A featured contribution from Leadership Perspectives, a curated forum for enterprise technology leaders, nominated by our subscribers and vetted by the CIOApplications Editorial Board.
Depauw University
Transforming the Student Journey through Driven Innovation
In this interview, Carol Smith shares her perspective on navigating the evolving landscape of higher education through thoughtful digital transformation, strategic resource management and a deep commitment to institutional collaboration. Her insights highlight how purposeful technology leadership can empower learning, innovation and long-term resilience.
Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Evolving Educational Landscape
The constantly evolving nature of higher education has helped me remain relevant and effective in this role for nearly 17 years. Driven by new technologies, shifting student expectations, and changing institutional priorities, the field never stands still, which makes the work both challenging and fulfilling.
I’ve grown alongside these changes, embracing each new development as an opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways. Over time, I’ve found a true sense of purpose within this dynamic and vibrant academic environment.
Balancing Innovation, Security and Resources in Higher Education
At the heart of many challenges in higher education IT is a need for balance. Working at a smaller institution, we face constraints in staffing and resources, yet we’re still expected to deliver the same level of service and innovation as our larger counterparts. Our students arrive with the same expectations about how technology should support their learning experience.
The challenge, then, is managing competing priorities. Take cybersecurity, for instance; we must protect digital assets and uphold the privacy of faculty, staff, and students while also preserving the openness required for
This tension extends to managing limited funding and personnel while pushing for innovation.
Whether through robust administrative systems or research-ready networks, we aim to allocate resources wisely to meet increasing demands.
One approach that has proven invaluable is collaboration. The higher education IT community is incredibly collegial. While institutions may compete for students, we share a common mission that fosters a willingness to exchange ideas, challenges, and best practices. This collective wisdom has helped institutions like ours solve problems more effectively and avoid working in silos. Together, we’re stronger.
Exploring Emerging Technologies and Strengthening Digital Trust
Like many in the sector, we are still in the early stages of exploring how to thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and predictive analytics. These tools hold promise, whether in classrooms or administrative functions, but they also raise important questions about governance and responsibility.
The better you understand others’ needs, the more meaningful and aligned your solutions will be
Our major focus is developing institutional policies and guidelines that support the safe and effective use of AI while protecting sensitive data. In the past, data governance was fairly binary, and certain data was restricted to defined secure environments. However, the lines are more blurred with the rise of large language models and generative AI. Where and how we store or process data has become more complex. Trust in external providers and vendors offering AI tools has become central. Institutions increasingly rely on service agreements and good-faith commitments that data won’t be misused. The shift from strict control to trust-based governance has made navigating this space more nuanced.
Driving Transformation and Redefining the Role of IT
One of our most significant initiatives is a multi-year transition to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) and student information system. This shift from a legacy homegrown platform to a modern, cloud-based solution is already transforming how we operate.
The new system offers students a more intuitive, seamless experience, making tasks like registration, advising, and billing easier to navigate. It also gives us the data visibility to support strategic planning, resource management, and predictive analytics around course offerings and student success.
Beyond tools and systems, this transformation underscores the evolving role of IT in academia. Our work now extends far beyond infrastructure management. We are expected to serve as strategic partners, working across departments to co-create solutions that enable others to thrive. Data fluency, cross-functional collaboration, and agile problem-solving have become essential capabilities.
Looking ahead, I believe that staying effective in IT leadership requires more than technical acumen. It takes curiosity, adaptability, and strong relationships. My advice to aspiring leaders is this: be curious about what’s coming next, be flexible in how you respond, and be intentional about building relationships across your institution.
The better you understand others' needs, the more meaningful and aligned your solutions will be. I strongly advocate for active engagement within your campus and the broader higher education IT community. Collaboration and partnership aren’t just helpful but essential. For anyone in a CIO role, these connections empower you to align technology with institutional goals and truly make a difference.
