Why Study This Topic?

1. The Evolving Role of the Higher Education CIO (Polymath)A Report on the Research Conducted for a Dissertation at The University of PennsylvaniaJerry DeSanto, Ed.D.VP for Planning and CIOThe University of ScrantonEDUCAUSE Mid-Atlantic Regional ConferenceBaltimore, MarylandJanuary 2013

2. Why Study This Topic?

3. Other Influencers… • Few Current Studies Focused on The CIO Profession and How the Role is Changing • The Level of Hyper-Change in the IT Industry Over the Last Five Years • The Current Volatile State of the Higher Education Industry and the Impact on Each of Our Campuses • My Own Professional Experience While on This Journey

4. Study Process Steps • Formulation of Research Question(s) • Literature Review • Development of Research Methodology • Pilot Study • 2011 LBCIO Survey of CIOs • Qualitative Study • Focus Group at EDUCAUSE • Analysis and Synthesis • Findings and Conclusions

5. Research Questions 1. How is the evolving role of the higher education CIO being impacted by the following IT/Higher Education industry forces: Consumerization, The Cloud, Virtualization, IT Security, and Budget Constraints 2. Will the role remain viable into the foreseeable future, and will it tend to be more strategic or operational?

6. Research Methodology • Mixed Methods: • 2011 LBCIO Survey • Approximately 200 CIO Respondents • Added 16 Questions to Support Research • Two Pronged Approach. The Survey Informed the Interview Questions. The Survey Results Informed the Findings and Conclusions • Qualitative Interviews • Eight (8) Higher Education CIOs • Eight (8) Senior officers at Same Institution • Gender, Years as CIO/Senior Officer, Institution Type Diversity Sought • Protocols were Different • EDUCAUSE Focus Group • Twelve (12) Higher Education CIOs (extremely valuable)

7. Characteristics of Interviewed Higher Education CIOs

8. Characteristics of Interviewed Senior Officers

9. Relevant Findings • Consumerization—huge impact • The Cloud--triggering significant changes • Security, Risk Management & Compliance—monumental change • Service is still King • Seat at the Cabinet Table is Critical • Reporting Line to President not so Critical • Strategic, Yes--increasingly • CIO as Chief of Information • Needed Traits have Evolved Note: In the qualitative study there were no discernible differences in CIO responses by size, type of University or by years in the CIO role

10. Synthesis Higher Education CIO Trait Buckets HIGHER EDUCATION CIO Leadership Higher Education Technical Interpersonal Business

11. Non-Findings • Virtualization A wonderful technology development that has resulted in greater efficiencies, staff productivity, and facilitated more flexible service offerings---but isn’t impacting the evolution of the role. • Budget Constraints CIOs in higher education have been dealing with budget constraints seemingly forever. It appears to be the nature of doing business in this space. Thus, the current economic downturn triggering tighter budgets is not impacting the role in any special way.

12. Findings I didn’t Anticipate aka Emergent Ideas to Explore • The Female Higher Education CIO • The Issues of Honesty, Integrity and Trust • Value Creation Revenue Generation? • Higher Education CIOs that Immigrate from Other Industries

14. The Female Higher Education CIO • Proportion rose to about 25% and then leveled off • Why are these numbers not increasing? • Legacy of Engineering, Computer Science? • The “All Boys” Club? • Lack of ambition or interest in the role? • Female CIOs appear to be doing great work and are particularly well suited to the role

15. Honesty, Integrity, and Trust • A theme I repeatedly heard, especially from other senior officers • The Black Box and amount of $$$$ involved • The focus on data security and the value of the data asset • The recognition of the CIO as a key member of senior leadership on campus • The level of reliance on the CIO since others don’t have the knowledge

16. Value CreationRevenue Generation? • In the for-profit sector CIOs more commonly are asked to contribute towards revenue generation • In higher education this doesn’t hold true • HE CIOs are largely expected to create value in other ways, principally through process improvement, CRM strategies, and teaching and learning innovation

17. Higher Education CIOs who Immigrate from Other Industries • CIOs entering Higher Education from other industries come with a different mindset and perspective • Customer and Bottom Line Focus. RCM Institutions. • It would be interesting to explore the comparison of the born and bred higher education CIO vs. their counterpart who has migrated from the for-profit world.

18. Higher Education CIO Role Research Questions Conclusion Matrix

19. Was Nicolas Carr correct about the future extinction of the CIO Role? • Perhaps…. • But, not if higher education CIOs figure out ways of adding value at a strategic level • To be part of the strategic conversations CIOs must be seated at the Cabinet table • But, they don’t have to report to the President

20. Higher Education CIO Role Evolution

21. Synthesis Portrait of the Higher Education CIO1992  2012 and Beyond 19922012 and Beyond

22. From Research to Practice At The University of Scranton

25. Preparing Future HE CIOs • Pay attention to developing skill sets that map to the trait buckets • Practice succession planning actively by selecting aspiring CIOs to mentor • Emphasize professional development, professional certifications, degree completion, etc. • Expose future CIOs to Strategic Institutional Discussions • Ensure that IT planning focuses on adding value at Strategic as well as Tactical/Operational levels

26. Questions and Comments Dissertation Available from ProQuest http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AA13530075