UITS Annual Report

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• Executive Snapshot
• Strategic Alignment
• SOAR 2028 & Unit Reorganization
• Major Impacts
• Office of the CIO
• Infrastructure & Operations
• Cybersecurity
• Client Experience & Solutions
• People & Culture
• Looking Ahead

2025 was a transformative year for UITS. We advanced cybersecurity, modernized infrastructure, enhanced customer service, and realigned our organizational structure to better support KSU’s Taking Flight strategic plan and the department’s SOAR 2028 roadmap. This reorganization streamlines operations and positions UITS to more effectively serve the university’s research, teaching, learning, and administrative needs in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

We also prioritized internal engagement and culture. In response to feedback from our division-wide engagement survey, we launched the Workforce Engagement Group (WEG) to foster collaboration and connection across UITS. One of WEG’s signature initiatives is the Soaring Owl Awards, a challenge coin program that recognizes team members who exemplify KSU’s core values — Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Inclusivity, and Accountability. Award recipients are honored with a commemorative coin, a digital badge, and public recognition at our annual IT Winter Blast event.

As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, UITS is driving several strategic initiatives to modernize KSU’s technology environment. We are launching Research IT to support faculty with secure, scalable infrastructure for modern research. Our VMware Migration Program will transition legacy systems to cloud-based platforms, improving efficiency, sustainability, and security. Through Project SailPoint, we are strengthening identity and access management to enhance governance and prepare for future growth.

We are also partnering with the University System of Georgia on the Unified ERP Program, which will replace legacy systems for human capital management, financials, and student information. This initiative will streamline core business processes, unify technology under a SaaS model, and improve the experience for students, faculty, and staff across the institution.

Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to delivering secure, scalable, and student-centered technology solutions while cultivating a culture of excellence and engagement across the division.

UITS is focused on supporting KSU’s Taking Flight Strategic Plan, which offers a series of institutional goals in alignment with the University System of Georgia. The following projects offer a snapshot of how the division is engaging with and strengthening two of the critical priorities outlined in the plan:

Goal 01: Create a learning environment where students thrive

• Six D2L Publisher Integrations including Simple Syllabus
• Podium Services
• SoftChalk Moodle Integration
• YouScience Single Sign On
• Sunapsis Upgrades
• (Current Project) Moving Colleges’ web content to Campus Hub

Goal 05: Advance a sustainable, adaptable,  & operationally efficient institution

• Implemented Event and Academic Scheduling tool (25Live)
• Launched KSU Facilities Portal
• Training video and materials for Office of Fiscal Services including PeopleSoft Journal Training
• Launched Microsoft Authenticator
• Upgraded Student Information System to Banner 9
• Replaced VoIP phone system with Microsoft Teams Calling
• (Current Project) Upgrading Identity and Access Management 
• (Current Project) Migrating VMware servers to a sustainable, scalable environment
• (Current Project) Upgrading the Faculty Information System
• (Current Project) Moving Colleges’ web content to Campus Hub 
• (Current Project) Improving Project Intake and Management Processes
• (Current Project) Unified ERP Implementation 

SOAR 2028 (Strategy, Optimization, Agility, Results) outlines our roadmap for IT transformation from 2025 to 2028, aligning with KSU’s Strategic Plan, Taking Flight. This ambitious initiative, launched in 2024, will position UITS as a high-performing, strategically aligned, and future-ready IT organization capable of delivering exceptional value across the university.

The reorganization streamlines operations and positions UITS to better support research, teaching, learning, and administrative needs in a rapidly changing technology landscape. 

SOAR 2028 focuses on enhancing IT services to ensure they remain innovative, secure, and supportive of KSU’s mission. It is designed to directly address critical gaps in governance, operational efficiency, financial sustainability, organizational structure, and security. 

SOAR 2028 represents UITS’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence. With a clear vision and measurable objectives, we are dedicated to enhancing the technology experience for students, faculty, and staff across KSU.

