Isabelle Boutin, Professor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, is originally from Quebec, Canada, and holds degrees in computer science from the University of Sherbrooke. After graduating, she worked for the Canadian government as a computer programmer before relocating to Australia where she served as a programmer/analyst for Australia’s Department of Customs and Border Protection. She worked for Australia’s Customs and Border Protection department for 20 years before moving to Alaska where she continued her career as a GIS programmer/analyst for Chugach, Alaska’s largest electric company.
While serving as a programmer/analyst for Chugach, Isabelle also taught computer science and Information Technology courses for the University of Alaska, Anchorage. As a professor at UAA, Isabelle developed and taught Alaska’s first Ethical Hacking course, which proved to be a big hit with computer science students.
Isabelle recently retired from her 30-year career as a programmer/analyst but continues to teach for the UAA. While programming has been her main focus, she has also ventured into other areas such as serving as a debate coach, developing phone applications, and creating games using Python.
Now that she has retired from the administrative aspects of her career, she enjoys being able to focus on the teaching and learning aspects of education. She has a strong passion for Debate, coding, and public speaking. She specializes in students who are low in confidence or those who are shy. She is knowledgeable about all aspects of communication, especially public speaking, and debate. She has ultimately decided to pass on her knowledge and teach these communication skills, which she finds most rewarding. She is passionate about getting students excited about public speaking and debate, which she feels will not only benefit their futures as adults but also their current lives. She also enjoys running, biking, and cooking. She makes the best sourdough bread and tomato basil soup.