I am encouraged to see how the role of the technology leader has evolved over the years. I can’t imagine any higher education institution going through this transformation now without one. Higher education needs CIOs who are strategic partners to all business leaders and who can align functional needs to their technology plans; who know how to balance the technical challenges and priorities they already face with new demands for innovation and progress; who are risk takers, but not so risky that they put continuity of operations at risk; who understand cybersecurity and will do what is needed to protect the college or university; who can communicate in basic terms and put away the technical dictionary; and who know how to lead a team, advocate for them and in the end manage the work successfully.