UITS executive leadership:

• Aaron Streimish, Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, oversees five areas:
• Office of the CIO led by Alan Stevens, Associate Vice President and Deputy CIO
• Infrastructure and Operations led by Jim Herbert, Associate Vice President and Deputy CIO
• Cybersecurity led by Stephen Gay, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer
• Client Experience and Solutions led by Ashley Nealy, Associate Vice President
• Research IT leadership expected to be filled in 2026

Core Objectives of SOAR 2028:

• Exceptional Customer Service: We will deliver exceptional customer service and support by prioritizing responsiveness, quality, and user satisfaction across all IT services.
• Scalable & Secure IT Service Delivery: We will provide available, reliable, scalable, and secure IT services to support the teaching, learning, research, and administrative needs of the KSU community.
• Innovation & Enhancement: We will foster innovation in teaching, learning, and research by integrating emerging technologies and enhancing digital platforms to support faculty and student success.
• Effective Project & Change Management: We will build efficient, trusted, and scalable program and project management practices to ensure successful execution of IT initiatives that align to institutional goals.
• Culture of Continuous Improvement: We will establish a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging process improvement frameworks to drive operational excellence, optimize the UITS technology portfolio, and enhance service delivery processes in alignment with the KSU Taking Flight Strategic Initiatives.
• Talent Retention & Development: We will attract, retain, and develop top IT talent to build a high-performing team that meets the evolving needs of KSU.

These projects and achievements helped advance Taking Flight and reinforced UITS’ commitment to SOAR 2028.

Teams Calling Migration 

The campuswide Teams Calling Migration moved more than 3,500 office desk lines to Microsoft Teams, transforming how faculty and staff connect and collaborate. Beyond the technical rollout, this project stood out for its creative and people‑centered approach to change management.

A highlight of the transition was Mint Day, a thoughtfully curated engagement initiative designed to make the change feel approachable and supported. Faculty and staff received a kit that included a new headset, a mint, and clear, accessible training materials, blending practicality with a personal touch. This simple but impactful gesture helped build excitement, reduce uncertainty, and encourage early adoption across departments.

The team’s focus on customer‑first communication and creative engagement strengthened community involvement throughout the transition. They later shared key findings from this approach in a poster presentation at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference in Nashville, demonstrating how proactive outreach and well‑designed support resources can strengthen campuswide transitions and help the community feel included in the change.

Microsoft Authenticator Adoption (MFA)

The institution‑wide transition to Microsoft Authenticator strengthened the university’s cybersecurity and modernized identity management. More than 60,000 community members now use this updated Multifactor Authentication method, with refinements continuing over time. This transition enables more advanced identity management projects to move forward.

Excellence in Customer Service

UITS units advanced SOAR 2028’s commitment to a thriving learning environment through strong customer service. Classroom Engineering completed AV deployments in 62 classrooms, while support teams maintained responsiveness by fielding 56,158 calls and assisting with 2,916 walk‑up tickets throughout the year.

Banner 9 Deployment

Banner 9 was deployed for registration, faculty and advising, and student records applications, enhancing functionality and improving the user experience as part of the Banner 8 to 9 modernization initiative. This helped lay the foundation to modernize and scale our legacy reporting systems, supporting the broader institutional goal of advancing a sustainable, adaptable, and operationally efficient institution.

AI Fair

The event explored AI’s growing role in higher education and was delivered in partnership with Academic Affairs, Fiscal Services, the Office of Research, and KSU Events. Topics included using AI to support research, understanding large language models, and practical workplace applications.

The Office of the CIO provides strategic, financial, and operational coordination across all UITS functions, ensuring that technology initiatives align with institutional priorities, change is managed thoughtfully, and performance is continuously improved. 

The unit ensures that technology initiatives are aligned with institutional priorities, coordinated across divisions, and supported through clear communication and structured change readiness. By bridging strategy with execution, the Office of the CIO strengthens collaboration, transparency, and service excellence across the university.
Organized into two core groups, the Office of the CIO supports the full lifecycle of technology planning and delivery.

Transformation Services

Transformation Services oversees the planning, communication, and execution frameworks that guide how UITS engages with campus partners and delivers change. This group ensures that the division’s major initiatives align with the university’s Taking Flight Strategic Plan, SOAR 2028, and operational excellence.

IT Business Relationship Management (BRM)

Business Relationship Managers (BRMs) serve as strategic liaisons between UITS and academic and administrative units, ensuring technology needs are clearly understood, aligned to institutional priorities, and translated into actionable plans. The BRM function focuses on co‑creating value by building trusted relationships, establishing shared outcomes, and ensuring worthwhile technology investments that support the university.

IT Process & Project Management

This team manages project intake, prioritization, and delivery using transparent and structured methodologies designed to prioritize institutional goals and operational excellence. By implementing consistent governance, clear communication, and repeatable processes, the team ensures that UITS projects maximize institutional value. 

