Barbara Dawson will assume the duties of associate provost for information and technology and chief information officer at WVU July 1.
Barbara Dawson, an IT professional who has led Information Technology Services units in both higher education and the corporate sector, has been named associate provost for information technology and chief information officer at West Virginia University effective July 31.
The university’s previous APIT/CIO, Dr. John Campbell, was named vice provost of WVU in January. He has been serving as interim in the APIT/CIO role while searching for his replacement and describes Dawson as an “absolutely outstanding fit” for the role.
“West Virginia University is growing, taking on ambitious new initiatives and moving faster than ever,” Campbell said. “We need someone heading up ITS who will support and empower the team to advance the university’s mission. Barb was immediately able to engage with everyone on campus and during the interview process she proved she will provide the visionary, collaborative leadership we need.”
As APIT/CIO, Dawson will implement a strategic vision for improving ITS, advise senior leadership on IT issues and provide operational oversight of ITS, including budgeting, resource planning and creation of policy, procedures and standards.
Dawson is no stranger to such responsibilities. Currently a senior advisor for the State of Michigan’s department of technology management and budget , she directs activities surrounding Michigan's next generation digital infrastructure. She previously served as the CIO for health information technology at Michigan State University, leading a team of 75 staff and more than 100 students, then as assistant vice president for information technology strategy for MSU. In that capacity she was responsible for strategic planning and initiatives within an operating budget of $6 million.
“I am excited to lead the extraordinary team of IT professionals at WVU and to return to higher education,” Dawson said. “It’s very clear that this is an institution committing to moving forward and engaging their ITS capacity to do the most good for the most people—students, faculty, staff and constituents. I am looking forward to helping the WVU achieve those goals.”
In her new role as
APIT/CIO, Dawson will report directly to Campbell.
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jm/ac/5/24/17
CONTACT: Ann Claycomb
Assistant Vice President for Strategic and Academic Communication
ann.claycomb@mail.wvu.edu ;
304-293-9919
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.