McCoy Selected as New Chief Information Officer for U of A

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Chris McCoy.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Chris McCoy, the current associate vice president for information technology and CIO at Metropolitan State University, in St. Paul, Minnesota, will be the new associate vice chancellor of Information Technology Services and chief information officer at the University of Arkansas, effective July 20.

“I am truly humbled to have been selected for such an important role at a world-class institution – such great traditions, such wonderfully gracious and hospitable people, and such a promising future,” said McCoy. “Dean English and the search committee were so warm and professional. I felt welcomed from the beginning. I am now eager to get to work building a campuswide vision for technology that will help the institution achieve its aspirational goals in the years to come. Becoming a Razorback is truly a dream assignment.”

McCoy will manage the Information Technology Services department and provide leadership in all facets of university technology. He will report dually to the provost and the vice chancellor for finance and administration.

“Chris stood out in the field for his years of experience and specific understanding of our needs for taking our ITS department to the next level,” said Tim O’Donnell, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration. “I’d like to thank Dean John English and the members of the search committee for their time and great work in identifying the best candidate for the post.”

IT Services manages and supports the technology and network infrastructure for the university, as well as user services, including the Help Desks, Faculty Technology Center, Student Technology Center and General Access Computing Labs. IT Services also manages and supports campuswide technology systems including email, Blackboard Learn and related systems, ISIS, BASIS, collaboration tools, Web hosting and content management, authentication services, online forms and applications, and technology-enhanced classrooms.

“Our computing technology is the backbone of a successful research institution,” said Ashok Saxena, provost designate. “As we continue to grow, our needs to support technology and network infrastructure grow with it. We are delighted to welcome Chris McCoy to this important role.”

McCoy has 27 years of information technology experience.

As chief information officer at Metropolitan State University, he led a successful campuswide initiative to modernize the entire IT infrastructure, including server and desktop platforms, Web environment, the campus network, and the end-user support model. When the initiative began, only 20 percent of classrooms were outfitted with technology; all classrooms at the university are now fully outfitted with technology. McCoy's team received the university's "Metromorphosis Award" for successful completion of this initiative.

McCoy has also served as interim vice chancellor for information technology and system CIO for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, director of engineering computing at Iowa State University, and manager of computing support for the department of computer science at Iowa State University. He began his career as a UNIX systems programmer at Purdue University in the Cooperative Extension Service.

He has a B.S. in computer science and an M.E. in systems engineering from Iowa State University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa.

John English, dean of the College of Engineering, led the 11-member search committee, whose other members were Don Faulkner, chief information security officer, IT Services; Miran Kang, director of instructional design and support services, Global Campus; Justin Maland, assistant athletic director for facilities, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics; Mike Miller, associate dean for academics, College of Education and Health Professions; Polly Parnell, assistant vice chancellor of finance, Division of Finance and Administration; Jean Schook, associate vice chancellor, Office of Financial Affairs; Doug Spearot, associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Raymond Todd, chair of the senate, Associated Student Government; Teresa Waddell, director of technology, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; and Tina Whatley, associate director/budget officer, IT Services.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.