IT Communications & Organizational Change Management (OCM)

Organizational Change Management (OCM) provides the frameworks, training, and engagement needed to prepare KSU for technology-driven change. These efforts help to ensure adoption, reduce disruption, and improve outcomes and satisfaction.

IT Communications delivers clear messaging and strategic communications to KSU stakeholders to improve clarity and transparency around IT initiatives, service changes, and operational updates. The team ensures that the division’s communications are timely, consistent, and accessible, strengthening campus understanding of UITS services and strategic direction.

IT Services Strategy

IT Services Strategy is responsible for developing, governing, and delivering capabilities that enable IT operational excellence across UITS. This function establishes the frameworks, processes, and standards that ensure services are clearly defined, consistently delivered, and continually improved. IT Services Strategy provides the governance, alignment, and lifecycle management needed to mature UITS’s operational practices, strengthen service reliability, and support outcome‑driven technology delivery for the university.

UITS Business Services

UITS Business Services provides the operational foundation that enables the division to function effectively and sustainably. The group ensures that core administrative, logistical, and planning processes are tightly coordinated to support long‑term service stability and institutional readiness.

IT Vendor Management

Manages key vendor relationships to ensure consistency, accountability, and strategic alignment with UITS standards and campus needs.

IT Warehousing & Asset Management

Oversees the lifecycle and stewardship of university‑owned IT hardware, ensuring accurate tracking, efficient deployment, and timely replacement in support of operational continuity.

IT Administrative Support

Provides administrative coordination across UITS, supporting documentation, logistics, scheduling, and other essential functions.

IT Planning

Supports long‑range technology planning and resource alignment to ensure UITS is positioned to meet future institutional needs with clarity, consistency, and readiness.

The Infrastructure & Operations unit is responsible for building and maintaining the university’s core IT platforms all the way from the network to enterprise systems and applications. This team supports the day-to-day technical operations of KSU, manages cloud and data center environments, and oversees enterprise applications critical to student services, finance, HR, and administration. Whether developing applications in-house or integrating third-party systems, the team ensures operational excellence, performance, and security. 

Banner 9

Banner 9 registration was deployed for faculty, advising, and student records applications, enhancing functionality and improving the user experience as part of the Banner 8 to 9 modernization initiative. Block Scheduling for Registration was also implemented, simplifying course selection for students and reducing workload for campus administrators. Teams also collaborated with 3Cloud and functional stakeholders to integrate Banner, Cayuse, and D2L datasets into the Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse on Azure, laying the foundation to modernize and scale our legacy reporting systems. 

Teams Calling Project

Enabling phonelines in Microsoft Teams helped modernize the university’s infrastructure and advanced the division’s ongoing cloud migration. The project migrated more than 3,500 traditional desk phone lines to Microsoft Teams, significantly reducing reliance on aging systems. From an operational standpoint, the transition strengthened system resilience, scalability, and sustainability while lowering long term infrastructure risk and maintenance overhead. 

Transition to Microsoft Authenticator

The campuswide transition to Microsoft Authenticator was a significant modernization of identity and access infrastructure. The transition reduced dependence on standalone authentication services and legacy integrations, enabling more scalable, resilient, and centrally managed identity operations. The project required delicate coordination across UITS to ensure platform stability and continuity of access to critical systems. 

Tririga (KSU Facilities Portal)

The successful replacement of AIM (Facilities Maintenance Request System) with Tririga (KSU Facilities Portal) delivered a modernized, centralized platform for submitting and tracking facilities maintenance requests across campus. The transition introduced an improved user experience for faculty, staff, and students, streamlined request intake and assignment, and laid the foundation for expanded facilities, space, and asset management capabilities through future phases of the platform. 

25 Live

The KSU Reservations Portal (25Live) successfully launched as KSU’s new academic scheduling and event management system. The tool enabled the campus community to easily check space availability, submit event requests, and quickly schedule simple meetings with a responsive layout that adapts to mobile, tablet, and desktop screens.

Cloud Migration

UITS continues to make substantial progress in its effort to modernize and optimize core infrastructure by moving more programs and infrastructure to the cloud. In 2025, the VMware environment was significantly reduced, with core usage lowered by approximately 70%, improving efficiency and positioning the university for a more flexible and sustainable infrastructure strategy. 

