Inside DELTA: 5 Questions with Sarah Weatherman

LearnTech support technicians play an integral role in fostering the integration of DELTA-supported learning technologies across the university by providing immediate support for instructional faculty, staff and students. Sarah Weatherman is one such technician that is pushing DELTA’s mission forward through uncertain times.

Weatherman, who is originally from Laurel Hill, North Carolina, received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She went on to work at her alma mater as a technology support technician, a job that introduced her to the faculty support side of technology. After moving to Durham, she worked as a Help Desk Support Analyst for the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In 2017, Weatherman joined DELTA as a LearnTech Support Technician where she combines her love for technology with her passion for helping people.

How would you describe your position to someone unfamiliar with DELTA?

Weatherman’s responsibilities include answering DELTA’s LearnTech help desk support phone line, responding to tickets in the help queue and working one on one with individuals to resolve problems. 

“Primarily, my job is to answer [callers’] questions. I give consultations to help faculty use current technologies and learn our new tools,” Weatherman said.

However, Weatherman is quick to point out that no two days are ever alike. One day, she may be handling routine questions, while another day she may be working to troubleshoot a problem through an in-depth testing method. 

“I really jump into whatever projects may happen to be going on at that point.”

What makes your job special?

Above all else, Weatherman believes what makes her job special is that it calls her to combine collaborative problem solving and empathetically helping others. Both skills are passions that she fostered while working in higher education previously.

“It is a bit different from other jobs in the fact that it is not just an IT help desk,” she said. “This is focused on learning technologies and how they can help our faculty teach better.” 

Weatherman uses her expertise in Moodle, Zoom and WolfWare to also aid faculty by developing instructional materials to address specific training or program needs. She writes Knowledge Base articles housed in ServiceNow providing faculty step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting technical problems, as well as integrating new technologies into their pedagogy. 

“In this position, I can solve puzzles that help, truly help, people.”

What is the biggest lesson you have learned while working at DELTA?

Weatherman is blown away by the collaborative nature of DELTA, and some of her favorite projects have been those that bring together staff from different backgrounds to solve pressing issues in learning technology. One such example is Weatherman’s experience as a member of the LMS Tactical Committee. The committee serves as a review stage within the WolfWare governance structure for problems that stump the LearnTech Help Desk. 

“I enjoy WolfWare Tactical because our support and technical sides get to get together and make sure everyone is up-to-date with what is going on.” 

She attributes the success of this committee’s work to the greater culture of DELTA — a working environment that inspires creativity, ingenuity and teamwork as tools for analyzing problems, developing solutions and communicating effectively.

“At DELTA, I’ve learned that when a great bunch of people works together, they can accomplish a lot. Moreover, they can enjoy it!”

What do you like to do outside of work?

When she isn’t working, Weatherman enjoys binge-watching television shows with her husband Lawrence. While her recent favorite has been the Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek, the pair is always open to new recommendations. 

Weatherman is also a crafter and is hoping to get more into sewing after recently acquiring a sewing machine and taking a class.

If she isn’t watching the most recent television craze or crafting beautiful creations, Weatherman can be found playing with her two cats, Marcus Cole and Kali. Marcus Cole has a renewed interest in cat toys after deliberately avoiding them for years and Kali loves to pose whenever she sees Weatherman or her husband holding up the phone.