ITS Strategic Vision

The IT Vision: Moving Beyond Utility

Carlos De La Rosa, Chief Information Officer  ·  CMC ITS

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

  • ITS has restructured from a break/fix utility model into a strategic consulting partner aligned with CMC's institutional excellence.
  • The Two-Wing Model separates daily Service Operations from forward-looking Solutions work, giving every department a clear path to both.
  • Technology at CMC is a catalyst for academic achievement — not a cost center to be minimized.

The ITS Vision

Our mission is to provide a digital environment that is intuitive, secure, and aligned with CMC's rigorous academic standards. The ITS vision is not simply to keep the lights on — it is to light the way forward.

Technology at CMC should empower every member of our community to achieve more, create more, and connect more. Whether it is a student accessing Canvas from their laptop, a staff member streamlining a complex process with AI-assisted automation, or a department optimizing operations through data integration — we are here to make it happen.

"We have restructured from a break/fix utility into a consultative strategic partner, leveraging technology as a catalyst for institutional success." — Carlos De La Rosa, CIO

Empowerment

Technology should amplify human potential, not constrain it. Every system, every policy, every interaction with ITS should leave the CMC community more capable than before.

Partnership

We are not a service desk that you call when something breaks. We are strategic partners who understand your goals and help you achieve them through technology. Solutions exists to work with you — from initial concept through implementation and beyond.

Excellence

CMC is a world-class institution. Our technology environment should reflect that standard. From the seamless connectivity that greets visitors to the sophisticated research computing available to our community and the AI tools we deploy responsibly, every touchpoint should demonstrate technical excellence and thoughtful design.

Security & Inclusivity

Trust is the foundation of everything we do. We protect data, identity, and institutional integrity with rigorous security practices and transparent policies. And technology must serve everyone — we are committed to accessibility, universal design, and equitable access for all members of our community.

How We Are Different

ITS has undergone a fundamental transformation in how it operates and how it engages with the CMC community:

Then — Utility Model

  • Reactive support — wait for things to break
  • Generic solutions — one size fits all
  • Technology-first thinking
  • Cost center mentality
  • Siloed operations — IT does IT

Now — Strategic Partner Model

  • Proactive support — anticipate needs before they arise
  • Tailored solutions — designed for your specific goals
  • People-first thinking — what do you need to succeed?
  • Value creator — technology investments drive outcomes
  • Collaborative — IT works with departments as partners

The 2-Wing Model

This vision is operationalized through our 2-Wing organizational structure, ensuring clarity of purpose and clear paths for every type of engagement:

Service Operations

Your daily support: Help Desk, hardware management, printing, room AV, and connectivity. Fast, reliable, always there. This wing ensures that the fundamentals of campus technology work flawlessly so the community can focus on their work.

Solutions

Your strategic partner: Enterprise platform consulting, SaaS & Applications management, Administration support, data integration, and Integration capabilities. Collaborative, innovative, forward-looking. This wing partners with departments to design, implement, and optimize technology that drives institutional outcomes.

Strategic Priorities

  1. Computing & Intelligence — Provide consulting, support, and secure language-model tools available to the CMC community
  2. Infrastructure Modernization — Replace legacy systems with modern, cloud-enabled platforms
  3. Data-Driven Decision Making — Provide analytics and insights that inform institutional strategy
  4. Security Excellence — Maintain a security posture that protects against evolving threats
  5. Student Experience — Technology that enhances every aspect of the student journey
  6. Consortium Collaboration — Leverage the Claremont Colleges consortium for shared power and innovation