Tracy Baker

I began my IT career in 1978, in high school, where I began to learn programming languages on the IBM 360 mainframe and Apple ][ desktop computers. Upon graduating, I attended San Jacinto Junior College, just outside Houston, Texas, where I continued my programming studies on the Osbourne 1 computer. Due to financial difficulties, I was unable to finish my schooling and joined the U.S. Navy.

While in the Navy, I learned about circuit design and troubleshooting, most specifically for RADAR systems. I became an Electronics Technician.

After leaving the Navy, I worked in industry for approximately 25 years in many different capacities, including PC break/fix technician, system administrator, network administrator, programmer and consultant.

During the economic downturn, I was laid-off. Due to the lack of any college degree or professional certification, I was unable to find any meaningful work. As a result, I returned to college in 2011 where I attended EMCC's Red Hat, Cisco, and VMware Academies. I graduated with two AAS degrees in 2012, both with highest distinction.

While attending EMCC I accomplished many things, aside from earning degrees:

• I became a CRLA certified tutor.
• I earned two professional IT certifications, the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).
• I became an adjunct instructor (Cisco) at South Mountain Community College (SMCC).

After I graduated in 2012, I went to work at SMCC where I continued to be an adjunct instructor, a systems administrator (professional staff), course developer (Cisco capstone and Linux classes), and tutor.

Along the way, I earned the Cisco Certified Network Associate - Security, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Linux+, and NSA CNSS 4011 certifications.

I was hired at EMCC in January 2016 as a Computer Information Systems residential faculty, where I teach all of the Red Hat Academy's Linux classes as well as some Cisco classes.

During the summer of 2017, I earned the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) professional certification.

During  the 2018 Red Hat North American Training Partner and Instructor Conference, EMCC's Red Hat Academy was awarded the Director's Award for the work I've done converting Red Hat's commercial training labs into those more suitable for the academic environment.

During the summer of 2019, I earned the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) professional certification.

During the summer / fall of 2021, I finally finished my Associate of Arts degree and AGEC. Beginning Fall 2022, I am taking classes at Northern Arizona Univeristy.