Grade Appeals Workflow Automation 

Prior to the implementation of the Grade Appeals project, the Grade Appeals Policy was completed with a manual process. This led to missed deadlines, lost emails, and no way to track the students’ Grade Appeal requests, and ultimately a frustrating student experience. Now students have acess to an automated workflow where they can enter and view grade appeals, in accordance with the Grade Appeals Policy. 

Standardize Configurations  to Simplify Service Management

The completion of the mETL platform unified data‑feed development and improved system reliability by replacing outdated PLSQL processes.  This strengthens the Common database by ensuring uniform data definitions, and the use of OZ allows configuration updates to be made efficiently without requiring new code.

The Cybersecurity Office leads the protection of university systems, data, and users through strategic security operations, governance, and risk management. The Chief Information Security Officer develops and enforces cybersecurity policy, builds resilience across KSU’s digital landscape, and leads the charge in regulatory compliance, threat detection, and security awareness. The office also plays a critical federated role, coordinating closely with research security teams to support regulated data environments. As digital threats evolve, the Cybersecurity Office ensures KSU remains vigilant, responsive, and aligned with national standards.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training Completion Rates

Throughout 2024, Kennesaw State University’s cybersecurity training completion rates lagged behind peer institutions, plateauing in the seventy-percent range despite repeated communication campaigns. In early 2025, UITS secured Presidential support to partner with Human Resources and Academic Affairs on a more structured accountability model for training compliance.

Under this new approach, each Spring and Fall campaign launches with a joint communication from HR and UITS leadership. Employees receive targeted reminders that escalate in frequency and visibility as the deadline approaches, including manager notifications at the two-week mark. Seven days before the deadline, non-compliant accounts enter restricted status, and users who remain incomplete at the deadline are temporarily locked out until they finish the training.

This coordinated, cross-divisional effort resulted in a dramatic improvement: 95% completion in Spring 2025 and 96% completion in Fall 2025, moving KSU into alignment with leading institutions.
Looking ahead, UITS will build on this progress by exploring non-traditional training formats, expanding self-phishing analytics, automating interventions for users who repeatedly fall for phishing attempts, and developing division-level security scorecards to support continuous improvement across accounts, assets, and training compliance.

Identity as the border

In 2025, University Information Technology Services completed a major modernization of KSU’s identity infrastructure, replacing a 13-year-old legacy system with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft Authenticator. This upgrade positions identity, not the network perimeter, as the university’s primary security boundary. The transition delivers a cloud-first, scalable identity platform with stronger authentication, better lifecycle governance, and richer insights into account activity. 

The rollout of Authenticator introduces modern, phishing-resistant MFA and establishes the groundwork for a future passwordless experience.

With this modernization in place, UITS is now able to execute a more advanced identity-centric security strategy, including:

• Conditional Access and risk-based policies
• Passwordless MFA adoption
• Simplifying identity complexity and reducing legacy dependencies
• Disabling unused accounts to reduce attack surface

This initiative strengthens KSU’s security posture, improves user experience, and lays the foundation for a true Zero Trust model that will support the university’s teaching, research, and operational needs for the next decade.

Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC)

In 2026, UITS will launch Kennesaw State University’s first Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC), a major advancement that strengthens campus cybersecurity while directly supporting KSU’s student-centered mission and workforce development priorities.

The MSOC aligns with the university’s strategic goal of “Creating a Learning Environment Where Students Thrive.” Developed in partnership with Academic Colleges, UITS, community organizations, and private-sector collaborators, the center will be staffed by KSU student apprentices serving as Tier-1 cybersecurity analysts. These apprentices will gain real-world experience in security monitoring, incident triage, and frontline cyber defense — transforming classroom learning into paid, career-ready experience.

In Spring 2026, the MSOC will hire its first cohort of five student analysts, followed by an additional five students in Fall 2026, establishing a robust pipeline of trained talent that grows alongside the center’s operational capabilities.

The apprenticeship model has been successfully implemented across higher education nationwide, demonstrating its effectiveness in preparing students for high-demand cybersecurity roles. Adapting this proven approach at KSU enables UITS to cultivate future employees who understand our environment, technologies, and culture before graduating, strengthening long-term staffing stability and operational resilience.

This initiative directly supports the UITS SOAR 2028 Roadmap, particularly the pillars of Talent Retention and Development. By embedding students within operational teams, UITS not only enhances its internal capabilities but also contributes to Georgia’s cybersecurity workforce ecosystem.

When fully operational, the MSOC will serve as both a critical security function and a high-impact experiential learning hub - advancing KSU’s mission, elevating student success, and preparing graduates for meaningful careers in cybersecurity.

