Vantage Technology Consulting Group is excited to be EDUCAUSE’s inaugural Strategic Partner. Our core service areas are IT assessment and strategic planning; IT and data governance; information security, privacy, and risk management; and technology operations, including network modernization. Vantage is committed to working with EDUCAUSE to address higher education challenges, share high-quality thought leadership, develop resources, bring members together, and build community. Contact me to discuss how we can help you.

Service to the EDUCAUSE organization as a member of the Corporate Engagement Advisory Committee, which was created to advise EDUCAUSE on strategic directions for EDUCAUSE Corporate Engagement programming and related initiatives, as well as on events, publications, and resources developed to support and evolve the higher education technology market.

Vantage Technology Consulting Group provides system design and strategic technology consulting that links strategy, systems, and infrastructure. We deliver creative thinking and innovative technology solutions backed by established processes and robust engineering skills. I manage projects for Vantage’s strategic consulting service and contribute to IT thought leadership with a focus on higher education. In this role, I advise and collaborate with institutional leadership and IT divisions to address strategic planning, organizational assessments, IT governance, and information security program development. My expertise includes:• IT Service Management• Information Security Program Development• IT Governance• Maturity Assessment Models• Strategic Planning and Assessment

Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, responsible for working with the Appalachian community to develop and implement strategic IT plans and for managing key campus IT resources and services. Provide vision and senior leadership for the development, coordination, and use of technology to enable essential innovation in research, learning, and administrative processes. Nurture and advance a shared IT infrastructure for campus that is agile and capable of anticipating and embracing new technologies. Identify, define and implement an appropriate funding and sourcing model for IT services with consideration for emerging technologies, including central, distributed, and/or externally-provided cloud services. Promote adaptive and technical change across campus through effective communication and collaboration and with a focus on organizational innovation and improvements in service quality and efficiency with careful attention to teaching and research. Enhance information sharing, analytics, and data to facilitate data-driven administrative decision and policy making.

Service to the EDUCAUSE organization as a member of the Higher Education Information Security Council (HEISC), which was created to help higher ed institutions improve information security governance, compliance, data protection, and privacy programs.

Reporting to the CIO, recruited to assume responsibility for the development and delivery of a comprehensive university-wide security program for the University of Arizona. Led UA Information Security Advisory Committee, ad hoc security incident committee, and 200+ Information Security Liaisons. Developed collaborative relationship with campus and credibility for Information Security Office by working with campus members at all levels and building up a cohesive security program from disparate educational and security initiatives. Strategic focus on university research compliance programs to support future growth objectives for $500 million research program at the University of Arizona.

Reporting to the CIO, provided leadership and resource planning for UITS Enterprise Applications, consisting of 50 staff members in academic and administrative enterprise applications management, database/warehouse and web services teams. Strong focus on bringing workforce forward from legacy applications to support web-based n-tiered modern applications with software development and change management best practices. Worked with CIO leadership team on campus-wide technology strategic plans and UITS strategic plans.

Reporting to the Director of FSO-ITS, provided leadership and direction for 20 staff members in Applications Development, Enterprise Team, Server Support, Desktop Support and Help Desk Teams. Fostered collaboration between workgroups to improve processes for payroll, tuition calculation, ACH financial aid disbursements and 1099 and 1098T tax documents.

Reporting to the CIO, provided leadership for ITS management team and for critical infrastructure and technology services. Directed staff members in units associated with telecommunications and networking, information security and university computer store. Created campus security program, managed complex contract negotiations and RFP processes. Implemented organizational changes to align technology services and cost structures with institutional needs and to stabilize financial condition of units. Participated on technology committees to improve campus and university system network services.

Following implementation of telecommunications management system, developed an organization of 15 technical and customer service staff into technical operations unit responsible for all telecommunications management and billing systems. Managed $5M budget and developed rate plan and cost allocation methodology for OMB Circular A-21 audit.