The Interview: Joe Chrobak | UNLV

When it involves designing audiovisual methods for campus areas, Joe Chrobak is thought for his “Speedy Delivery.” It’s a nod to Mr. McFeely, the cheerful supply man from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Chrobak met him years in the past and embodies the identical optimistic, can-do power as his childhood idol. 

Chrobak, senior AV/IT methods specialist, has labored for the college for almost seven years, constructing revolutionary know-how areas along with his classroom know-how providers teammates for UNLV’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). The versatile auditorium within the Advanced Engineering Building, the convention room in Dreamscape Learn within the Lied Library, and any RebelFlex classroom on campus — Chrobak performed a giant half in making them occur.

When he isn’t designing new know-how areas, Chrobak’s spending time within the classroom as a Ph.D. pupil in UNLV’s curriculum and instruction program. He’s utilizing his know-how, occasion manufacturing, and PBS broadcast expertise to discover how media sciences know-how could make studying extra participating. He plans to make use of his diploma to create on-line content material to assist college students transition from conventional e book studying to digital-based studying. 

If there’s something you need or want to complement the coed and instructing expertise, Chrobak continues to ship it to you with velocity and a smile. That’s what it means to him to be a Rebel.

What drew you to UNLV? 

I’d been trying into shifting to Las Vegas for a contrasting strategy to the climate I’m used to in Pennsylvania, the place I grew up. I really like the humanities and am an avid concertgoer, so Las Vegas stood out to me. How may you not need to reside within the Entertainment Capital of the World?

At the identical time, I’m a lifelong learner. I’ve loved the connection between know-how and schooling, and my background in broadcasting and technical work pushed me in that path. When I noticed a gap at UNLV to work with AV tools to assist classroom instruction, I pursued it. I used to be ecstatic to be employed and be a part of the classroom know-how providers workforce.  

What impressed you to get into your subject? 

I used to be at all times drawn to know-how since grade college, from organising the overhead projector and framing it on the pull-down display screen to bringing the rolling AV cart, getting the VCR tape prepared, and turning on the pc and loading floppy disks. I volunteered as a stagehand for college occasions, organising microphones, working lights, or opening and shutting the curtain. 

You’ve been to a whole lot of concert events. What performer shocked you probably the most?

I’ve an eclectic love of music. For me, it is concerning the songs and instrumentation greater than the rest. I hold observe of each live performance I’ve been to (as he scrolls and scrolls via a uniquely curated record of names together with Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones, George Strait, KISS, and Weird Al Yankovic). 

When I regarded again at my record, John Fogerty shocked me. I’ve been a fan since I used to be a child, memorizing all his songs from his Centerfield album throughout a cross-country household street journey from Pennsylvania to California. To this present day, one in every of my favourite songs is “Vanz Kant Danz.”

I’ve seen Fogerty carry out reside in 2006 and 2018. Both instances, his efficiency was electrical and energetic. Throughout the set, he ran back and forth with a youthful ardour to carry out, ensuring to interact with everybody within the viewers. If ever given the chance, I’d see him once more.

What live performance are you going to subsequent?

I’m headed to New York City to see my teenage nephew play at Carnegie Hall. He’s a gifted pianist and was invited to play there after profitable a neighborhood Pennsylvania honors recital. He’s going to be on the identical stage the place The Beatles and Tchaikovsky stood. I’m so pleased with him and might’t wait to see him carry out.

For many of the week, you put on UNLV attire, however you convey the enjoyable to Fridays. Why did you begin Fun Shirt Fridays in OIT?

I began Fun Shirt Fridays to discover a commonality with an adjoining unit. They had a Hawaiian shirt day, and I appreciated the team-building facet. It was a possibility for individuals to share slightly about themselves and study extra about others. I simply pulled a Picasso and borrowed the inspiration. I assumed enjoyable shirts sounded inclusive. It’s not concerning the shirt; it is concerning the particular person behind the shirt.

What’s your most prized “fun” shirt?

I really like all of my live performance shirts. The one that stands proud as prized is my Robert Plant (October 1990) one. Plant was one in every of my first concert events, however on the time, I may solely afford the ticket, not the shirt. So, I not too long ago bought the live performance shirt on-line.

What would campus appear like with out you (or your division generally)?

Campus will at all times proceed. It’s a part of the resilience of the UNLV tradition. Classroom know-how tools will probably be put in after me. The moments in our check lab when we’ve a profitable deployment that is reliable, scalable, and supportable are a workforce effort, not one thing I do alone.

What’s one thing individuals can be shocked to find out about you?

I’ve performed many issues in my lifetime, and all with my greatest foot ahead. While I’ve flown a aircraft and have been a radio and TV persona, I’m proud to be an award-winning tv producer.

During my time at PBS, I labored on the Emmy Award-winning Remember the Scranton Sirens documentary a few legendary Twenties jazz and dance band from Scranton, Penn., that helped launch the careers of musicians Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.

I discover actual enjoyment in the sort of storytelling, particularly the sort that captures actual individuals and actual moments. The hope is to return to creating documentaries. I made a New Communication Technology Applications documentary over 10 years in the past and want to make {that a} full-length model since know-how has modified a lot lately.