Wesam Helou
Chief Information Officer,
Cleveland State University
From 'No' to 'Go:' Breaking Barriers, Building Trust
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 9:45AM–10:30AM CT | EDUCAUSE Commons, EDUCAUSE Central Poster Area
Session Type:
Poster Session
Delivery Format:
Poster
As the CIO, I led a transformative initiative to overhaul our ERP system, establish a data warehouse, and modernize Identity Access Management (IAM)—a feat that eluded my predecessors, despite multiple attempts. This session will explore how relationship-building became the cornerstone of breaking a decades-long cycle of resistance and failure. Attendees will hear a candid recounting of how we rallied diverse stakeholders, reframed past setbacks as learning opportunities, and built a coalition of support to secure approval and momentum for this ambitious project. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, I’ll share how cultivating a culture of openness and collaboration can turn institutional inertia into a springboard for technological innovation. This session is ideal for IT leaders navigating complex change in higher education.