Category Archives: SLT

June Updates from the Office of the CIO

SLT, Thoughts, Updates, UTET,

I am thrilled to share some significant updates on various IT projects and initiatives happening at the University of Texas. These projects are set to enhance our digital infrastructure, improve service delivery, and foster innovation across the campus.

One of the major highlights is the Networking and Telecommunications Upgrade. Our campus wireless network is undergoing a major lifecycle upgrade, with 91% of the new Wi-Fi 6e wireless access points already installed across 160 buildings. This upgrade is expected to be completed by August 30, 2024.

In addition, we are making strides in Mainframe Modernization. Efforts are underway to improve application interconnectivity and developer tools for the mainframe, including enhancements to the Log4Natural product to enable better logging and alerting via Splunk. The campus rollout is expected in July.

Another exciting development is the Data Center Onboarding. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is being onboarded as a new regional customer in the data center. Electrical upgrades and the installation of 76 new devices have been completed, with the first live migration scheduled for July 9th.

The UT Works Program is also making significant progress. Currently in the End-To-End testing phase for its Phase 1 implementation, the program aims to modernize campus operations and improve service delivery and data management. It is set to go live in November 2024.

We are also fostering collaboration among IT groups through the Service Desk Collaboration initiative. Regular meetings and a dedicated Teams room have led to improved issue resolution and service desk efficiency.

Moreover, the Caption and Transcription Service team has been integrated into Enterprise Technology to streamline digital accessibility support and form a Digital Accessibility Center (DAC).

In collaboration with AWS Innovation Center, we have launched the AI Tutor Initiative. This project aims to personalize learning by providing a customizable AI solution for faculty, with an initial six-week venture underway.

For a more detailed overview of these projects and initiatives, we invite you to download the full report in PDF format. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance our digital infrastructure and services!

CIO Updates 6.29.2024Download

Please Welcome Amanda Fratticcioli, Director of Operations in the Office of the VPT & CIO

SLT

I would like to welcome Amanda Fratticcioli as our new Director of Operations. Amanda will ensure that our organization runs in concert with university strategy and aligned with our priorities, streamline our business practices and project management processes, develop our communication strategy, and serve as a thought partner and leader for me and the senior leadership team. She will report directly to me in this role and will oversee our communications, finance, HR, and project management practices.

Amanda joins us from Northeastern University, where she was the Head of the Office of the CIO, IT Operations, and the Global Network. During her time at Northeastern, Amanda lead enterprise-wide initiatives, orchestrated alignment of CIO strategic priorities and roadmap across the organization and critical business partners, led large scale IT M&A projects, and was instrumental in digitally transforming Northeastern and its global network.

While Amanda has only appreciation for cats, she is a dog lover! Amanda is the proud parent of Stash (4 yr. old mini Aussiedoodle) and Bronte (2 yr. old Bernedoodle), who she assures us are spoiled regularly. While Amanda is looking forward to the Texas heat, these two are not. You will have to share your tips on how to keep these puppies cool in the Austin summer!

Please join me in welcoming Amanda to our team! We are happy that she has chosen to work with us, and I look forward to advancing the overall operations of the Office of the VPT and CIO. I know Amanda will fit in with our team and I hope all of you take a minute to introduce yourself. Amanda will be relocating to Austin and will begin on June 3, 2024 and her office will be in UTA.