You have /5 articles left.
Sign up for a free account or log in.
Kristophyre (Kris) McCall, Chief Transformation Officer, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), reached out in response to my new series on academic innovation roles. In his email, Kris wrote:
“Joshua, I read your blog about academic innovation gigs on Inside Higher Ed. I am currently recruiting for a position that I believe is right up that alley. Here is a link to my role (Innovation Architect) at University of Maryland Global Campus. Let me know what you think!”
Please check out Kris’s answers to the questions we’ve been using to learn about these exciting academic innovation roles. As you check out the position description and read Kris’s answers, please consider reaching out to me if a role that you are recruiting for is a good fit for this series.
Q1: What is the university mandate behind this role? How does it help align with and advance the university’s strategic priorities?
A: The UMGC mandate for the Innovation Architect role is the identification and analysis of emerging technologies and trends that can significantly impact higher education, as well as working with internal leaders to help build better processes, policies and procedures. This role is pivotal in crafting and working with stakeholders on executing innovative strategies that elevate UMGC’s educational offerings and enhance the experiences of students, staff and faculty.
The Innovation Architect ensures that the institution stays at the forefront of academic excellence and operational efficiency. This role supports the university’s strategic priorities by driving forward-thinking solutions that align with long-term institutional goals and by enabling the university to adapt to the rapidly changing educational landscape.
Q2: Where does the role sit within the university structure? How will the person in this role engage with other units and leaders across campus?
A: The Innovation Architect reports to the Chief Transformation Officer, and the Transformation department is part of the Office of the University President. The IA role engages extensively across the university structure by collaborating with leaders, staff, departments, faculty, tech teams and students. This engagement is vital for understanding the university’s capabilities, needs and aspirations and for producing relevant content/insight that drives strategic actions (not content for content’s sake—it’s about forward progress).
The role involves a feedback loop where the Innovation Architect gathers input from various stakeholders to craft visions that are coherent and achievable. This position ensures that innovative strategies are communicated effectively to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, translating potential innovations into strategic opportunities.
Q3: What would success look like in one year? Three years? Beyond?
A: One Year: Success in one year would involve the Innovation Architect establishing a solid understanding of UMGC’s landscape, identifying key emerging technologies, trends, and opportunities while producing insightful and actionable content. The role would have initiated collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and begun implementing early-stage innovative strategies that show measurable improvements in educational offerings and operational processes.
Three Years: In three years, success would mean the Innovation Architect has influenced UMGC’s strategic direction through the adoption of innovative solutions. There would be visible enhancements in educational programs, student and faculty experiences, and operational efficiencies. The role would also have established a robust network within the tech and academic communities, leveraging these connections to advance the university’s strategic objectives further.
Beyond Three Years: Long-term success would involve the Innovation Architect playing a role in continuously driving UMGC toward a leading position in the higher education landscape, characterized by sustained innovation and excellence. The institution would be recognized for its cutting-edge educational offerings and operational models, with the Innovation Architect having created a lasting impact on the university’s strategic vision and its execution.
Q4: What kinds of future roles would someone who took this position be prepared for?
A: I think that someone who took the Innovation Architect position could be well-prepared for future roles such as:
- Chief Innovation Officer (CIO): Leading overall innovation strategies at a higher level within a higher education institution or in other organizations.
- Vice President of Technology and Innovation: If they are really tech savvy, they could be overseeing technology and innovation initiatives across a university.
- Director of Strategic Planning: Focusing on long-term strategic initiatives and planning.
- Executive Leadership Roles in Education Technology Companies: Utilizing their experience to drive innovation in the education tech sector.
- Consultant or Adviser for Higher Education Institutions: Providing expertise on technology adoption and strategic innovation initiatives.
