As vice president and CIO, Dr. Jennifer Anderson leads Columbus State’s information technology, institutional research, and enterprise project management functions to advance the college’s strategic priorities.
Since joining Columbus State in 2008, Dr. Anderson has served in a variety of roles focused on equitable student success and the college’s overall effectiveness in pursuing its mission.
Among other achievements, she helped build the college’s data infrastructure that has guided Columbus State’s focus on student success, led the college’s conversion from quarters to semesters, and oversaw the implementation of the Workday platform for finance and HR activities. She now is leading the implementation of the Workday Student system.
Before coming to Columbus State, Dr. Anderson worked at The Ohio State University, where she served as Manager for Curricular Analysis in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. There she led report development and user training for the course and student iterations of the OSU data warehouse. Prior to that she served as Assistant Dean for Data Analysis and Technology in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she managed IT systems and led the development of regular reporting on student progress, retention, course demand, and enrollment.
Dr. Anderson earned a B.A. in History from Virginia Tech, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Russian History from The Ohio State University.

Jim has worked for John Carroll University for nearly 39 years in numerous positions of IT leadership. He was appointed the Chief Information Officer in 2018 after serving as the Associate CIO, Director of Computing and System Services, and the Director of Networking and Systems. Burke is a respected leader in higher education and has a demonstrated ability to provide superior client experiences; he is skilled in identifying and enhancing individual team members’ strengths to maximize team effectiveness. Jim has extensive experience in all areas of information technology including enterprise applications, all computing environments from mobile devices to mainframes, telecommunications, local and wide-area networking, and video/CATV production and distribution systems. He is passionate about teaching and learning technologies and delivering effective learning environments and employs a management style that facilitates the successful and effective implementation of all information technologies.
Jim completed his undergraduate studies in computer science at Cleveland State University and received his MBA in Computer Science from John Carroll University.

Brian Cohen is the Vice President of the Center for Digital Government and Center Digital Education, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government and education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian was Vice Chancellor and University CIO for the City University of New York (CUNY).
As the Vice-Chancellor and University CIO at CUNY, Brian directed the Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS), developed, and managed the enterprise IT vision, strategy and day-to-day technology operations of the University. His areas of focus included academic and business systems, cloud strategies, IT policies and procedures, Cybersecurity, project management, IT resiliency and disaster recovery, and network and telecommunications.
Brain also served in leadership roles with the City of New York. Among his many accomplishments, Brian developed the City of New York’s E-Government strategy, implemented the City’s award-winning nyc.gov website, and managed the City’s effort to address the Y2K technology challenge.

Micah Cooper serves as the Associate Vice President for Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO). In his current role, Cooper establishes the objectives, priorities, and plans for technology at the University in cooperation with University Leadership, develops appropriate budgets, staffing, and operating procedures to implement the University’s technology plans, works with the CFO, academic chairs and deans, and the Center for Teaching and Learning to ensure that appropriate technology resources are provided for the accomplishment of the academic mission of the University, and ensures that the University has the adequate and appropriate equipment, network, software, and technology infrastructure to support the needs of all University constituents.
Prior to Cedarville, Cooper held positions at Miami University including Director of Information Technology at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Network Administrator, and Network and Senior Support Specialist. Cooper attended Miami University, graduating with a BS in communications and religion, and a MBA in Management Information Systems.
Mr. Cooper believes that “The role of the CIO isn’t to be the expert. It’s really the one who knows the people and how to bring people together,” He approaches technology as more than a necessity; for him, it’s about the interactions people have with each other because of it.

Dr. Wesam Helou is the Chief Information Officer at Cleveland State University where he serves as a key member of the University's executive leadership team. With a distinguished record in higher education, Dr. Helou spearheads initiatives that drive institutional excellence by enhancing student outcomes, accelerating digital transformation, and ensuring IT operations are tightly aligned with the university's strategic priorities. His leadership fosters innovation in technology, positioning IT as a critical enabler of academic and operational success. Dr. Helou holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering (2011) and an ME in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2012) from Wright State University, and earned his Doctorate in Business Administration, with a focus on IT, from Cleveland State University in 2024.

