Jordan Fennick
MSIM
Q: Please share any additional academic plans (dual degree, research focus, minor, specialization, etc.) you may be pursuing.
A: I am taking courses in both Program/Product Management and Consulting (PPMC) and Data Science.
Q: Please tell us about your background and why you decided to come to the iSchool.
A: I began my career in the U.S. Coast Guard, where I spent over a decade managing responsibilities that ranged from search and rescue coordination and pollution response to Bering Sea fisheries enforcement and interdiction operations. These experiences taught me how to lead under pressure, manage diverse teams, and adapt quickly in fast-changing environments.
After transitioning out of the military, I earned a technical undergraduate degree to deepen my knowledge of IT systems and cybersecurity. I chose the iSchool’s MSIM program to bridge that technical foundation with strategic leadership and people-centered design. The program has helped me build the tools and mindset needed to manage complex information systems and create real value in organizations.
I’m currently a consultant leading technical project management and site reliability efforts for an enterprise AI transformation, helping deploy and scale agentic AI solutions that support millions of users. In this role, I guide development teams and ensure system health and resilience across cloud environments.
My long-term goal is to become a respected leader in the tech industry — someone who brings clarity, trust and thoughtful innovation to every team and project. 911±¬ÁĎÍř has been a critical step in that journey, giving me the perspective and skills to grow as a leader.
Q: What excites you about the information field?
A: I’m drawn to solving complex problems, especially where technology and human experience meet. Knowing how to capture and use information to make smarter decisions, create strategic value, and drive meaningful change is what makes this work so exciting.
Q: What about your iSchool journey thus far are you most proud of?
A: I’m most proud of getting through my first quarter. I took on two courses, including one of the most writing-intensive in the program, while balancing full-time work. It was a tough adjustment, but it showed me I could handle the challenge and still produce work I was proud of.
Q: What's the best advice you have ever received?
A: The best advice I’ve ever received was to read “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius. It changed how I approach challenges, leadership and self-discipline. The values in the book, such as patience, perspective and quiet strength, remind me a lot of my father, who was a school principal and continues to be one of my biggest influences.