James Raber
North Canton,OH
Summary
Visionary leader specializing in strategic planning and digital transformation within higher education. Demonstrated success in enhancing data security and ensuring compliance, leading technology initiatives that align with institutional goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Chief Information Officer
Kent State University
Kent, OH
09.2022 - Current
- Directed strategic planning and operational oversight for core IT units, including Information Security and Infrastructure.
- Collaborated with university leadership to align technology initiatives with institutional objectives.
- Advised CIO on service strategies and engagement efforts across divisions.
- Spearheaded strategic planning for technology initiatives impacting university operations.
- Formulated IT policies to enhance data security and ensure compliance standards.
- Managed budget allocation for information technology resources and projects.
- Analyzed operational data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Monitored cyber security threats and implemented measures to mitigate risks.
Part-Time Instructor, School of Digital Sciences
Kent State University
Kent, OH
01.2014 - Current
- Co-instruct capstone and web development courses using HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, MySQL.
- Developed JavaScript-focused curriculum for interdisciplinary technology programs.
Director, Information Services
Kent State University
Kent, OH
09.2016 - 06.2017
- Directed Data Management and Identity Management teams to enhance operational efficiency.
- Implemented identity, access, and enterprise integration tools to streamline processes.
- Championed data governance initiatives to ensure high-quality analytics infrastructure.
Executive Director, Information Technology
Kent State University
Kent, OH
07.2017 - 09.2022
- Spearheaded digital transformation and operational enhancements across educational technology and research computing.
- Facilitated collaboration among Academic Affairs, Library, and Kent State Online for annual faculty conferences on instructional technology.
- Chaired RFP committee for transitioning university's learning management system to a cloud-based platform.
- Provided regular updates to Faculty Senate and academic stakeholders regarding progress and developments.
- Enhanced faculty engagement initiatives to boost satisfaction with academic technologies.
- Directed strategic planning for hybrid and online learning environments to improve accessibility.
Manager, Information Services
Kent State University
Kent, OH
02.2013 - 09.2016
- Managed desktop support and university help desk operations to optimize service delivery.
- Oversaw educational technology support and Tech at Night/Tech Spot student services.
- Standardized customer experience across multiple campuses to maintain consistent service quality.
Lead IT User Support Analyst
Kent State University
Kent, OH
10.2009 - 02.2013
- Administered education technology servers and video conferencing services.
- Delivered full-stack web development for instructional applications.
Senior IT User Support Analyst
Kent State University
Kent, OH
10.2003 - 10.2009
- Supported enterprise video and voice conferencing infrastructure.
- Managed instructional technology platforms and instructor training.
Technical Support Coordinator
Circuit City Corporate
Richmond, VA
08.2002 - 08.2003
- Provided technical support for corporate and retail IT systems.
- Facilitated beta testing and deployment of POS systems.
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Psychology
Kent State University
01.2020
M.Ed. - Instructional Technology
Kent State University
01.2009
B.A. - Computer Science
Kent State University
01.2002
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Information security
- Budget management
- Cloud computing
- Educational technology
- Team collaboration
- Vendor management
- Effective communication
- Change management
- Stakeholder engagement
Selected Presentations And Engagements
- Panelist, Microsoft Higher Education Reimagined, 2021
- Speaker, Global Campus Connection Summit: Learning Experiences Post-COVID, 2021
- Presenter, Creating Scalable Network Foundations, 2021
- Presenter, EDUCAUSE 2023: Cybersecurity Resilience Planning Workshop, 2023
Notable Recognition
President’s Award of Distinction, 2020, Recognized for leadership during COVID-19 pandemic response, https://www.kent.edu/president/distinction/2020-recipients
Timeline
Associate Chief Information Officer
Kent State University
09.2022 - Current
Executive Director, Information Technology
Kent State University
07.2017 - 09.2022
Director, Information Services
Kent State University
09.2016 - 06.2017
Part-Time Instructor, School of Digital Sciences
Kent State University
01.2014 - Current
Manager, Information Services
Kent State University
02.2013 - 09.2016
Lead IT User Support Analyst
Kent State University
10.2009 - 02.2013
Senior IT User Support Analyst
Kent State University
10.2003 - 10.2009
Technical Support Coordinator
Circuit City Corporate
08.2002 - 08.2003
Ph.D. - Educational Psychology
Kent State University
M.Ed. - Instructional Technology
Kent State University
B.A. - Computer Science
Kent State University
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