Exciting Changes in the Division of Information Technology

There are exciting updates from the Division of Information Technology as we continue our commitment to ensuring the success of UMBC’s diverse community. 

Promotions 

1. Jason Paluck: Promoted to Acting Associate Vice President

We are excited to share that Jason Paluck has accepted the role of Acting Associate Vice President. Over the past five years, Jason has been instrumental in shaping DoIT's technological infrastructure and strategic direction through his comprehensive involvement in the strategic sourcing of major IT contracts and purchasing decisions, his work utilizing emerging technologies of AI and cloud computing, and his ability to apply his work in new and innovative ways. His experience as a CEO and CTO in the private sector has given him valuable insight that benefits both DoIT and UMBC. In his new role, he will continue to leverage these skills and oversee activities in our largest department in DoIT, EIS. As part of this work I’ve asked Jason to continue to follow the lead of Damian and be an active bridge to both the UMBC campus and the broader higher education community. 

2. Roy Prouty: Selected as the New Assistant Director of Research Computing

Roy has stellar experience working with High-Performance Computing (HPC) and research computing. In addition, Roy’s experience working for and with faculty members gives him a great understanding of the language of higher education and research. Roy is enthusiastic about collaborating with a diverse research community to optimize the use of computing resources. He has innovative ideas for expanding teaching and learning opportunities for faculty, graduate students, and support staff, and he demonstrates a visionary and strategic perspective on the future of research IT.

3. Ally Hepp: Promoted to IT Project Manager

This role has expanded to lead the Division of Information Technology’s Project Management Office (PMO). In addition to managing cross-departmental projects, Ally manages institutional projects involving DoIT and other campus divisions, so her role includes a great deal of collaboration and work with other campus units and leadership. The PMO has grown in scope to the point that Ally supervises multiple Graduate Assistants and undergraduate student employees, and the PMO is expanding to include an additional full-time employee role. Ally provides direction and planning for the successful completion of projects within scope, timeline, and budget and works to streamline business processes with new projects in the Project Management Office.

4. Chris Sutherin: Promoted to Manager of Application Architecture and Middleware

Chris has been fostering growth for team members and leading projects across multiple teams and stakeholders. He is responsible for leading a team, setting priorities, and driving critical IAM transformation initiatives. Additionally, this promotion involves a broader scope, including oversight of hybrid cloud strategies, which require managing the integration of on-premise and cloud infrastructures.

5. Jeremy Gude: Promoted to Manager of Application Architecture and Innovation

Jeremy has been elevating his work both in leadership and strategic responsibilities. Jeremy has expanded his work to include direct management of multiple teams, such as the PeopleSoft application infrastructure and data engineering teams, emphasizing day-to-day operations and successful project execution. Jeremy has taken on a more significant leadership role, guiding the design and implementation of cloud-based solutions, managing cross-team efforts, and aligning technical strategies with institutional goals. The scope of responsibility has broadened to include the cloud infrastructure work and the facilitation of data movement between systems, external vendors, and state agencies. 

New AI Resources

Expanding Access to AI Tools and Support

We are committed to providing access to cutting-edge technologies that enhance productivity, teaching, learning, research, and work. We are excited to announce the expanded availability of powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for the UMBC community. Check out AI tools here!

New myUMBC Answers: AI-Powered Search Bar

Get personalized answers to your searches on myUMBC! The myUMBC team has been exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can make the platform better for students, faculty, and staff, all while ensuring security and privacy. 

Department Name Change 

Changing the DoIT Security Department name to “Cybersecurity Assurance and Digital Trust”

We officially changed the department name to Cybersecurity Assurance and Digital Trust. This change highlights the important shift in the team’s scope moving forward.The new name change emphasizes the differences between cybersecurity and the responsibilities of UMBC police. It also emphasizes the team's expanding role in establishing cybersecurity best practices and that the university fulfills its cybersecurity obligations. Furthermore, the "Digital Trust" component includes privacy practices, cybersecurity awareness, and training in the department's responsibilities. This focus on trust acknowledges its critical role in the digital world and the importance of establishing and preserving it through responsible data management and user education. Learn more about Cybersecurity Assurance and Digital Trust here!

Thank you for all you do for our UMBC community!

Sincerely, 

Jack Suess

Vice President of Information Technology & 

Chief Information Officer