Hi!

My name is Shelly Hokanson, and this is Purple Penguins Studio. Or, I am Purple Penguins Studio - whichever you prefer. I’m a thirty-something new media specialist living and working in the south Chicago suburbs. By day, I’m a Professor of Information Technology at a local college, teaching web design, programming, and network security to students of all ages and walks of life. By night, I’m a mega-rock-star superhero.

Just kidding.

In all seriousness, I’m sure you clicked this “About” link to find out more about me and the work I do as a Purple Penguin. You can get the nitty gritty via my resumes [ technical & teaching | artist ], or read on for the nutshell (and more narrative) version. You can also view my LinkedIn profile, if you’re so inclined.

I am the lead programmer, designer, photographer, project manager, marketing specialist, sales force, and superhero of Purple Penguins Web Studio. I’ve been developing web sites for over 10 years and tinkering with cameras and computers much longer. I started Purple Penguins in 2002 and built PurplePenguins.com (since most people couldn’t remember how to spell my last name). Besides, penguins are cute. I run Purple Penguins part time while maintaining my full time job as an IT Professor.

I’ve been a Professor of Information Technology at the college level for over 8 years. I’ve taught courses in computer repair, networking, security, computer forensics, XHTML & CSS coding, web design with Photoshop and Flash, and web programming (JavaScript, PHP, ASP, etc). I’m active on various college committees and served the college for several years as Chair of the Instructional Technology Committee and Facilitator of Instructional Technology. My primary interests within the college lie in distance education issues and teaching and learning with technology.

When I’m not at work, you can find me out taking pictures of birds and landscapes and people and shapes and textures and anything else that catches my eye. When indoors, I enjoy playing the game Ultima Online and building UO-related web sites. I’m an avid reader, blogger, and poker player.

I am interested in freelance or contract-based photography, web design, and internet technology training & consulting opportunities.

Educational background: Bachelor of Business Administration, Major: Computer Information Systems, Robert Morris College Chicago, 1997. Master of Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005. Master Online Teacher graduate certificate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002.

Professional associations & credentials: Member, International Webmasters Association (since January 2001). Member, World Organization of Webmasters (since 2005). Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSE). Certified Internet Webmaster Master Web Site Designer (CIW). CIW Certified Trainer. WOW certified Web Developer Associate (CWDVA). WOW certified Professional Webmaster. WOW certified Professional Web Site Designer. CompTIA Certified Computer Repair Professional (A+). CompTIA Certified Network Professional (Network+).