About the Episode
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About the Episode:
In this final episode recorded live from Transact 360, Dustin chats with Derek Bierman, CIO at Doane University, for a candid, future-focused, and wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to lead digital transformation on campus. From AI overload to cloud sticker shock to the very real challenge of prioritizing hundreds of tech contracts, Derek offers a rare look behind the scenes of modern campus IT leadership.
This is the episode for anyone who’s ever tried to balance innovation with budget constraints—or wondered how CIOs are juggling AI, cybersecurity, and the relentless pressure to do more with less.
Key Takeaways
- AI in higher education is no longer optional—it’s everywhere. But institutions must grapple with cost, implementation strategy, and governance.
- Cloud migration isn’t always a win—CIOs are facing rising costs, prompting some to bring services back in-house.
- System integration is mission-critical. Institutions need to prioritize tools that “play nice” across the student lifecycle.
- Strategic agility matters. Rigid, long-term plans are giving way to dynamic, whiteboard-based strategies led by adaptable leadership.
- Shared services and CIO consortia are emerging as key ways to reduce cost and complexity across institutions.
- The tech debt is real. CIOs must continuously balance legacy system replacement with new tech adoption, all while aligning with shifting institutional priorities.
What are the top tech trends shaping higher education right now?
Derek Bierman flags artificial intelligence as the trend du jour—AI is impacting everything from recruitment and enrollment to retention and personalization. But it’s not the only thing demanding attention. Cybersecurity remains a high-stakes challenge, and institutions are struggling to manage legacy infrastructure, especially in the face of ballooning cloud costs. Innovation hubs, like Doane University’s newly launched University Innovation and Development Center, are becoming spaces to consolidate and streamline AI experimentation and tech partnerships.
How are CIOs balancing cloud migration with affordability?
The cloud used to be a no-brainer for scalability and efficiency. But as Derek shares, it’s now becoming cost-prohibitive for many institutions. "AI has created a situation where cloud is becoming more and more expensive—almost cost prohibitive," he notes. In response, some CIOs are reversing course and bringing tools back in-house. This “dirty little secret” is a growing trend, particularly as licensing fees and infrastructure demands skyrocket.
Why is tool integration a growing priority for CIOs?
With hundreds of contracts and tools floating through campuses, integration is no longer a luxury—it’s essential. Derek stresses the need for interoperability to create a more seamless student experience and maintain operational efficiency. He warns against relying on third parties for integration, advocating instead for internal expertise: “You can't use mercenaries—you’re going to have to use patriots.” Without tight integration, schools risk building up dangerous levels of technical debt.
How are strategic planning and digital transformation intersecting?
At Doane University, strategic planning has shifted from a static document to a living, breathing conversation—often captured on a whiteboard in the president’s office. Derek describes how dynamic prioritization is necessary in today’s environment. Technology is central to everything, and campus leaders must be willing to pivot. Long-term roadmaps have given way to agile, responsive strategies that reflect the rapid pace of technological change. Flexibility, not rigidity, is the new currency of effective leadership.
What new models are emerging to support institutional tech needs?
Derek shares that Doane is part of a newly incorporated CIO consortium called CAIN (Collaborative Academic Innovation Network). Through shared services, member institutions can pool resources to reduce costs and boost innovation. This type of networked thinking is vital, especially as institutions confront rising costs and shrinking budgets. It's a rising tide approach aimed at lifting all ships—and maintaining a healthy higher ed ecosystem.
How is AI impacting the student experience directly?
From personalized admissions communications to retention-based nudges, AI is embedded across the student lifecycle. Derek reveals that all 300 of his annual tech contracts now involve AI in some form. But personalization at scale comes at a price—literally. While tools like ChatGPT may be free for individuals, enterprise AI costs are adding up fast for institutions. The key challenge? Aligning AI initiatives with meaningful outcomes, without overwhelming budgets or systems.
What’s the biggest challenge CIOs face today?
Priority management. With limited resources and constantly shifting expectations, CIOs like Derek are caught in a game of tech whack-a-mole. Managing shadow projects, aligning with institutional goals, and avoiding costly missteps (like implementing tools that are quickly deprecated) are all part of the daily balancing act. Derek’s message is clear: “You need to be informed—you can’t just take orders anymore.”
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
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Dustin Ramsdell
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI.
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