There are studies about how humans tend to resist change and their various reasons why. It’s prevalent, but not much comfort to any higher education executive whose mission is to make enhancements for the good of the institution, which undoubtedly require change. Jim La Creta of Brandeis University found himself within that very delicate balance. Hear how he wrestled with a complex core system implementation and its ongoing change management needs. On the flip side, see how he easily won support by making small, but meaningful changes. In this Top of Mind Podcast also discover the following.

All companies, not just higher education institutions, are challenged with hiring and retaining top talent. The unemployment rate is hovering around a low four percent. So, not only are colleges and universities facing a tight candidate pool, they are hard pressed to compensate them like the private sector can. Shady Azzam-Gomez, Vice President for Information Technology and CIO at Suffolk County Community College, shares how he overcomes these talent management obstacles in our Top of Mind podcast. His special approach and concerted effort to carve out time, helps solidify his connection with direct reports. Find out how now. 

Is artificial intelligence impacting higher education and, if so, how? That questions is answered in depth in this Top of Mind interview with Dr. Curtis Carver, Vice President of IT and CIO at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Carver describes his university’s various technology projects currently underway, how they are lightening workloads for faculty and staff, and giving students a competitive advantage.

Kelly Walsh became CIO of The College of Westchester in 2008 after a 20-year career in technology. That background made him a natural to explore the relationship between instructional technology and student success. Because he wanted to understand the classroom experience and how the technology could enhance it, Walsh took up teaching, plunged himself into social media, and talked with educators. He created content about learning paired with technology to share with others. Walsh is a writer, the founder and author of EmergingEdTech.com and closely aligned with Flipped Learning Network (FLN). You’ll understand his enthusiasm for this space when you listen to this podcast.

As part of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2018, Tambellini’s Katelyn Ilkani talks with Fred Damiano, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and CIO of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, consortium model for cybersecurity. Damiano discusses how Hobart and William Smith, along with five other institutions, made the strategic decision to jointly work on cybersecurity programs together and to partner with an outside firm for managed security services. He details the steps to launch the consortium, including the creation of guiding principles and information security roadmaps, challenges and lessons learned, and the impacts to cybersecurity efforts at Hobart and William Smith.

Sharon Blanton, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), talks with The Tambellini Group’s Katelyn Ilkani about migrating to Oracle Cloud for finance and HCM. Describing this project as a business transformation and technology modernization initiative, Blanton explains TCNJ’s selection process, including the decision to move ERP to the cloud, evaluation of vendor solutions, and method for choosing Huron Consulting Group as an implementation partner. She describes working with Oracle and offers advice on backfill of staff and change management.