What gets you going every day (besides coffee/tea/alarm clock), and what keeps you motivated?
Every day, I reflect on the university's vital academic mission and R&DE's dedication to providing service excellence to students and the Stanford community. I align my teams to be a driving force for information technology transformation and success. With over 25 years of experience in higher education technology services, I’ve provided technology leadership for a broad spectrum of student services. Additionally, I contemplate my own journey as a first-generation college student—learning how to navigate the institution, acclimating to a new cultural environment, overcoming the challenges and rigors of college coursework, and adjusting to limited access to resources. I believe that current and future students can and should have a better experience, and I am convinced and motivated that technology can make a significant impact on their academic journey.
What IT initiatives/programs/goals are you most interested in pursuing in the next 2-3 years?
At the forefront, R&DE IT actively fosters and supports innovation across the entire enterprise. In alignment with our commitment to diversity, equity, Inclusion, and belonging, we ensure our initiatives and projects celebrate and embrace the rich diversity of our team and the broader community.
Serving as a strategic enabler, this approach empowers us to be responsive, nimble, and agile in meeting the diverse needs of both R&DE and the broader Stanford community. On a daily basis, our team coordinates updates and upgrades to technology systems, seamlessly integrating new or adjusted business rules and processes. At a macro level, our unwavering focus centers on maintaining systems in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.
Cybersecurity, privacy, and accessibility projects stand as our highest priorities, emphasizing our dedication to ensuring a secure, inclusive, and accessible technological landscape. The technology team collaborates extensively with various business partners to explore emerging technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous markets, virtual and augmented reality, as well as a variety of devices designed to contribute to the realization of a smart campus.
How do your colleagues and team members help you achieve your vision? What challenges do you face?
Achieving technology transformations and successes at Stanford is notably more seamless than at my previous institutions, primarily because we consistently share a strong vision. The R&DE leadership team is deeply committed to service excellence, and we align our strategic goals and performance with this shared vision. Similarly, the R&DE technology team is an exceptional group of individuals—empowered, dedicated, and highly skilled. They not only bring my vision to fruition but also surpass expectations, fostering progress and innovation without the need for constant oversight.
While challenges are present, they are few in number. We diligently work to prioritize projects, managing expectations in the face of tight resources, timelines, and budgets. Our approach is results-oriented, and we prioritize open and honest communication. With these core values as our foundation, we confidently navigate and overcome any challenges that arise.
How do you decompress outside of work?
The R&DE commitment to excellence is unwavering, demonstrated tirelessly, 24/7, 365 days a year. For example, our skilled maintenance and capital projects teams efficiently manage approximately 120,000 work orders each year around the clock; R&DE IT supports their tireless efforts. Despite the demanding nature of our responsibilities, decompressing or disconnecting outside of work is a priority. I am fortunate to lead a strong technology team capable of assuming responsibilities in my absence.
With technologists on-call and available 24/7, 365 days a year, I have confidence in my team's ability to handle any situation. This assurance allows me to fully enjoy my time outside of work with my twin six-year-old boys, my two-year-old, and my supportive husband. Whether playing, hiking, cooking, working on classic cars, or simply being lazy on a Sunday morning, the knowledge that R&DE teams have my back, just as I have theirs, makes these moments even more enjoyable.
What advice would you give early or mid-career IT professionals looking to grow at Stanford?
I wholeheartedly encourage aspiring IT professionals to embark on a journey of self-reflection, envisioning where they want their life and career to flourish. Recognize the boundless power and potential within yourself to shape your own destiny. If your ambition is to ascend to technical expertise in your domain, let the pursuit of knowledge, continuous growth, and adaptability be your guiding principles.
Should your aspirations lean towards leadership, embrace the realization that your role will evolve from daily technical management to steering a team. Understand that people, with their unique experiences and talents, are invaluable assets that can catapult both you and the organization to greater heights. Master the art of leadership by delving into the intricacies of managing individuals. Explore opportunities for personal and professional development through esteemed programs like the Stanford Technical Leadership Program (STLP) or MOR Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP). Immerse yourself in vibrant communities of practice or industry groups like Educause, where collective wisdom and shared experiences foster accelerated growth.
As you navigate your career at Stanford, seize every opportunity to transform your aspirations into achievements and contribute to the thriving innovation and success of our community.
