A letter from the Vice President for Information Technology & CIO

On behalf of the Division of Information Technology, I am pleased to share our Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) Annual Report.

Information technology underpins nearly every aspect of Virginia Tech’s mission and daily operations, offering expansive capabilities and opportunity. Alongside those benefits, though, come challenges and risks. The rapid pace of change in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, cyber threats, the cost of hardware and software, competition for IT talent, and the need to upgrade aging systems and facilities continue to shape the university’s technology roadmap, requiring sound decisions in partnership with university leadership.

To respond effectively to this changing environment, the Division of Information Technology has worked closely with partners across Virginia Tech over the past several years to establish and strengthen the foundations for long-term progress.

In FY2026, that work yielded measurable results. With a shared IT Strategic Plan, stronger organizational and project-management capabilities, and re-envisioned IT governance, we increased our capacity to make thoughtful decisions about where we invest, how we manage risk, and how technology can best advance the university’s mission.

That increased capacity is now shaping how the division manages technology across the enterprise. We are optimizing investments and services around university-wide priorities: reducing duplication, enhancing security, and freeing resources for modernization and innovation. At the same time, our expanded AI infrastructure and research computing capabilities are broadening university-wide access to powerful tools for teaching, research, and operations, while helping us manage costs and protect university data.

Progress of this kind depends on capable people and strong partnerships. I am deeply grateful for the talent and dedication of my colleagues in the Division of IT and for the faculty, staff, students, and technology professionals throughout Virginia Tech whose expertise and collaboration make this progress possible.

FY2026 marked an important step forward in Virginia Tech’s technology transformation, but it is only the beginning. In the years ahead, we will continue modernizing core systems, updating aging infrastructure, managing risk, expanding capabilities, and building the agility and resilience needed to advance Virginia Tech’s global and local impact.

Sincerely,

Sharon P. Pitt
Vice President for Information Technology and
Chief Information Officer
Virginia Tech