Jason Hardy serves as the Assistant Vice President of IT Operations at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he oversees all Infrastructure and Operations functions for the university. With a career at UTA spanning over two decades, Jason leads a team of more than 120 full-time staff and 60 students, managing a $20M budget to deliver innovative and reliable technological solutions. His key responsibilities include driving enterprise technology strategy, aligning IT investments with institutional goals, and modernizing the university's technology infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and educational outcomes.Before his current role, Jason held various leadership positions at UTA, including systems administration, architecture, identity management, data center operations, and research computing. Prior to joining UTA, he served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he was stationed with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Jason holds a master’s degree in information systems management and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering, and he has completed professional development programs, including the Executive Leadership course at Cornell University. In 2020, he received the Juniper Networks Elevate Award for AI Innovation, recognizing his efforts in transforming the student experience and advancing UTA’s mission of learning, research, and community outreach. Jason also contributes to the broader IT community through his work on the Technical Advisory Group for the Lonestar Education and Research Network and the Juniper Networks Higher Education Advisory Board.Guided by a servant and visionary leadership philosophy, Jason is committed to driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth. His INFJ-A (Advocate) personality reflects his mission-focused dedication to making meaningful impacts in higher education and beyond. Outside of his professional endeavors, Jason is an active volunteer and currently serves as the media director at his church, overseeing production and media engagement. He is a former Team Rubicon volunteer and actively participates in EDUCAUSE initiatives.