Focus Areas
We have identified six focus areas (IT organizational capabilities, IT services, data and analytics, research IT, teaching and learning technologies, and administrative IT) that we will use to structure specific conversations. We have also identified four catalysts (IT security, artificial intelligence, IT infrastructure, and user experience management) that are common across all focus areas and will be discussed within the context of those focus areas.
Catalysts
Catalysts are cross-cutting factors that are integral to the success of all IT-related endeavors, or in the case of artificial intelligence, a newly emerging field of possibility that is expanding so rapidly that it is difficult to pin it down to a single area of endeavor. Each of these elements needs to be considered holistically and freshly incorporated into the planning for each project or initiative, ensuring a coordinated and responsive approach.
IT Security
Robust protection of the university’s systems, capabilities, personal data, and proprietary data is an essential need that must be considered during the planning and design process for any system or activity at the institution. With that understanding, discussions about IT security best practices and implications will be infused into all working group activities.
Artificial Intelligence
Applications for and research around Artificial Intelligence have impacts that can vary based on context. With that in mind, exploration of possible uses, risks or benefits, and considerations surrounding AI will be considered by each working group and project as appropriate.
IT Infrastructure
Our IT Infrastructure (starting with our wired and wireless networks, but extending to all our core IT services) undergirds all other IT capabilities at Virginia Tech. IT infrastructure is often shared but can be used or configured in different ways depending on specific needs. IT infrastructure needs will be documented and discussed by each working group and project.
User Experience Management
The ways in which the Virginia Tech community interacts with and experiences various technology solutions, from discovery to onboarding to skills development to task completion to offboarding, help shape and define their understanding of and feelings about those solutions. User experience management considers these as a core part of the planning and design process, providing communication, support, and assessing user satisfaction. Each working group will think about user experience management needs as a part of their deliberations.
Working Groups
Administrative Technologies
Charge: Identify strategies to improve the capabilities and sustainability of Virginia Tech’s major administrative applications and business processes.
- Lucas Covey, Director for Enterprise Systems Technology Strategy & Planning, Division of Information Technology
- Micah Fairchild, Director of HR, Student Affairs
- Maura Gardner, HR Division Director, Greater Washington D.C. Metro Area, Human Resources and Innovation Campus
- Pascha Gerni, AVP for Finance and Administration, President's Office
- Vicki Hall, Director of Strategic and Operational Planning, Division of Information Technology
- Carol Hurley, Associate Director for Faculty and Staff Technology Resources, Division of Information Technology
- Adam Lane, IT Specialist, College of Liberal Arts
- Amber Pifer, Human Resources Generalist, Division of Information Technology
- Zo Qazi, Director of the Project Management Office, Division of Information Technology
- Neil Rickmond, Computer Operations Technician, Enrollment Management
- Radka Schenk Kretinska, Senior Director for Electronic Research Administration & Process Improvement, Office of Research and Innovation
- Jay Smith, Director of Finance Applications, Division of Information Technology
- Ryan Spoon, Director of Information Technology, College of Engineering
- Melinda West, AVP for Finance and University Controller, Finance
Data and Analytics
Charge: Identify strategies to improve Virginia Tech’s ability to securely and effectively capture, manage, access, and analyze administrative and academic (non-research) data.
- Chris Akers, Senior Assistant Registrar for Systems, Enrollment Management
- David Crotts, Director for Financial Management and Business Operations, Finance
- Jeff Cumberland, Director of Talent Acquisition, Human Resources
- Tom Demmer, Principal Data Analytics Auditor, Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance
- Jonathan Dixon, Assistant Director for Data and Analytics Infrastructure, Academic Resource Management
- Karen Herrington, Director for Strategic Analytics, Division of Information Technology
- Rob Hopkins, Assistant Vice Provost for Analytics & AI, Analytics & Institutional Effectiveness
- Brent Kremer, Director of Data Management and Analytics, Division of Information Technology
- Christine D. Luketic, Director for HR Analytics and Reporting, Division of Human Resources
- Randy Marchany, University IT Security Officer, Division of Information Technology
- Christopher McNabb, Database Administrator, Division of Information Technology
- Joseph Mills, Director of Financial Analysis and Strategy, Finance
- Dave Ryan, Consumer Experience Operations Analyst, Division of Information Technology
- Brennan Shepard, Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President & COO’s Office
- Heather Strine-Patterson, Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Strategy, Division of Student Affairs
IT Organizational Capabilities
Charge: Identify strategies to position the Division of IT to support technology strategies and enhance collaboration between all IT groups at Virginia Tech.
