Edith “Dede” Keach:  Using Technology to Advance Unity College              

     There are no limits to what Edith “Dede” Keach thinks may be achieved through the use of technology on the Unity College campus. 

     A people person with an easy manner and superior sense of humor, Keach, Administrative Assistant to Experiential Programs, is a technology professional who has helped improve service and create greater efficiencies during her five years at Unity College.

     “I love working with students and being able to use my technological skills,” Keach said.

     On Friday, July 8, Keach was at work entering data about students currently pursuing internships.  Unity students pursue internships throughout the year. 

     Currently 110 students are pursuing internships over the summer, which began its session in May and will run through August.

     Other internship sessions are January through June, and the fall semester internships which run from August through December.

     Keach works with Nova programs, providing administrative support for trips.  She also works with the Career Resource Center and Community-Based Learning.

     Always thinking about ways to help improve services at Unity College, recently Keach facilitated a new approach for the ever popular career fair, held during the spring semester of each academic year.

     This year the fair will expand by offering Skype and web cams linked to potential employers outside New England.  Keach says this expansion of opportunities for Unity students seeking employment or internships is in service to both current and new majors.

     Some of Keach’s additional achievements in recent years include completing three new databases for the Career Resource Center, Nova, and Community-Based Learning; designing and implementing an electronic form to be accessed by Unity students on internship; and revamping the Career Fair.

     Though Keach possesses superior technological skills, she also has a green thumb and isn’t afraid to get some dirt under her fingernails.

     She planned to spend the weekend working on the new berry farm that she recently started in Unity with her husband, Dennis.

     “We work on the farm every weekend,” Keach said.