Live! Integrative CIO Podcast: Five Myths about CIOs in Higher Education
This live recording of the EDUCAUSE Integrative CIO podcast will challenge five persistent myths about what it takes to be an effective CIO in higher education today. Too often, campus stakeholders assume CIOs must hold a PhD, report directly to the president, come from a narrow technical background, or follow a single prescribed career path to be successful. In reality, modern CIOs bring diverse experiences and leadership styles while serving as strategic partners in institutional transformation, student success, research advancement, and operational resilience. A panel of experienced IT leaders will unpack five prevalent myths, share candid stories from their own trajectories, and offer a more accurate, nuanced picture of the CIO role as it evolves in response to digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity pressures, and shifting expectations from presidents, provosts, and faculty. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the value CIOs bring, along with practical ideas for strengthening collaboration between IT leadership and colleagues across the institution.
Presenters
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Sarah Buszka
Executive Director, Applied AI Lab,
Waukesha County Technical College
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Michael Cato
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer,
Bowdoin College
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Cynthia Golden
Executive Strategic Consultant,
Vantage Technology Consulting Group
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Dave Weil
SVP for Strategic Services & Initiatives,
Ithaca College