According to the university, Clark brings more than 25 years of IT management experience to the role. He previously worked as vice president for innovation and technology services, CIO and chief digital officer at the University of St. Thomas, the largest private college in Minnesota, where he worked to improve IT capabilities for online learning during COVID-19. Clark also previously served as CIO at Minnesota State University at Mankato, the largest public university in the MSU system, and as CIO for the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts.
Now about a week into his new role, Clark is tasked with managing IT services and networks across the CSU system, the largest four-year public university system in the country with nearly 500,000 students and 56,000 faculty and staff across 23 campuses. He said he looks forward to leading ongoing IT modernization efforts to meet CSU’s strategic goals, which include increasing graduation rates and student equity, as well as other aims such as enrollment management, data-informed decision-making, and providing access to digital degree planners.
“Ever since the pandemic, there’s been a huge sea change for institutions. We had to shift online and become more effective at teaching and learning in this non-physical space,” he said. “Studies have shown that student preferences have shifted, potentially permanently. They want to have more online offerings, and I think that’s going to be a challenge for many institutions across the country and around the world, and of course, systems like CSU’s, as well.
“But how do we meet [students’] demands for flexibility? How do we become more effective at teaching and learning and student outcomes in the online space? That’s going to be a challenge we’re going to have to address,” he said. “That is my goal.”
In terms of student equity-related goals, he said he will work with university leaders “to enhance the outcomes of students and faculty across the system.” Clark said IT and academic leaders must be mindful of the varying challenges faced by underserved students, as well as the logistical challenges of online learning, such as securing growing IT networks, as universities continue adapting to new learning models.
“Students are coming in with more learning challenges, partly due to the pandemic and partly due to other factors. Students need more background material in math and science, so how do we help them be more successful in accessing the information, the material they need and even the mentoring and advice they need to be successful?” he said.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding around the globe that online learning is, ‘I’m going to put my PowerPoint online. I’m just going to read it to you,’” he later added. “That is not effective online learning. Effective online learning requires instructors to engage with the students to recognize when they’re falling behind.”
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Steve Relyea said in a recent announcement of Clark’s appointment that he’s confident the system will make progress toward its strategic academic and student equity goals with the help of Clark’s experience.
“Dr. Clark brings a deep understanding of the ways in which technology can improve teaching, learning and research and lead to greater achievement for students,” he said in a statement. “His leadership will be invaluable to the CSU as we continue to explore new and innovative solutions for our students and employees across California.”
