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----Pepperdine’s administrative search for a new Chief Information Officer has drawn to a close with the appointment of Timothy Chester, who will begin in February.
Chester is the CIO at Texas A&M University at Quatar. Some of his achievements include leading the design and implementation of the Web-based course registration system for more than 45,000 students at A&M and playing an important role in implementing network security.
The selection committee began advertising for the position in May of last year by placing notices in educational journals. Hilary Baker, the former CIO, left to pursue a promotional opportunity at California State University-Northridge. The selection committee received more than 100 responses from candidates interested in the job.
The top tier of candidates was narrowed down to 15 people, with reviews conducted by a search consultant, a former CIO, and an information technology consultant.
“We wanted to get some people not just from Pepperdine but from nationwide sources who had experience in sorting through similar applications,” said Nancy Magnusson, vice president for Planning Information and Technology.
University staff members were selected to form a search committee for the position. Committee members were chosen to reflect a group of individuals with varying degrees of knowledge regarding technology and Pepperdine’s need for technological advances.
Some of the CIO’s obligations include overseeing all of the technology throughout the university, specifically the central systems, the infrastructure, the network and the administrative software, making it essential to have a deep understanding of technological processes.
The search committee narrowed the pool down to three candidates. Chester was the final candidate to interview in person.
Baker, the former CIO, played an integral role in implementing PeopleSoft, the software used for organizing and maintaining the university’s business practices and finances as well as students’ academic advising schedules and accounts.
“We need to be vigilant about what other opportunities there are available for teaching and research,” Magnusson said.
In addition to seeking out future opportunities, the CIO plays a role in the everyday lives of students.
“If all information technology was pictured as a ship, the CIO plays the captain, telling us where to go and how to get there,” said Chris Woo, senior director of Client Services.
Magnusson pointed out that, ideally, students shouldn’t have to be concerned with the new CIO.
“If everything goes well, then students don’t have to care, which is the best possible situation,” she said. “If our technology services are running smoothly, you never think twice about them because they’re just there for you, which, frankly, is my ideal goal.”
Submitted 10-05-2006
MALIBU, CA