Client Experience & Solutions is the front line of IT at KSU, responsible for the tools, people, and processes that support everyday technology needs. This team ensures faculty, staff, and students receive exceptional, responsive, and user-centered support. From classroom technologies to device provisioning and technical field support, the division is committed to making technology accessible, efficient, and empowering.

IT Service Desk

The IT Service Desk serves as the first point of contact for technology support at KSU, connecting the campus community to responsive, user-centered IT services. For 2025, the team processed 187,170 assigned tickets, which ranged from routine access requests to urgent technical issues, while also responding to 56,158 phone calls, assisting 2,916 walk-up visitors, and facilitating 1,761 technology checkouts in support of classes and events.
Service quality remained a top priority, with a 96% customer satisfaction rating and an 82% first-contact resolution rate. These results reflect the IT Service Desk’s commitment to timely, effective support, contributing to a reliable, scalable, and user-focused technology environment across both campuses.

Technical Learning Experience

The Technical Learning Experience program advances UITS strategic initiatives by delivering exceptional customer service, supporting scalable and secure IT service delivery, and reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement through accessible, user-centered training. Campus users accessed 139,901 knowledge articles, enabling efficient self-service support.

Instructor-led training provided 176 hands-on workshops for 3,004  participants, complemented by 263 one-on-one training sessions. Continued investment in innovation and enhancement resulted in 243 new knowledge articles and 104 instructional videos, strengthening KSU’s training library and supporting talent development and effective technology adoption. Instructors and team members resolved 752 tickets and onboarded 805 new employees.

Collectively, these efforts supported the university’s commitment to creating an environment where all learners can thrive.

Endpoint Engineering

Endpoint Engineering strengthened and modernized the university’s device ecosystem. 

The team migrated 8,992 devices to Windows 11 and updated more than 1,000 LabStats records in the cloud to improve planning and visibility. Lifecycle services supported 900 users with new and replacement devices, and coordinated upgrades in 100 classrooms to enhance instructional reliability.

Virtual computing also advanced with the move from Virtual Owl to Azure Virtual Desktop, creating five active pools that provide students and staff with secure, scalable access to virtual desktops and software.

Classroom Engineering and Installation Services

Classroom Engineering and Installation Services strengthened the physical and digital environments that support instruction, collaboration, and engagement across campus. The team completed 109 AV projects with no service interruptions, thanks in large part to the team’s effective planning efforts and strategic execution.

Classroom modernization continued with 62 new AV deployments, while 28 conference rooms were upgraded to improve meeting effectiveness and hybrid collaboration. The university’s communication infrastructure expanded through the installation of 26 new digital signs, and hands-on learning environments were enhanced with upgrades to 20 studios and labs. 

In addition, 3 event spaces were equipped with modern AV capabilities to support large-scale academic and community events. 

Collectively, these efforts helped create flexible, technology-enhanced spaces for the entire KSU community.

IT Field Services

IT Field Services provided essential on-site technology support across classrooms, labs, and offices. 

The team completed 12,648 deliveries, office moves, and related tasks, resolved 7,861 break/fix incidents to minimize disruptions, and supported 38 major events. 

Lifecycle efforts included deploying 629 replacement computers, installing 488 devices for new employees, and upgrading 521 devices across 100 classrooms and labs.

Key projects also included migrating 3,500 phone lines to Microsoft Teams Calling, modernizing communication services across KSU.

Our team is essential to the success of UITS. Staff members are encouraged to join the Workforce Engagement Group (WEG), a volunteer group that offers real change and improvements in UITS. Engagement efforts include the monthly divisionwide CIO Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions and the annual IT Winter Blast. 

The Workforce Engagement Group (WEG)

In 2024, UITS launched its first-ever engagement survey to better gauge workplace culture and career satisfaction. These findings inspired and informed the creation of the Workforce Engagement Group (WEG), a volunteer group of UITS staff members tasked with creating initiatives to better the workplace at UITS. 

The WEG is currently designing initiatives to make training more accessible to UITS staff members, create more opportunities for professional development, and increase communication between executive leadership and UITS staff members. 

Soaring Owl Awards

One of the group’s signature initiatives is the Soaring Owl Awards, a new challenge coin initiative designed to recognize UITS team members that provide exceptional service to their colleagues and campus community. This initiative launched at the end of 2025.

