by Bridget Barnes, Sharon E. Blanton, Lois Brooks, Viji Murali, Kelli Trosvig, and Melissa Woo, EDUCAUSE Review
A recent discussion among six female chief information officers (CIOs) in higher education was facilitated by Norma Holland, director of Leadership Program Management and Professional Development for EDUCAUSE. The conversation covered topics ranging from mentorship to the job’s nature to the importance of fearlessness, but one subject offered a provocative undercurrent to the conversation: Are discussions of “women CIOs” still needed, or have we moved into an era where a CIO’s gender no longer matters — in higher education at least? “Twenty years ago or 30 years ago, I felt it certainly was the case that I had to do a lot extra to prove myself and my capabilities,” said Sharon Blanton. “I don’t feel it so much now, and maybe that gets back to an increase in self-confidence. Or not. … Today, I think, generally speaking, it’s a much more even playing field.” Indeed, as the following comments show, what is surely remarkable about these six women is the passion and commitment they all have for the varied and challenging work of a CIO.
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/meeting-challenge-women-cios
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