Cody Thornell

MBA/CS Student

Kalamazoo, MI

IT and Software Developer

Experienced developer with a multitude of software projects and IT experience. My skillsets range from coding languages like Python, Bash, Typescript, Dart to managing systems such as Active Directory, Linux Servers and Oracle EBS.

Beyond software development and IT work, I love building side projects and am passionate in learning more about the business side of technology.

Experience

Aug 2025 - Present

IT Graduate Manager

WMU CAE Center

Working under the IT Director to manage a team of 12+ students in facilitating IT operations and internal software development, overseeing the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Managing workflows for Image Deployment, Support Ticketing, Server Room Administration, and Software Development.
Assisting in leading a campus wide rollout of Active Directory and Group Policies across 300+ endpoints.
Handling timesheets and payroll coordination, overseeing student employment and scheduling, and hiring/training new staff.

May 2023 - Aug 2025

IT System Administrator

WMU CAE Center

Provided comprehensive IT support, troubleshooting and resolving issues related to computers, printers, projectors, and other tech equipment.
Assisted in managing licensing servers and worked with computer imaging to ensure streamlined installations and software configurations.
Utilized a ticket-based system for efficient task management, addressing both team and individual IT requirements.
Developed basic scripts for system checks and actively contributed to the documentation of best practices on the company's internal wiki.

Oct 2024 - Jul 2025

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Western Michigan University

Contributed to multiple research projects on emerging technologies in collaboration with WMED School and partner institutions.
AR/MR Research: Developed a heart-anatomy lab prototype using augmented/mixed reality alongside WMED students and faculty.
AI/LLM Research: Built an SMS system via Africa's Talking to give the Ogiek community resource access, featuring preset menus and an LLM-powered RAG engine for custom queries.

May 2024 - Feb 2025

IT Systems Engineering Intern/Co-op

Gentex Corporation

Developed scripts and Power BI reports for multiple IT teams, enhancing operational efficiency and data analysis.
Trained with the Oracle DBA team, performing DBA tasks on Oracle EBS systems via Linux and web interfaces, as well as assisting with database patching and cloning.
Engineered scripts and queries using Bash, SQL, PL/SQL, and Python for Linux maintenance and IT reporting needs.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams and responded to system requests, gaining expertise in Oracle EBS systems and improving communication skills.