Those inside and outside of UITS are invited to nominate UITS team members that go above and beyond in their role. The program specifically looks to reward employees who personify KSU’s core values: Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Inclusivity, and Accountability.

Awards are distributed throughout the year, with all recipients receiving recognition at the division’s annual IT Winter Blast. Winners will receive a commemorative coin, a custom certificate, and a digital badge that can be added to their email signature.

IT Winter Blast

This annual event offers time for UITS staff members to reconnect while celebrating the achievements of the last year. This year’s edition included updates from leadership, a photobooth with Scrappy the Owl, light bites, and a lively game of IT Bingo.

CIO Ask Me Anything (AMAs)

The monthly CIO Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions are a way for UITS leaders to connect with the division and answer questions in a virtual, public forum. Each session begins with CIO Aaron Streimish offering high-level updates and fielding questions from UITS staff members before introducing a guest speaker. 

Guest speakers have included teams across UITS, including Technical Support Services and the Office of Cybersecurity. KSU speakers outside of UITS have presented as well.

As UITS moves into 2026, the division will continue to prioritize projects that support broader institutional goals and the objectives of SOAR 2028. Below are examples of priority work the division will focus on throughout 2026. 

Cloud Migration

The cloud migration initiative continues to modernize the university’s IT infrastructure by transitioning workloads from legacy, virtualization based environments to scalable and cost efficient cloud platforms. This effort includes migrating or rearchitecting applications in Microsoft Azure Native and Azure Local, adopting vendor-hosted software as a service solution, and decommissioning systems that are no longer required to improve agility and long term sustainability. To support this transition, UITS will deploy standardized Azure Native and Azure Local Landing Zones and deliver the program as a multi-year initiative aligned to infrastructure buildouts and contract end-of-life timelines. A dedicated Cloud Migration website will launch this spring to provide campus updates and resources.

Project Management Modernization and Sensei

UITS will continue advancing a modern, data-driven project management model that strengthens strategic alignment, governance, and transparency across the university. 

Building on the transition to standardized intake through ServiceNow ITSM and project execution through Microsoft Planner Premium, the implementation of Sensei IQ will further unify project oversight, portfolio visibility, and resource planning. This modernization is supported by a structured change management strategy focused on engagement, clear processes, and sustained adoption to ensure teams operate consistently within a shared framework.

As Sensei IQ capabilities mature, integration with Planner Premium data will enable enhanced reporting, dashboards, and portfolio level insights through Power BI. 

Together, these efforts position UITS to manage growing project demand more effectively, strengthen collaboration between technical and business partners, and deliver a scalable and transparent project management experience aligned with institutional priorities.

Project SailPoint

In the fall, UITS launched a three-phase project to strengthen identity and access management systems and improve security:
Account Split: We have implemented changes for new split accounts, ensuring proper access control with minimal end-user impact. Existing accounts will be addressed in a future update. 

Technology Upgrade: The team is replacing the legacy Tivoli system with SailPoint, a modern identity governance platform. This back-end upgrade is in progress and will enhance security and scalability without disrupting daily operations.

Visitor Access Redesign: Work has begun to redesign the visitor access process and supporting technology to improve sponsor workflows and onboarding. Impact analysis is ongoing to determine changes for current visitors and sponsors.

This initiative strengthens the university’s identity and access management framework by delivering enhanced security and compliance, replacing outdated systems with modern, scalable technology, and streamlining processes to support future growth. These improvements will reduce operational risk, improve governance, and create a foundation for more efficient user access management across campus.

Research

Research IT will serve as a specialized unit supporting faculty members and scholars through advanced computing, secure environments, and technical consultation. In close partnership with the Office of Research and UITS technical teams, Research IT will deliver the infrastructure and services required for modern research, particularly for projects involving sensitive or regulated data. 

Looking ahead, support for AI driven and data intensive research will expand with AI development and research desktops available for checkout later this year, including semester long rentals of the GB10 AI Supercomputing Workstation. A new Research Hub on the UITS website will centralize access to proposal development support, high performance computing resources, cloud platforms, research networks, and data sharing and preservation services to advance discovery and research impact.

Workday Transition

UITS is preparing for the transition from PeopleSoft to Workday for both HR and Financials. This is an initiative affecting all 26 University System of Georgia institutions, and will be a large, multi-year effort that will require tight coordination across teams and the system. A kick-off event is planned for this spring, and significant planning is already underway.

Thank you to all the UITS staff members that made the achievements in this report possible. 

- UITS Executive Leadership

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