Dive Brief:
- Nearly half of all CIOs could retire in the next decade, and changing demands of IT teams will require planning to properly fill that pipeline.
- IT departments must be centers of innovation to meet the satisfaction demands of student and faculty users, and becoming that takes greater collaboration across campus departments and a more entrepreneurial culture, among other things.
- Campus Technology reports Michael Kubit, deputy CIO at Case Western Reserve University recommends many shifts, including to continuous training, knowledge sharing, creating a culture of accountability, and fewer management levels.
Dive Insight:
The jobs of IT leaders in higher education are changing drastically with the digital revolution. Instead of simply executing a set of processes, IT leaders are being expected to drive innovation. CIOs must keep a finger on the pulse of an entire campus, staying ahead of the curve about what students and faculty are using and what functionality they need. Digital tools are becoming increasingly critical to the teaching and learning process.
One thing that hasn’t changed for IT leaders, however, is that administrators want to see proposals that keep costs down. In a shifting landscape, that particular role is sure to stick around.