Joanne M. Kossuth

As Vice President for Operations and CIO, Ms. Kossuth has primary responsibility for the operational and technology areas of the college. These include: campus services, conference services, dining services, facilities, human resources, information technology, planning and project management, public safety, and purchasing. In addition to her operations duties, she is responsible for fostering non-academic relationships with neighboring institutions, including Babson, Wellesley and Brandeis. As Chief Information Officer at the Olin College of Engineering, Joanne had a unique opportunity to design fully converged leading edge technology facilities from scratch as well as to implement practices from a 'clean slate'. One of the founding principles of the College is continuous change and technological excellence. This design and implementation experience, with a focus on Olin's identity yet in close collaboration with Babson College, provides a fairly large number of 'shareable experiences' related to collaboration and technological innovation.

Her previous experience includes Systems Manager at Fisher College, Director of Information Technology at Wheelock College (a Colleges of the Fenway member) and Director of Computer Support Services at the BU School of Management.Joanne's professional background includes a BA from Holy Cross College and a MS from Lesley University with a concentration in developing and implementing systems for small businesses. Joanne also served as Associate Vice President for Development and CIO for Olin COllege for a 2 year period. She also has CNE and GIAC GSEC certification.

Joanne has been involved in EDUCAUSE and NERCOMP for a number of years. She has served on the EDUCAUSE Member Liaison Committee, Ryland Fellowship Advisory group, Professional Development Committee and the Recognition Committee as well as Chaired the 2020 group and served as a faculty member for the Management Institute. She is Chair of the 2009 Program Committee. Her publications include: 'Attracting Women to Technical Professions', EDUCAUSE Quarterly, Volume 27, Number 3, 2004 and 'Building Relationships Means Better IT Contracts', EDUCAUSE Quarterly, Volume 27, Number 4, 2004 in addition to 'The Converged Workplace', ACUTA Journal of Technology in Higher Education, Winter 2005, Volume 9 and Chapter 32 or “Olin College:Academic and Olin Centers” in the EDUCAUSE E-Book “Learning Spaces”.

In addition, Joanne recently completed a 3-year term as Chair of the Board of NERCOMP (the Educause affiliate) and serves as the Past Chair. Her presentation experience includes NERCOMP, EDUCAUSE, ACUTA, PUG, AACSB, and NEACRO. She also serves as a member of the Town of Needham's Technology Advisory Committee. Core competencies include: technology architecture, security and integration; converged IP network platforms (voice, video, data, wireless); emerging technologies; IT organization/management and staff development and collaboration and partnership development.
Joanne was selected as one of Computerworld’s Premiere100 CIOS for 2005, serves as a Judge for the Computerworld Honors Program and the Connecticut Innovations Program and is a member of Person Education's Strategic Advisory Board.