Rita Barrantes
Dir, IT Customer Services,
University of Houston
Bridge and Beacon: IT's Unique Role in Shaping Strategy
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 1:00PM–1:45PM CT | Meeting Room 106 C, Level 1
Session Type:
Breakout Session
Delivery Format:
Presentation/Panel Session
IT is often seen as the team that “makes the Wi-Fi work.” In reality, IT sits at the crossroads of every major decision a university makes. First, IT leaders hear the full spectrum of voices—from faculty needs and student expectations to administrative priorities—and understand the trade-offs between them. By balancing these interests, IT can guide the selection and integration of technology that maximizes value and impact across the institution. Second, as domain experts, IT is the in-house futurist that brings essential insights into current and emerging capabilities of the technology market—critical for informed strategic planning and future-proofing. Technology drives transformational change that delivers business value, and IT professionals are uniquely qualified to communicate this with stakeholders in their own language. This ability to translate technical opportunities into strategic outcomes makes IT a vital partner in shaping institutional direction. This panel will share practical frameworks that illustrate how IT leadership can prioritize technology strategies and shape a forward-looking digital vision for the organization as a whole.
