In my current role as the Director of Information Systems Architecture and Educational Technology, I report to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Dean), Chief Financial Officer, and President of Lexington Theological Seminary. As I've explained, being the Director of Information Systems Architecture and Educational Technology means I direct and oversee LTS’s information systems and educational technology integration initiatives to ensure high-level solutions for students, faculty, and staff. My position acts as a bridge between LTS’s Business Office and Academics.
Business Office
As the Director, I'm responsible for the efficient operation of LTS’s various information systems (from both the information technology (IT) and telecommunications sides) and I apply strategy accordingly. The work consists of managerial functions and processes such as planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating, evaluating, integrating, and implementing systems and programs for all areas of the institution.
Academics
With regard to the Academics department, this role is responsible for all curricular issues relating to technology at LTS and assists the faculty in integrating appropriate and innovative technologies to support and enhance the student learning experience. The work consists of researching, designing, and effectively incorporating new developments in online pedagogy and technology into LTS’s online learning environment.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Evaluate the technical business aspects of office personnel and take into account their unique needs to design or enhance, implement or improve new and current systems used by LTS.
Investigate and leverage best practices to deliver a user-friendly experience for students, faculty, and staff.
Serves as the primary point of contact and liaison with LTS’s technology contracted service partners.
Develop new and maintain existing partnerships with vendors.
Coordinate and design the structure of various information systems with the appropriate resources and teams.
Manage information system and ed tech related projects from inception to completion; and act as a link between managers, designers, and developers.
Responsible for specialized job roles that fall under the technical architect category, including but not limited to:
Lead entire projects
Supervise individual parts of major IT projects and undertake technical duties
Strategize with key performance indicators
Support cloud infrastructure
Manage projects related to hardware and infrastructure equipment
Oversee planning, purchasing, installing, and maintaining onsite/physical technology systems.
Promotes effective teaching and learning through the planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of educational technology.
Secondary Responsibilities
Work with senior administrations to determine organization needs, identify system specifications, and devise plans for future information systems requirements
Communicate best products and systems, and reach a consensus on plans with end-users
Choose suitable software, hardware and suggest integration methods.
Communicate system requirements to designers and developers; explain system structure to them and provide assistance throughout implementation process.
Create reports for President and Officers as needed
Advise department heads on future information technology (IT) developments and advise Academics on both IT and instructional design (ID) developments
Help resolve technical problems as and when they arise
Carry out testing to ensure systems are running smoothly (which satisfy LTS quality standards)
Supervisor Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Dean and Director of Human Resources, supervise and evaluate the LTS Instructional Technology Assistant (ITA), Certificate in Hispanic Ministries (CHM) ITA, Certificate in African American Ministries (CAAM) ITA, and other offsite technology support specialists who assist administration in various roles.
Including, but not limited to:
Create job descriptions, recruit, and hire new employees
Train new employees
Organize workflow and ensure that employees understand their duties and deadlines as assigned
Monitor employee productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching
As the Director of Information Systems Architecture and Educational Technology, I act as the functional manager for the Student Services Assistant in partnership with the Senior Associate Registrar, who acts as the project or product manager.