FACES & PLACES

Judi Wood, chief information officer

Judi Wood, UB’s chief information officer (CIO) since last October, has her work cut out for her—and that’s just the way she likes it. As head of the newly formed Office of Technology Services (OTS), Woods is charged with leading the design and implementation of a technological backbone both stable and flexible enough to meet the evolving demands of the University. But, as Wood emphasizes, the mission doesn’t begin or end with technology, but with assessing the underlying philosophy of how the UB community teaches and learns, then putting IT services in place to reinforce that vision.

OTS is a combination of the former Computer Information Systems Division, the Instructional Technologies unit, and the PeopleSoft project team. The new department uses a front-door/back-room analogy to describe its functional organization and operations. The front door, or the support services unit, encompasses the areas with which the campus community has direct interaction—call center, classroom technologies or desktop support. The back room connects to and supports the front door by providing a technology management component. This includes systems administration, telecommunications hardware and software, application development, as well as network monitoring and stability.

Prior to joining UB, Wood served as CIO for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, where she led a staff of more than 300 and the creation of the agency’s eSafety electronic governance initiative. Prior to her position with state government, Wood was director of networking and telecommunications for The Johns Hopkins University.

Q: What attracted you to UB?

I was attracted to UB because I believe it’s small enough for me to make a difference and actually see a positive impact. Coming from places like Hopkins and the state and federal governments, I’ve sometimes felt like I was working hard, but only making the Titanic turn a degree or two. I think I’ll be able to see substantial change in three to four years.

The dedication of the staff and the administration also came through during the search process. It’s phenomenal the way people go beyond the boundaries to get things done.

Q: How do you see the position of OTS changing within the University structure? How do you see the role of CIO changing?

OTS will be more than a network or computing shop. It will be a full-service technology resource for the University community, a true resource for teaching, learning and administration. The emphasis will definitely be on user experience and customer service.

As CIO, I have to listen more to the entire University from a business perspective. The CIO must also be included in the early stages of business decisions so that technology and business needs can be met at the same time.

Q: Explain how the University of Baltimore is moving into the “wireless” world, and the implications for the campus at large.

Wireless is only a part of the strategy. The vision is anytime, anywhere access for the University. With a student population of many adult women, making things more convenient is a must. Right now, we are defining the needs and determining what steps come first. The prototype will roll out the wireless Internet without access to the University’s systems, similar to a Starbucks model. Security issues will need to be addressed before opening up the network. We hope to have a project plan this fall. And, as we move forward, we have to challenge assumptions so that we make sure we do the right thing for the University.

A big part of implementing a strategy for anytime, anywhere access will be the support services aspect. An IT-enabled student body and workforce will require a shift in thinking about how IT support is delivered. There’s no way to standardize what people buy, so everyone will have to think a bit differently about how to solve problems for the strategy to work.

Q: What makes your job fun?

Definitely the people—students, faculty and staff. Regardless of how much technology is in place, working with the people is how my work gets done. I also like the downtown location.

Q: What do you consider your greatest challenge as CIO at UB?

Making sure the lines of communication are open and creating clear accountability. Managing so much change can also be challenging. I’m still working to become a trusted member of the community, to prove myself. I think that’ll happen with more completed projects and positive outcomes.

Q: What might people in your department find surprising about you?

I grew up on a farm. I am a farmer’s daughter.

Q: What is your favorite book?

Deja Dead , Death du Jour, Grave Secrets — I love Kathy Reichs and other authors who write about the forensic science aspect of a good murder mystery.

Q: What do you do to relax?

I love to grow things and I surround myself with flowers: real, in pictures, paintings, furnishings. It is really boring that so much of my environment is flowery. I have to work at buying a print that does not have flowers in it. I also enjoy playing with my dog, Rupert Rey, watching movies, walking, and reading.