Documents Contributed by ECAR, Leadership, and CIO

This 2008 ECAR research study builds upon the work done in 2004 by ECAR in its original study of information technology leadership. The 2008 study addresses the following questions:

·         How significant a transition in leadership positions are we likely to see in the next few years?

·         How confident are IT leaders in their skills, and how effective are their leadership styles?

·         How is the position of IT leader viewed by those who might aspire to it?

·         Is higher education doing all it can to foster a strong pipeline of future leaders?

·         Do changes in the generational composition of the IT workforce present new challenges for leaders?

·         How concerned are IT leaders with the prospect of a future shortage of skilled IT workers?

This 2008 ECAR research study builds upon the work done in 2004 by ECAR in its original study of information technology leadership. The 2008 study addresses the following questions:

·         How significant a transition in leadership positions are we likely to see in the next few years?

·         How confident are IT leaders in their skills, and how effective are their leadership styles?

·         How is the position of IT leader viewed by those who might aspire to it?

·         Is higher education doing all it can to foster a strong pipeline of future leaders?

·         Do changes in the generational composition of the IT workforce present new challenges for leaders?

·         How concerned are IT leaders with the prospect of a future shortage of skilled IT workers?

This document presents the key findings of the ECAR study, Leading the IT Workforce in Higher Education, by Philip J. Goldstein. The study builds upon the ECAR work done in 2004 in its original study of information technology leadership. The 2008 study addresses the following questions:

·         How significant a transition in leadership positions are we likely to see in the next few years?

·         How confident are IT leaders in their skills, and how effective are their leadership styles?

·         How is the position of IT leader viewed by those who might aspire to it?

·         Is higher education doing all it can to foster a strong pipeline of future leaders?

·         Do changes in the generational composition of the IT workforce present new challenges for leaders?

·         How concerned are IT leaders with the prospect of a future shortage of skilled IT workers?

This ECAR roadmap synthesizes the important issues and recommended actions drawn from the 2008 ECAR research study, Leading the IT Workforce in Higher Education, by Philip J. Goldstein. The study builds upon the ECAR work done in 2004 in its original study of information technology leadership. The 2008 study addresses the following questions:

·         How significant a transition in leadership positions are we likely to see in the next few years?

·         How confident are IT leaders in their skills, and how effective are their leadership styles?

·         How is the position of IT leader viewed by those who might aspire to it?

·         Is higher education doing all it can to foster a strong pipeline of future leaders?

·         Do changes in the generational composition of the IT workforce present new challenges for leaders?

·         How concerned are IT leaders with the prospect of a future shortage of skilled IT workers?

This ECAR case study complements the 2008 ECAR study by Philip J. Goldstein, Leading the IT Workforce in Higher Education. Views of the Top: Rising IT Leaders Discuss the CIO Position in Higher Education looks at the role of higher education’s CIOs from the perspective of 13 rising IT leaders. As part of its broad research of IT leadership in higher education, the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research organized two focus groups of mid-career IT executives to discuss the role of the CIO in higher education, to gain insights into the factors that drive individuals to aspire to the CIO role, and to evaluate how well higher education prepares its future leaders. This case study reports the results of those important discussions.

Citation for this work: Goldstein, Philip J., and Judith A. Pirani. “Views of the Top: Rising IT Leaders Discuss the CIO Position in Higher Education” (Case Study 5). Boulder, CO: EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, 2008, available from http://www.educause.edu/ecar.

This October 2007 survey is part of a study of leading the information technology (IT) workforce in higher education sponsored by the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research (ECAR). Data from this survey will form the basis of a report designed to help universities and colleges position themselves in this important issue. Questions related to IT leadership and the IT workforce loom large among the concerns of higher education's leaders, in part because demographic data predict that there will not be enough skilled workers in the U.S. to meet demand and in part because many senior IT leaders are approaching retirement. As the workforce becomes more mobile and discerning, higher education faces a significantly more competitive environment for IT staff talent. This study will bring the findings of ECAR's 2004 study of IT leadership up to date and will explore new areas including recruitment and motivation of the IT workforce and generational differences in attitudes and expectations among IT professionals.

This research bulletin is a personal account of the career of James Penrod, who served as chief information officer at four higher education institutions for over 25 years. Well known as an expert on leadership, Penrod discusses critical success factors for CIO leaders, from strategic planning to portfolio and policy development to knowing your personal strengths and limits.

This is the June 2003 ECAR survey instrument used for ECAR Research Study concerning IT Leadership in Higher Education.

Information Technology Leadership in Higher Education: The Condition of the Community is a summary of the results of a quantitative survey of 1,850 IT leaders and professionals at 765 higher education institutions in the United States and Canada. The study examines the general demographics, job mobility, and leadership styles of these IT leaders and professionals, as well as the characteristics of higher education work environments, the innovation climate in central IT organizations, respondents' perceptions of IT effectiveness at their institutions, and the possible shape of the future of this professional community.

Information Technology Leadership in Higher Education: The Condition of the Community reports the results of a quantitative survey of 1,850 IT leaders and professionals at 765 higher education institutions in the United States and Canada. The study examines the general demographics, job mobility, and leadership styles of these IT leaders and professionals, as well as the characteristics of higher education work environments, the innovation climate in central IT organizations, respondents' perceptions of IT effectiveness at their institutions, and the possible shape of the future of this professional community.