- Jason Clemons, Cloud Engineer, Division of Information Technology
- Angela Correa, Director of Communications, Division of Information Technology
- Carlos Evia, Professor, Associate Dean and CTO, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
- Hikmet Gursoy, Information Technology Director, Student Affairs
- Charlie Lisanti, Director of Finance Information Technology & Innovation, Finance
- Christina Mathai, Professional and Organizational Development Specialist, Division of Information Technology
- Terri Pecora, Director of Academic Applications, Division of Information Technology
- Karen Schnatterly, Associate Professor, Pamplin College of Business
- Neil Sedlak, Senior Director for Information Technology, Office of Research and Innovation
- Kenneth Stevens, IT Manager, Enrollment Management
- Matthew Strickler, Associate Director for Systems Operations, Division of Information Technology
- Paul Taylor, Team Lead Business Applications, Division of Information Technology
- Tyler Walters, Dean, University Libraries
IT Services
Charge: Identify strategies to improve the way in which universitywide IT services are selected, designed, promoted, and governed.
- Chris Bateson, System Administration IT Manager, Division of Information Technology
- Rick Craig, Director of Information Technology, College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
- Lee Doughty, Senior Cloud Systems Engineer, Division of Information Technology
- Karen Floyd, Senior Director for Service & Business Management, Division of Information Technology
- Brian Konkel, Director of Information, Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Jason "Jed" Krisch, Director, Information Technology, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and HS&T
- Jacob Lahne, Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Chip Mann, Assistant Director Technology Development, Finance
- Dave Martin, Escalation Engineer, Division of Information Technology
- Jerrad Miers, Director, Systems Administration and Technology Support, Advancement
- Zeynep Ondin, Director of User Experience Design and Assessment, Division of Information Technology
- Jeff Phillips, Associate Director of IT User Experience, College of Engineering
- Shannon Phillips, Director of IT Operations, University Libraries
Research IT
Charge: Identify strategies to continuously enhance the capabilities of the research cyberinfrastructure (technology and services).
- Nicole Akers, Assistant Director for Research, College of Engineering
- Zeb Bowden, Division Director for Technology Development and Deployment, ORI - VTTI
- Alberto Cano, Associate Vice President for Research Computing, Division of Information Technology
- Julie Cook, Director for Privacy and Research Data Protection Program, Office of Research and Innovation
- Jeff Crowder, Executive Director for IT Partnerships and Research Support, Division of Information Technology
- Mark Gardner, Network Research Manager, Division of Information Technology
- Carl Harris, Chief Technology Architect, Division of Information Technology
- Ian Heflin, Head, Support Desk Operations, University Libraries
- Randy Heflin, Senior Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, Office of Research and Innovation
- Bill Ingram, Associate Dean and Executive Director for IT, University Libraries
- Jeremy Johnson, IT Operations Manager, Division of Information Technology
- Chris Kuhlman, Computational Scientist in Advanced Research Computing, Division of Information Technology
- Dan Lepore, Director of Information Technology, College of Science
- Ayat Mohammed, Computational Scientist, Division of Information Technology
- Andi Ogier, Associate Dean, University Libraries
- Jonathan Petters, Associate Director, Data Management and Curation Services, University Libraries
- Nathaniel Porter, Social Science Data Consultant & Data Education Coordinator, University Libraries
- David Raymond, Associate VP for Security and Identity, Division of Information Technology
Teaching and Learning Technologies
Charge: Identify strategies to improve widely used teaching and learning technologies and to support a full awareness of our technology offerings and capabilities that support pedagogy across schools and colleges.
- Dave Andrews, Associate Director of Employee Wellness, Human Resources
- Bethany Bodo, Assistant Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Analytics and Institutional Effectiveness
- Brian Broniak, Senior Director for IT Learning Systems, Division of Information Technology
- Virginia Buechner-Maxwell, Professor, Large Animal Clinical Science and Director of the Center for Animal-Human Relationships (CENTAUR), Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
- David Duckett, Coordinator of Service Design and Evaluation, Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS)
- Adam Fenton, Billing and Technical Specialist of Technology Lending Desk, University Libraries
- Deyu Hu, Associate Director, Training and Research, Division of Information Technology
- Alicia L. Johnson, Director of Graduate and Professional Studies, College of Engineering
- Chris Kovach, Solutions Architect, Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS)
- Jackie Meese, Applications Administrator, Division of Information Technology
- Shelley Seckers, Assistant Director for Financial Management, Finance
- Patrick Tomlin, Associate Dean for Academic and Creative Engagement, University Libraries
- Quinn Warnick, Assistant Vice Provost for Technology-Enhanced Learning, Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS)
- Daniel Yaffe, Director of Learning Technologies Support, Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS)
- Diane Zahm, Associate Professor, School of Public and International Affairs
Division of IT Quicklinks
Division of IT Homepage: Learn about the IT organization, jobs, and services that we offer.
4Help Self-Service Dashboard: Ask for help, browse our Knowledge Base for answers, or connect to IT support services.
IT Service Catalog: Find and request technology services available to Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff.
Software Services: Providing technology solutions that meet the changing needs of Virginia Tech's students, faculty, and staff.
Division of IT Intranet: log into InIT, the IT employee intranet.
VT Division of IT @VT_IT 
Virginia Tech Division of IT @vt_techsupport