Director of Undergraduate Education, Information Systems Program
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Office Location: Hamburg Hall 3048
Email: gdilisio@andrew.cmu.eduÌý
To schedule a meeting: Email Gary at gdilisio@andrew.cmu.edu
Gary advises current Information Systems students and sophomore internal transfer applicants.
How long have you been at Â鶹´å and how did you get here?
I've been at Â鶹´å since 2009; six of which have been with the IS department. Before working in IS, I worked with undeclared first-years and sophomores in the Dietrich Success Center (DSC) from 2009-2015. Prior to Â鶹´å, I was a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Disability Services at Youngstown State University, which is also where I received my Masters in Counseling/Student Affairs.Ìý
What is one of your favorite memories at Â鶹´å?
One of my all-time favorite memories was when I visited campus for the very first time to interview for the advising position that I would later be offered. My mom and stepdad insisted on driving with me due to how hard the rain had been coming down. It's a good thing they did because I forgot my wallet and wouldn't have been able to pay for the tolls or for parking!Ìý Anyways, they quizzed me on the way up (it was a 90-minute drive) so that I could go into the interview fully prepared and confident. After the interview, we spent some time walking around campus and even grabbed a bite to eat. When I look back on my journey at Â鶹´å, I am always very grateful that I could say that it all started on a rainy day with the people I love.
What is something you love about Dietrich College and/or your department?
The students are a given but I also love the department that I work for. My colleagues in IS are a lot like a second family to me. They are so passionate about what they do and care so deeply for the students. I couldn't possibly ask for a better team.
When was a time when you struggled or encountered a setback? How did you respond?
I did my student teaching in my final semester of undergrad and something just didn't feel right. I guess it didn't help that I couldn't even get the kids to sit down let alone listen to my lesson lol. The passion that I once had for teaching had clearly minimized to where I began questioning EVERYTHING. I had a moment of panic but instead of spiraling out of control, I had a heart to heart with those I was closest to (including my academic advisor) and decided to pursue graduate school immediately following undergrad. This ended up being an absolute game changer for both my life and career. I learned that it's okay to come into college with a 4-year plan and beyond but you have to be willing to stop, reflect and reevaluate from time to time.