Ben Bakelaar Email & Phone Number

Highland Park, Nj, Us

New Brunswick, Nj, Us

Focused on the intersection of people and technology, we combine processes of design thinking, user experience design, usability, and web interface design to produce solutions that are simple, streamlined, and built human-first. Dedicated to improving the human experience and putting people at the center.

METAscripta, Vatican Film Library, St. Louis University Libraries• manage web and application development, database and systems administration, infrastructure development and implementation, and overall architecture of the digital library infrastructure• manage digital data and workflows• maintain familiarity with metadata standards, national and international best practices, established and emerging technologies, and applications in the digital library sphere• ensure robust workflows for ingest, management, preservation, and access to digital content. • assess and monitor web infrastructure• develop specifications for infrastructure changes • develop and test migration strategies for content • write and maintain documentation

Holmdel, New Jersey, Us

A simple way to enhance your mental health, improve emotional regulation, and reduce stress and anxiety through daily reflection. You don’t have to spend hours a day meditating, or years in therapy, to discover the simple benefits of daily reflection. In fact, we believe you’ll see benefits in just 3-5 minutes per day. Our reflection decks are designed to challenge your thinking, uncover automatic and unconscious beliefs, and reveal cognitive distortions. Through self-directed daily review, you can change your habitual, default thinking and become a new version of yourself.

New Brunswick, Nj, Us

I have been involved with instruction, teaching and course design for multiple years now. I have taught all formats - fully in-person, hybrid, and fully online. Each requires a different approach to engaging students. I continue teaching because I learn as much if not more than the students by practicing translating concepts, theory, and real-world practice into a digestible format.Part-time Faculty, Spring 2020 - Human-Computer Interaction (ITI 230)Part-time Faculty, Fall 2018 - Human-Computer Interaction (ITI 230)Part-time Faculty, Spring 2018 - Technological Innovation in America (STS 220)Part-time Faculty, Fall 2017 - Human-Computer Interaction (ITI 230)Part-time Faculty, Summer 2017 - Web Design (ITI 320)Assistant, Spring 2017 - Master of Information - Database Technologies (MI 550)Part-time Faculty, Spring 2017 - Management of Technological Organizations (ITI 210)Part-time Faculty, Spring 2017 - Web Design (ITI 320)Part-time Faculty, Summer 2016 - Web Design (ITI 320)Part-time Faculty, Fall 2015 - Human-Computer Interaction (ITI 230)Part-time Faculty, Summer 2015 - Web Design (ITI 320)Course Design, Spring 2015 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)Part-time Faculty, Fall 2014 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)Part-time Faculty, Summer 2014 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)Grader, Spring 2014 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)Part-time Faculty, Summer 2013 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)Course Design, Summer 2013 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)Grader, Spring 2013 - Networking and Internet Technology (ITI 331)

Princeton, Nj, Us

As one of two Project Managers in a staff of 14, I was part of the management team for a group of developers and designers who build Drupal websites for all units and departments within Princeton University. With a total portfolio of nearly 1000 websites on various technology platforms, a 3 year initiative is underway to migrate hundreds of sites ranging in size from small to large to a custom Drupal 7 site-builder template system. Projects range in length from less than 3 months to more than a year. In addition to PM responsibilities I also provide customer support for the Drupal sites, and am involved in information architecture and content strategy.

As an independent consultant, I have primarily worked with non-profits, academic institutions, and small/local businesses on a variety of web-based projects including selection and implementation of Learning Management Systems and Content Management Systems, website development utilizing HTML/CSS/Javascript/PHP/MySQL or WordPress, Google Maps API development, database development and integration, and ArcGIS mapping.

New Brunswick, Nj, Us

In a senior role, this job was more focused on strategy, but due to staffing levels included tactical responsibilities as well. Working with the Asst. Director of Operations and the Director of IT, I researched and proposed various technology solutions and process improvements. Working with a junior systems administrator, student workers, and a pool of vendors, I led implementation of approved or experimental solutions. I also introduced an improved project management and client communication process. Projects ranged from server and systems administration, central systems integration, web and application development, instructional support relating to IT server resources and services, and special projects such as high-performance research computing.

Princeton, Nj, Us

As the primary information technology professional on staff, I was involved in both tactical and strategic aspects of technology at the library. From managing the help desk and maintaining all staff and public computers in the building, to projects and strategic planning, to the ecosystem of our library catalog software, every day brought a new challenge and a new opportunity. Major projects under my tenure include helping complete, launch, and maintain a new Drupal-based website, implementing a WordPress network for internal and external projects, managing network infrastructure and external vendors, planning and building a new Server 2008 domain, and replacing the Technology Center computer lab with new iMacs.

During the previous 10 years at Rutgers, I obtained both a BA in Geography and a Masters in Library and Information Science. This was my first role outside of IT after I graduated from the master's program. As a user experience consultant, I worked with a team of professionals on a variety of projects that involved creating any research tools needed to conduct research, such as surveys, questionnaires, and test scripts; conducting research activities, heuristic evaluations and competitive audits of digital websites, tools and assets; identifying patterns and trends in the research data, and any areas for improvement in design; and finally compiling and documenting findings of the research for presentation to clients.

New Brunswick, Nj, Us

Based on my experience developing the database-driven portal in the prior job, I was hired as a Business Systems Analyst for a state-funded grant at the Institute for Families. Working closely with a team from Penn State University, we implemented their learning management portal. After a short time, customizations were desired and so I transitioned to web application development. I built the next version of the learning management portal which was used for state social worker training and certification. The application was built on the LAMP stack using a modular approach. After a few years, a vacancy opened up and I transitioned to IT Manager of the entire department during a time of rapid growth, where we expanded from 1 FT staff member to 7 FT total. In that role I oversaw all technology purchasing, budgeting, procurement; was the primary liaison to central IT; networked with colleagues at other units and departments; was responsible for hiring and firing; and worked closely with senior management to define and implement an IT strategy.

After 5 years as a specialist, an opportunity came up to be the IT Manager for a small start-up healthcare non-profit. As the sole IT staff member, I was responsible for all strategy, implementation, procurement and purchasing. I built an office network and server, collaborated with external consultants including McKinsey & Company, and worked together with a remote website developer to build a database-driven web portal for free clinics across the nation to accept and recruit retired volunteers.

New Brunswick, Nj, Us

In this entry level role, I supported over 100 full-time faculty and staff positions in-person and remotely at 11 different locations around the state of New Jersey within the School of Social Work and Center for Social and Community Development. As the primary front-line help desk staff, I provided desktop support and troubleshooting, technology consultation, network troubleshooting and analysis, and website content management. I was responsible for ensuring day-to-day functionality of the department's hardware, software, and network under the direction of the IT Manager. I also consulted with faculty on specific technology needs and researched potential solutions which were presented to management.

Ba, Geography

Masters In Library And Information Science, Digital Libraries, Social Media, Web Technologies