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The Evolving Role of the Higher Education CIO (Polymath) A Report on the Research Conducted for a Dissertation at The University of Pennsylvania Jerry DeSanto, Ed.D. VP for Planning and CIO The University of Scranton. Why Study This Topic?. Other Reasons.
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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 Scranton
Other Reasons • 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
Study Process Steps • Formulation of Research Question(s) • Literature Review • Development of Research Methodology • Pilot Study • 2011 LBCIO Survey of CIOs • Qualitative Study • Analysis and Synthesis • Findings and Conclusions
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?
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
Relevant Findings • Consumerization • The Cloud • Security, Risk Management & Compliance • Service is still King • Seat at the Cabinet Table • Reporting Lines • Strategic, Yes • CIO as Informaticist • Traits In the qualitative study there were no discernible differences in CIOs by size, type of University or by years in the CIO role
Synthesis Higher Education CIO Trait Buckets HIGHER EDUCATION CIO Leadership Higher Education Technical Interpersonal Business
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.
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
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? • Female CIOs appear to be doing great work and are particularly well suited to the role
Honesty, Integrity, and Trust • A theme I repeatedly heard, especially from other senior officers • Why? • 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
Value CreationRevenue 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
Higher Education CIOs who Immigrate from Other Industries • CIOs entering Higher Education from other industries come with a different mindset and perspective • 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.
Higher Education CIO Role Research Questions Conclusion Matrix
Was Nicolas Carr Right about the 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
Synthesis Portrait of the Higher Education CIO1992 2012 and Beyond 19922012 and Beyond
Full Study Available at http://www.lbcio.org Questions and Comments