About

My name is Jim Rizzo and I work in IT in higher education. I am a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (class of 2001). As a student, I developed a strong interest in computers and technology. I became and RCC for ResNet at UConn and eventually moved my way up to a student supervisor. Upon graduation, I found the economy to be very poor as a result of the DotCom bubble bursting and the events of 9/11. I eventually found work in a high school as a glorified computer lab monitor in the school library. I became a bit of a mentor to some of the students in my 2 months working there. However, soon after, I was offered a position at Providence College, where I remain today, managing their IT Helpdesk. Through this position, I became involved with the ResNet Symposium and ended up a member of their Information Resources Committee. I push for student rights on the internet and take an active role in the lives of my student employees. While my primary role is in technical support, I am also very much an educator and a mentor. I will eventually begin pursuit of a Masters degree in Education in Counseling (though that has to wait until the wedding planning ends).

My general interests include urban issues, music, technology, and craft beer. I am a member of the Board of Directors for Greater City: Providence where I push for better urbanism in the city of Providence. I am also a member of BeerAdvocate.com and a subscriber to their monthly print magazine. I am a fan of live music and, though I don’t have the time or money to get out much and see the music, I try to see live bands whenever I can. In everything I do, I try to keep it local, supporting Providence businesses, bands, venues, and brewers.

I regularly read Slashdot and UrbanPlanet and occasionally post on each. I am rizzo420 on Slashdot and runawayjim on UrbanPlanet. I am also runawayjim on Flickr and Beer Advocate.  I’m also on Twitter as RunawayJimPVD.

All photos used in the header image were taken by me in my various travels around New England.

My resume can be found here in Adobe PDF format.

You can reach me by email at jim@rizzopvd.org.