Miro’s leadership and operational responsibilities include university-wide technology as well as managing the technology and related personnel within the Schools and units, technology communications, customer support services and digital/new media technologies services. In addition, he is introducing new and innovative strategies and solutions to service delivery and provides oversight to business development and client management. Miro joined the Senior Leadership Team in July 2017 and has been involved in implementing [Re]Imagining IT, the CWRU IT Strategic Plan.
Prior to Case Western, Miro worked at Cleveland State University (CSU) where he served most recently as the organization’s Chief Information Officer. At CSU, he also held the title of Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships as well as Enterprise Applications Manager. Miro holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and master’s in management and labor Relations. He was served as chair of the Ohio Inter University Council – CIO Committee, a member of the Hyland Software Higher Education Executive Advisory Board, has presented at several national conferences and published several articles. He also teaches graduate classes at the Monte Ahuja College of Business.

After earning his PhD at Stanford in '82, George Otte spent over 4 decades in higher education, most of that at the City University of New York. In 2001 he was named Director of Instructional Technology for CUNY; the title changed to University Director of Academic Technology in 2008, the same year he became chief academic officer of the CUNY School of Professional Studies, the home of the University's first online degrees. He oversaw the development of so many (by 2022 more than two dozen) that he gave up his position with CUNY Central (as AT director) in 2018. In 2022, he stepped down as the CAO of CUNY SPS.

Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Kent State University 

John Rathje serves as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Kent State University, where he leads the strategic direction of information services and drives innovation to support the university’s mission. With over 15 years of leadership in higher education and extensive experience in industry, Rathje is known for his expertise in delivering customer-focused technology solutions that enhance digital services and protect the university's stakeholders.
Before joining Kent State in 2018, Rathje held senior technology roles at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Central Michigan University, where he contributed to advancing technology in academic medicine and university operations. In addition to his work in higher education, he has founded and led technology firms, bringing industry insights into his leadership roles.
Rathje’s leadership extends to numerous regional and national committees, including EDUCAUSE and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) Technologies Executive Committee. His contributions to the higher education technology landscape have earned him a reputation for thought leadership and innovation.
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Master of Science in Computer Science from Central Michigan University. He is a Leadership Institute Fellow with the Association of American Medical Colleges, reflecting his ongoing commitment to leadership and professional development in the IT and academic sectors.

Pankaj Shah is the executive director of the Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet). For more than 25 years he hascommitted himself to the IT infrastructure and broadband initiatives through work in private, public, research and education community, identifying trends in high-speed data transfer, videoconferencing and hybrid networking.
Under Shah's leadership, OARnet has helped Ohio become a broadband state with an expansive network backbone and research and education services while partnering with private sector to create economic development opportunities.
Prior to working as OARnet's executive director, Shah served as:
Director of infrastructure for IT services, Marquette University
Engagement manager, Resource One Computer System
Senior manager, American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
Division of track manager, New York City Transit Authority (MTA)
Computer science department systems administrator, City University of New York
Shah also served a previous tenure at OARnet, creating and managing the Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center (ITEC-Ohio) and as a partner in the Transportable Satellite Internet System.
Shah represented OARnet on the board of Internet2 and the Ohio Digital Government Summit. Additionally, Shah served on OhioLINK's Advisory Board, The Quilt and Internet2's governance and nominations committee, the steering committee of StateNets and contributed to the Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, 2nd Edition.
Shah received a diploma in mechanical engineering, as well as certification in advanced tool technology, from S.B.M Polytechnic in Bombay (Mumbai), India. He earned his master's degree in computer and information science from Brooklyn College, City University of New York. He most recently received his executive MBA from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Standish Stewart serves as the Vice President of Information Technology Services and the Chief Information Officer at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Throughout her 25-year career, she has worked for large consulting companies, mid-size nonprofit organizations, start-up technology firms, hospitals, and academic institutions.
An avid problem solver, Stewart enjoys transforming processes to improve the student, faculty, and staff experience. She relishes hands-on technical work as much as crafting strategy and engaging with institutional leaders to innovate and embrace new technologies.
Stewart earned her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, an MS in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management from Cleveland State University.