University President Sarah Mangelsdorf is elevating the CIO role to reflect the strategic importance of technology across the institution.
Jim Forrester, associate vice president of information technology at , has been named interim chief information officer and University vice president, effective August 1. The move comes as retiring CIO Julie Myers steps down after two decades of distinguished service.
Myers, who joined the University in 2006 after leadership positions in information technology at Eastman Kodak Company and Xerox Corporation, announced earlier this spring that she plans to retire at the end of August. At URochester, she has led IT teams responsible for Advancement, Information Security, and Enterprise Applications, and also served as deputy CIO. She earned an executive MBA from the University鈥檚 in 2014.
A strategic evolution in technology leadership
With this announcement, University President Sarah Mangelsdorf is elevating the role of chief information officer to report directly to the president, reflecting the growing strategic importance of technology across the entire institution. In addition, the role will now have formal accountability to David Linehan, CEO of 蘑菇传媒 Medical Center and dean of the School of Medicine & Dentistry, ensuring technology leadership aligns more closely across the University and its health system.
This is a natural progression that emphasizes the deeply interconnected partnership across teams鈥攊ncluding the Information Systems Division (ISD) and University IT鈥攖hat has developed over the last five years. Core technology services provided by University IT, such as data center operations, telecommunications, high-performance research computing, and enterprise applications like Workday and UKG, span the entire University.
A similar move occurred in 2016, unifying cybersecurity across the University, which exemplifies the value of unified technology governance. This alignment creates more collaboration, clearer priorities, and more coordinated investment.
New reporting and organizational structure
Under the new structure, the CIO will:
- Report directly to Mangelsdorf as part of her Senior Leadership Group and Cabinet.
- Have accountability to Linehan for strategic business alignment, budget and governance, cybersecurity, and risk management.
- Have leadership responsibility for all information technology, bringing together teams from University IT, the ISD of the health sciences and clinical operations, and other IT teams into one organization for systems that span the entire University, while ensuring dedicated resources to serve and support unique needs across divisions.
鈥淎s the use of information technology has become ubiquitous in our lives and work, a University-wide vision for how we rely on technology is critical in helping us advance toward our goals as an institution,鈥� says Mangelsdorf. 鈥淭he new role will position a leader to create connections across the institution and create strategic alignment that serves the needs of the University community.鈥�
A national search for the permanent CIO will commence at a date to be determined in FY2027, with a national executive search firm to be identified.
Experience, dedication, and innovation
In his IT role at 蘑菇传媒 Medicine, Forrester has played a pivotal part in developing and delivering a comprehensive IT strategy for both the Health Sciences Campus and the healthcare affiliate organizations. He has also worked very closely with Myers in system-wide needs identification and implementation.
鈥淛im Forrester is an exceptional IT leader who brings deep expertise in both technology alignment and innovation, along with deep technical knowledge and strategic leadership,鈥� says Mangelsdorf. 鈥淗is experience and dedication will be invaluable during this transition as we position the University to leverage technology in the future.鈥�
鈥淛im blends the perfect balance of leadership and technical expertise to drive strategic initiatives in a collaborative manner with all stakeholders,鈥� says Linehan. 鈥淗e has demonstrated a successful track record of driving change in a complex academic health system through the development of high-performing teams, accountability, and governance. I look forward to working with Jim to extend his success to the broader University community.鈥�
鈥淚 am honored to serve as interim chief information officer,鈥� says Forrester. 鈥淚 look forward to working in close partnership across our University community to advance the University鈥檚 mission and ensure its continued impact.鈥�
