Joel Tshite to deliver Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Commencement Ceremony address

The speaker for the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Ceremony is Joel Tshite, a 2019 Bachelor of Science in Engineering graduate. He is an accomplished Connectivity Engineer with extensive expertise in the design, deployment and management of mission-critical network infrastructure across hyperscale data centers and telecommunication environments. His work has driven the success of complex IT infrastructure and structured cabling initiatives for some of the world’s largest technology firms, including Meta and Oracle.

Currently, Tshite serves as a Senior Data Center Build Engineer for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure in Chicago, Illinois. In this role, he provides technical leadership for white space infrastructure fit-outs within more than 15 data center facilities totaling over 150 megawatts of critical capacity. As the primary technical point of contact for structured cabling, Tshite directs the design, installation and integration of fiber and copper networks, ensuring optimal performance, efficiency and scalability in support of Oracle’s cloud operations. He also oversees vendor management, quality assurance inspections and as-built documentation, ensuring strict adherence to Oracle’s standards and industry best practices.

Prior to joining Oracle, Tshite was a Connectivity Engineer at Meta’s hyperscale data center campus in Virginia, where he led the technical deployment of more than 15,000 server racks across a 90-megawatt operational region. His responsibilities included overseeing QA/QC for inside plant cabling, network infrastructure expansion projects, equipment upgrades and change management processes. His attention to detail and leadership helped enhance the performance and reliability of Meta’s global data center network, contributing to the seamless delivery of services to billions of users worldwide. Tshite’s career began as an Outside Plant Design Engineer for Q Services, where he planned and designed fiber optic networks for Metronet. He was responsible for creating GIS-based fiber layouts and splice locations, permitting, and
ensuring compliance with construction standards and local regulations.

Beyond his professional career, Tshite is deeply committed to community impact and philanthropy. He serves on the TWEENS Advisory Board, where he provides consultancy guidance on strategy to scale the organization’s impact sustainably in the Tongogara refugee camp. He has led TWEENS’ fundraising efforts for the past four years, helping secure resources to expand educational and development programs that empower young refugees.

Additionally, Tshite is the Communications Chair for the USI International Alumni Council, where he drives fundraising strategies and initiatives aimed at supporting USI’s International Students Success Fund. Through his leadership, he works to expand opportunities for students, ensuring they have the financial and academic support necessary to thrive.

Throughout his career, Tshite has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing connectivity solutions that power digital transformation and innovation. His technical acumen spans network topology design, structured cabling, disaster recovery, redundancy planning and IT infrastructure integration. He is also passionate about mentoring teams, driving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring continuous improvement in data center operations.

His contributions to the field of connectivity engineering underscore his dedication to building resilient, high-performance infrastructure that enables the rapid evolution of technology and supports the demands of modern digital ecosystems. Simultaneously, his philanthropic endeavors reflect his deep commitment to creating lasting social impact through education, technology and community development