When I first started at U-M, I asked this community to envision what it would look like for U-M to be a leader in the appropriate use of technology among our peers and beyond. Today, I renew my challenge to you: Envision again what it would take to be the leader in the appropriate use of technology over the next one, three, or even five years.
I am deeply appreciative of the partnerships and dedicated work that led to the launch of the U-M Research Computing Package (UMRCP), provided by ITS, and I look forward to our continued partnerships as we support the U-M community, together.
This summer, be sure to make time to go outside, reflect, and connect with peers across the Michigan IT community.
As we prepare to welcome students back to a more normal school year that is augmented with virtual and hybrid experiences, I challenge everyone in this community to find innovative solutions for creating a cohesive digital experience for those joining in person and remotely.
Each and every member of the Michigan IT community has the ability to be a leader and a teacher of their area. Everyone has valuable experiences and viewpoints to share, and it is an important role of leaders to seek these lessons out and listen.
As we approach the one-year mark of living during a pandemic here in Michigan, I want to acknowledge each one of you not only for your contributions to the university, but also for your amazing strength in doing this through an uncertain and challenging time in our history.
Over the past year, we have learned incredibly valuable lessons about each other, working remotely, and the people who make up this amazing institution.
This past year has called for extraordinary leadership, dedication, can-do attitude, trusting each other, supporting each other, serving our community, and working together. Each one of YOU exhibited these amazing attributes and more.
Our community will come together virtually next week for the Michigan IT Symposium, which is an excellent opportunity to hear and learn from so many of our IT colleagues.
As we settle into this hybrid semester and continue to find new ways of collaborating with each other to serve our hardworking community, two important technology topics have remained at the top of my mind: security and accessibility.
Over the summer, I saw countless examples of how the Michigan IT community banded together with a single purpose across units and campuses to act with urgency. I encourage you to keep that inspiring momentum into the academic year.
The innovative and creative spirit of the Michigan IT community flourished over the summer. As our plans for the hybrid semester come together, we continue to find innovative ways to support a world-class Michigan educational experience.
Our community is experiencing extreme challenges, and our Black sisters and brothers are dealing with centuries of racism and hurt that are playing out before our very eyes. I know all of us feel angry, hurt, scared, and tired of reading and watching these types of horrific events repeat every day. These acts underscore the importance of our efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of life. It challenges me and all of us to do what is right, and not to wait to make changes.
Our world is better because of each one of our amazing students, and my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported them throughout their U-M experience.
Moving so much of the institution online in a matter of days was no small task. There are many examples of how Michigan IT offered assistance and compassion during these unprecedented times.
In the year since I introduced ITS’s five areas of focus, we’ve refined and made progress towards our goals—thanks to partnerships with many of you.
In 2020, we’ll feature a wider variety of leadership messages from across the Michigan IT community. This month, CIO of LSA and Michigan IT Steering Committee Chair Cathy Curley shares her perspective on the value of partnership and what’s next for the Michigan IT program.
Our best is yet to come, and I have no doubt that working together as a community and supporting each other, we will make the U-M the leader in the appropriate use of technology among our peers and in the world.
It is an amazing time to be at the University of Michigan, with an abundance of opportunities to support and participate in important work at a local, national, and global scale.
The month of October presents us with regular opportunities to participate in activities that broaden our perspectives and contribute to the greater good. Leveraging diverse ideas and seeing a teacher in everyone is the secret to success, in my opinion.