2008 Woodie Awards
VP of information technology accepts job offer in Georgia following influential time at Miami
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Front Page
Home is calling Reid Christenberry, Miami University's vice president of information technology. After almost five years the Miami, he will be leaving at the end of the semester after accepting a position with the University System of Georgia.
Current Deputy Chief Information Officer Debra Allison will step in as the temporary vice president upon Christenberry's departure.
Christenberry, who has family in Georgia, will take on the role of associate vice chancellor for information technologies in the University System of Georgia.
"(The) heart is telling us to go back to Georgia," Christenberry said.
Hired in 2003 for a newly created position, he has helped Miami embrace technology and enhance the role of information technology.
"In the last decade a lot of colleges and universities have created a vice president level position for information technology," Christenberry said.
He believes that this is due to the growing role of technology.
"Information technology is a key part of everything-whether it be teaching and learning, research, administration-it is a basic skill … everything has it infused throughout," he said.
Miami has seen the importance of having someone managing this important aspect at a managerial level.
"It needs to be managed like an asset … if you don't manage and plan it well you can have all the other things in the university break down," Christenberry said.
However, this position includes more than just improving technology on campus.
"A lot of times in the cabinet meetings I don't talk about informational technology," he said. "You aren't just specialist in your own area-you have to be a generalist at relating to others. You come from a technical side but you have to be able to listen well and talk to people in a language they understand."
During his time at Miami Christenberry improved IT for both students and faculty. On the student side, "The Miami Notebook" was introduced as not only as a computer, but a series of support systems.
Current Deputy Chief Information Officer Debra Allison will step in as the temporary vice president upon Christenberry's departure.
Christenberry, who has family in Georgia, will take on the role of associate vice chancellor for information technologies in the University System of Georgia.
"(The) heart is telling us to go back to Georgia," Christenberry said.
Hired in 2003 for a newly created position, he has helped Miami embrace technology and enhance the role of information technology.
"In the last decade a lot of colleges and universities have created a vice president level position for information technology," Christenberry said.
He believes that this is due to the growing role of technology.
"Information technology is a key part of everything-whether it be teaching and learning, research, administration-it is a basic skill … everything has it infused throughout," he said.
Miami has seen the importance of having someone managing this important aspect at a managerial level.
"It needs to be managed like an asset … if you don't manage and plan it well you can have all the other things in the university break down," Christenberry said.
However, this position includes more than just improving technology on campus.
"A lot of times in the cabinet meetings I don't talk about informational technology," he said. "You aren't just specialist in your own area-you have to be a generalist at relating to others. You come from a technical side but you have to be able to listen well and talk to people in a language they understand."
During his time at Miami Christenberry improved IT for both students and faculty. On the student side, "The Miami Notebook" was introduced as not only as a computer, but a series of support systems.
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