The true challenge lies in getting others at the institution on board.
GUEST COLUMN | by Sam Burgio
FAHMI RUDDIN HIDAYAT
Modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) have captured the attention of higher education leaders, promising benefits for nearly every stakeholder—students, their families, staff, and faculty alike. From personalized learning experiences to streamlined administrative processes, these innovations are often touted as game-changers. However, as technology champions strive to implement new systems and processes on campus, the true challenge lies in getting others at the institution on board. To capitalize on the promise of new technology, institutions must first foster a culture of change.
Improve Collaboration Between Campus Leaders and CIO/CTOS
In the past, the relationship between institutional leaders and IT departments often centered around cost management or technical troubleshooting. Today, that relationship must evolve. CIOs and CTOs are no longer just technical advisors or problem-solvers—they should be integral to the strategic planning process, guiding the institution through the complexities of adopting AI and other advanced technologies.
‘CIOs and CTOs are no longer just technical advisors or problem-solvers—they should be integral to the strategic planning process, guiding the institution through the complexities of adopting AI and other advanced technologies.’
As an IT leader, fostering strong collaboration with campus leadership is key to driving successful digital transformation. When IT leaders and campus execs can align on strategy, technology, and goals, they can catalyze systemic change that enhances student success and strengthens institutional sustainability.
Here’s how IT leaders can work more effectively with campus presidents and other senior administrators to accelerate transformation:
1. Establish Open and Ongoing Dialogue: IT leaders should prioritize maintaining an open line of communication with campus executives, ensuring that they are aligned on current systems, pain points, and emerging technologies. Regular check-ins help ensure that IT’s technical vision supports the institution’s strategic goals.
2. Position IT as a Strategic Leader: Presidents should view their CIO/CTO not just as a tech expert but as a strategic partner. Encourage campus presidents and senior leadership to invite the CIO/CTO into strategic planning sessions, decision-making processes, and leadership meetings. This can help ensure that technology is considered a central driver of institutional goals.
3. Collaborate on Budget and Resource Decisions: When it comes to budgeting and resource allocation for technology initiatives, IT leaders should be proactive in consulting with campus leadership. By demonstrating the long-term value of digital transformation, IT professionals can ensure that tech priorities are properly funded and aligned with the institution’s objectives.
4. Promote Innovative, Mission-Driven Solutions: In their meetings with campus leadership, IT leaders should actively promote innovative approaches that focus on the institution’s mission. By presenting technology as an enabler of the broader institutional mission, IT leaders can gain buy-in for transformative projects that drive real, mission-aligned change.
Learn From Smaller, Agile Institutions
While all institutions have felt the pressures of a rapidly evolving higher education landscape, smaller institutions have felt these pressures more keenly, and have been feeling them for a longer period of time. To stay competitive and relevant, they’ve had to become more innovative and adaptable. In fact, because of their size, these institutions can often act with greater agility, facilitating and implementing new technology and strategies more quickly and efficiently than their larger counterparts.
To drive change and foster a culture of innovation, there’s a great deal that larger institutions can learn from their smaller counterparts.
1. Invest in Enrollment: Smaller institutions are using solutions like AI-powered chatbots to engage prospective students and gather data on their preferences. This helps in refining enrollment strategies and understanding student interests. Chatbots also allow administrators to tailor marketing efforts based on real-time data and enhance communication with future students.
2. Automate Administrative Processes: Smaller schools are automating routine tasks like class registration, housing assignments, and other administrative duties. This reduces the workload on staff and ensures that they can focus on more strategic initiatives. Automation leads to improved efficiency, allowing campuses to allocate resources more effectively.
3. Harness Predictive Analytics: Smaller institutions are using predictive analytics to gather data from multiple sources—grades, attendance, financial aid, and more. They’re using this data to determine everything from at-risk students, to better curriculum design. This, in turn, is helping to boost student retention
4. Integrate Campus Data: With the help of AI and data integration tools, smaller institutions are consolidating student data from various sources into a unified platform. This enables faster, more informed decisions about student support and resource allocation. Breaking down data silos also helps institutions respond quickly to emerging trends and make adjustments to improve student outcomes.
For any institution, adopting these strategies can help create a more nimble and responsive campus environment.
Shaping the Future of Campus Innovation
Adopting a culture of change in higher education requires a collaborative approach, where campus leaders and IT teams work closely to align technology strategies with institutional goals. Additionally, by embracing lessons from smaller institutions, larger campuses can adapt agile, innovative solutions that streamline operations, engage students, and improve outcomes. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, these two approaches will help ensure campuses are equipped to meet today’s challenges, seize future opportunities, and drive long-term success for students and institutions alike.
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Sam Burgio is President and Chief Operating Officer of Jenzabar, a leading provider of technology solutions for higher education. With over 30 years of experience in the IT consulting industry, Sam is a seasoned leader and problem solver who is passionate about helping higher education institutions adapt and thrive in the changing landscape. Connect with Sam on LinkedIn.
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