.S. could greatly benefit from the collective effort". Mark DuBois, Illinois Central College.
“There is a growing demand for Web professionals. I am excited about using recommended standards developed by web professionals. I believe that standards and consistency are essential in developing web technically proficient and business savvy Web professionals.” Catherine Pace-Pequeno, Head of the CHC CIS Department, Crafton Hills College (CHC) of Yucaipa, California
“WOW certification exams proved to be valuable for students seeking employment in Web design". Judy Roberts Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Networking Academy Program.
WOW, which supports those who create, manage or market Web sites, provides education as well as certification, technical and employment services to its members. Cullifer said one of the group’s goals is to prepare future Web professionals, which includes developers, programmers and graphic artists, for the growing market demand fueled by the exponential growth of e-commerce in the business world and consumer market.
For more information about WOW visit http://www.webprofessionals.org or contact Bill Cullifer, Executive Director by e-mail at bill@joinwow.org or by telephone at (916) 608-1597.