IT Strategic Plan Process

Four standard questions were posed to capture academic and business priorities relating to IT at Penn. Responses were collected from more than 70 individual interviews and 10 group interviews across campus, plus 300 survey respondents.

This data was reviewed by the core team and, employing NVIVO, an AI qualitative data analysis tool, used to synthesize responses, identify strategic areas, and develop potential stories to illustrate themes.

Four strategic areas emerged from the discovery-phase data along with three foundational themes that are critical to all four areas. 

Formulation of the strategic areas included specific language and examples from the interviews as well as eligibility criteria for recommendations. Drafts and the NVIVO reports were shared with the various teams and their feedback incorporated to confirm the strategic areas and foundations.

Thirty academic, administrative, and IT subject matter experts collaborated in “theme teams” to develop strategies and recommendations related to three strategic areas: student experience, instructional & classroom technology, and data & artificial intelligence (AI). The fourth area (research computing) was identified, but recommendations were deferred to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research in recognition of work actively taking place there, with an expectation of campus collaboration in support of this strategic area.

Recommendations with priorities and SMARTIE (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound, Inclusive, and Equitable) goals were shared with the Advisory Council and ISC Senior Staff for review and feedback, informing the final strategies in each strategic area. The goals specified details such as governance, funding, sponsorship and other roles, and accountability measures. These have been socialized with the IT community and other stakeholders.

Mike Borda   Associate Vice Provost for Research  
Karen Detlefsen   Vice Provost, Provost's Center Surrogate
Mark Dingfield    Vice President, Finance and Treasurer 
L. Michael Golden   GSE Executive Director, Catalyst @ Penn GSE
Andrea Liu   Hepburn Professor of Physics 
Mike Matthews   Vice Dean, SEAS
Tom Murphy   Senior Vice President, Information Systems and Computing and University CIO 
Jason A. Presley   Vice Dean and Senior Fellow, GSE
Akwelle (Q) Quaye   Student Representative
Rebecca Stein   Executive Director, Online Learning Initiative
Tanvi Venkatesh   Student Representative

Student Experience

Gary Purpura    Executive Director for Education and Academic Planning
Karu Kozuma Vice Provost,   Office of University Life
Benoit Dubé    Associate Provost & Chief Wellness Officer
Zachary Ives    Department Chair and Adani President’s Distinguished Professor of Computer and Information Science
Lee Dukes    Senior Director of Academic Affairs
Anita Mastroieni    Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Rick Dunn    Director of Course Management and Student Records
Brandon Lodriguss    Chief Information Officer, Nursing
Alanna Shanahan    Director of Athletics and Recreation
Ann Tiao Assistant    Dean for Student Success, GSE
Dan Thomas    Director of College House Information Technology

Instructional and Classroom Technology

Rob Nelson    Executive Director, Provost’s Office
Jessica Morris    Director, Instructional Design and Technology
Gary Purpura    Executive Director for Education and Academic Planning
Jeff Douthett    Director, Classroom Technology Services, ISC
Bonnie Netel    Associate Director of Classroom Design and Planning
David Siedell    Senior Director Learning Technology, Wharton
Dylan Fenton    Director of Instructional Design and Delivery, SEAS
Rosey Nissley    IT Technical Director, ISC
Chris Mustazza    Director of Academic Computing, SAS
Kim York    Senior Director for Information Technology, GSE

Data and AI

Rob Ghrist   Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education SEAS
Dan Alig    Chief Information Officer, Wharton Computing and Information Technology
Amy Miller    IT Technical Director, ISC
Ryan Baker    Professor – Teaching, Learning and Leadership Division, GSE
Rene Vidal    ESE PIK Professor, SEAS, PSOM
Danielle Crowl    Associate Director, Center for Community Standards and Accountability
Chris Callison-Burch    Associate Professor, Computer and Information Science
Marylyn Ritchie    VP for Research Informatics Penn Health System.
Duncan Watts    PIK Professor, SEAS, Annenberg
Bhuvnesh Jain   Co-Director Data Driven Discovery Institute
Greg Ridgeway   Co-Director Data Driven Discovery Institute