CHRIS WILLIAMS
Chief Information Officer for Western Carolina University
Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself
I serve as the CIO of Western Carolina University, located in Cullowhee, NC.
What path have you taken to your current position?
Prior to my CIO role at WCU, I served in various IT leadership roles at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 25 years. My most recent role was the IT Director for the Division of Student Affairs.
My academic journey is a key aspect of my success. I began with a bachelor's degree in mathematics at UNC Chapel Hill. In 2023, I completed my MBA with a concentration in Information Systems from UNC Wilmington and the CIO program through UNC Chapel Hill's School of Government. My most recent degrees provided me with the confidence and language to communicate with executive leadership.
Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?
I've always had a macro-level perspective on IT and how it can be leveraged as a strategic success partner with the various business needs of various campus departments. My goal has been to learn the priorities and business of each unit to appropriately identify IT solutions to further their mission.
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey? (If you feel comfortable, please share their name and how they helped you)
I've had many mentors throughout my journey. One reason I enjoy serving in the Higher Education industry is the focus on academic and professional growth by the staff and leaders.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
Technology evolves from a complex novel concept to a part of everyday life. As a result, a CIO's role must evolve as well or become irrelevant. As an example, the use of data has continued to skyrocket and a primary challenge is to provide the guardrails necessary to protect that data.
When I first began my career, networking was a primary focus. It quickly evolved into the legal aspects around students and copyright law.
What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?
Successful leaders need to be willing to evolve their focus beyond just those areas of IT where they enjoy spending time. It's also critical to surround yourself with team members with specific expertise in traditional areas and emerging spaces. My goal has always been to have a baseline understanding on emerging topics prior to my customers asking for those services.
The ability to translate business needs into technology solutions requires excellent communication and transparent governance. Being able to talk to non-technical customers and meet them where they are is crucial to success and the ability to add strategic value.
Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?
Having a seat at the senior leadership table is a new step in my career. I'm looking forward to learning how best to add value at that level with my peer leaders. The opportunity to lead an entire university forward will keep me engaged and busy for many years. When a role becomes too easy is when I know it's time to look for the next adventure.
What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who are just starting their careers?
Balance your professional growth with technical skills as well as leadership skills. While you don't need to be an expert in IT, you need to be knowledgeable enough to know the questions to ask to help set priorities. Your ability to communicate, manage projects, and support employee success (HR).
"Balance your professional growth with technical skills as well as leadership skills"
What role do you see emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, blockchain) playing in your industry, and how are you preparing for them?
AI has been a top priority; however, the reality is that it's simply "data", albeit on a rapid scale. The primary focus related to AI is finding ways to discover various use cases, while also protecting our data, especially with AI systems that learn from data. The role AI will play is finding ways to streamline tasks and improve the quality of output so that we can use our time for new priorities.
What has been your most significant achievement or proudest moment as a technology leader?
I'm always proud when I can delegate major responsibilities to team members, provide them with the support and resources to be successful and then see them take the initiative and stretch to accomplish a new goal.
I have former employees who still reach out to tell me how they are leading initiatives that previously I would have led. Any time I'm contacted by a former employee who is excited about their progress or advancement is exciting.
How do you ensure that you and your team stay updated with the latest technology trends and industry best practices?
Professional development is critical to success in our industry. It should be part of the culture and supported by supervisors because staff growth will always have a high ROI.
A big thank you to Chris Williams from Western Carolina University for sharing his journey to date.
If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews here.
