Kansas State University

From the president and provost: Chief information officer search committee, reporting structure revised

Submitted by President Richard Myers and Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason

Having a secure and robust technology environment is critical for our land-grant missions of education, research and outreach. Keeping up with the rapid changes can be a real challenge, especially in the area of security. Technology affects every facet of our operations and we must not take it for granted.

In 2016, a Legislative Post Audit team published a report: "State Agency Information Systems: Reviewing Security Controls in Selected State Agencies – Kansas State University." The findings of the report clearly identified issues that must be addressed centrally and across our campuses.

"With the development of a clear IT security strategy, we must make certain the resources and staff are available to execute the strategy," said President Richard Myers. "Our search for a permanent chief information officer is high priority for the university."

Effective July 1, Information Technology Services will report directly to President Myers with dotted line responsibility to Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason. This change in reporting structure provides for a universitywide IT vision, while recognizing the priority of our academic mission.

A search committee has been appointed to lead a national search for the university's next permanent chief information officer, or CIO. Chairing this committee will be Lori Goetsch, dean of K-State Libraries. The anticipated start date of the new CIO is Sept. 1, if not before.

"With this change in reporting structure, the chief information officer is truly our senior executive charged with leading change across our technology environment," Mason said. "I thank the search committee members for their willingness to undertake this very important search for our new CIO."

Search committee members:

• Lori Goetsch, search committee chair, dean of K-State Libraries 
• Kathy Burkholder, director of information systems, K-State Global Campus 
• Lynn Carlin, special assistant to the provost and senior vice president, Office of Provost 
• Angela Chauncey, associate director, Information Technology Services 
• Ian Czarnezki, director of operations, Office of Vice President for Research 
• Alma Deutsch, director of resource center and operations, Human Capital Services 
• Carrie Fink, public service administrator II, Office of the Registrar 
• Danny Fronce, associate director of network and telecommunications services, Information Technology Services 
• Robert Gamez, director of student financial assistance, Office of Student Life 
• Jim Lindquist, assistant director of extension field operations, K-State Research and Extension 
• Steve Logback, associate vice president, Division of Communications and Marketing 
• Andrew McKittrick, undergraduate student in computer engineering 
• Michael Raine, director of information technology projects and services, College of Business Administration 
• Caterina Scoglio, professor of electrical and computer engineering 
• Dean Vakas, chief operating officer, K-State Olathe 
• Fran Willbrant, assistant vice president, Division of Financial Services