Documents Contributed by ECAR and CIO

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.

As more IT leaders assume a cabinet-level role as chief information officer, colleges and universities with truly effective IT leaders have a strategic advantage. This bulletin analyzes the findings from 229 responses to a national survey of the highest level IT or information management staff at 867 higher education institutions. It describes critical success factors for effective CIO leadership: what CIOs must know, what they must be competent to do and facilitate, and which leadership styles yield positive outcomes.