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Name: Lorie Edwards
Title: Director of Computer Services
Years at USC: 22
You've been selected to participate in the prestigious Frye Leadership Conference at Emory University this June. What do you hope to learn there? I believe participation in the Frye Institute will help me fill the gaps in my knowledge and refine and improve my management skills in order to function at my peak in my current position as the director of computer services. Technology changes at such a fast pace that coordination and communication of technology is critical for the success of any major organization. Over the next three to five years, I would like to be a change agent for information technology to enhance instruction and research.
What kinds of information technology innovations can faculty and staff expect to see in the future? We have a staff of about 200 talented IT professionals, and there are many exciting projects planned for 2005. The Columbia campus outdoor wireless network will soon be finished and will provide seamless, authenticated access to the network from all green space areas of campus. This project will lay a foundation for many applications and services such as guest access to visiting students, campus-wide surveillance cameras for security, and high-speed connectivity to campus police and emergency personnel. We expect to complete the implementation by this summer, and you can get more information at http://csd.sc.edu/wireless.
We will also be working on the Enterprise Directory project to provide a single sign-on for enterprise applications and access to IT resources across the University. This project includes the implementation of enterprise messaging and collaboration software (e-mail and calendar) to improve communication within the University and with colleagues at other institutions.
We will be working closely with the University libraries to implement a new integrated library system.
In 2005, we will begin the implementation of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system which includes Student Information Systems, finance, research and grants accounting, and human resources.
You can learn more about computer services at http://csd.sc.edu/. We also have a new Web site devoted to "Getting Connected" which is located at http://csd.sc.edu/connected/.
What are some of the biggest challenges in higher education information technology these days?
The biggest challenge is keeping up with the ever-increasing pace of change, particularly during tight budget times. Performance of the network and enterprise applications are always a major focus, but IT security is probably the biggest challenge with the highest stakes.
What do you do for fun?
I am a big fan of Gamecock and Orangeburg Prep athletics and like to garden, shop with my daughter, and travel.
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