Chris Scheetz Named Executive Director of Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer at UMSL
A Career Culmination
Chris Scheetz recently embraced an exciting new chapter in his career as he was appointed the Executive Director of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). As he prepares to step into this vital role on March 1, his emotions run high, blending excitement with gratitude.
After dedicating over 25 years to UMSL, Scheetz’s climb to this leadership position has been nothing short of intentional. For the past decade, he has strategically worked toward this goal while holding various leadership roles within ITS. The moment he received the news from Tanika Busch, UMSL’s Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations and CFO, was both exhilarating and humbling for him.
“I was thoroughly excited,” Scheetz remarked. “I had to take a breath and realize that what I had been working toward for the past 25 years — I was going to get the opportunity to lead the department.”
Extensive Experience in Information Technology
Scheetz brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as the Director and Associate Director of IT for Customer and Support Services prior to his appointment as interim CIO last July. His track record includes directing key initiatives aimed at modernizing essential campus technologies, enhancing service delivery, and facilitating important infrastructure transitions. These efforts are aligned with supporting UMSL’s academic, research, and administrative missions.
Busch praised Scheetz’s steady leadership, stating, “Chris has provided steady leadership and strategic direction for our Information Technology division for more than a decade. I look forward to continuing our work together.”
A Humble Beginning
Interestingly, Scheetz’s journey with UMSL started as a student in 1997. Growing up in Steele, a small town in Missouri, he took advantage of the Lillian L. Dahlen Payne Scholarship, which provided full tuition to select students from his area. UMSL appealed to him as it offered a close-knit community without straying too far from home.
His first position at UMSL was supporting technology classrooms, a job offered by Joe Rottman, a professor in the Information Systems and Technology department. Initially uncertain about his career path, Scheetz even found early on that programming was not for him. After dropping a COBOL course, he transitioned to a major in marketing, ultimately earning his degree from the Ed G. Smith College of Business with a minor in Transportation Studies.
Leadership Philosophy
Scheetz’s approach to leadership is grounded in collaboration and understanding, emphasizing his role as a liaison between technical experts and the university community. “I am never the smartest IT person in the room,” he reflected. “The goal is to surround myself with people who are experts in their field and can help us provide solutions for student or faculty issues.”
This perspective has guided him through various roles, including site supervisor, where he managed the day-to-day operations of academic technology classrooms and labs. His dynamic environment at UMSL has fueled his drive to learn and grow in a field that constantly evolves.
Embracing Challenges
Scheetz’s adventurous spirit has led him to embrace challenges outside his comfort zone, evident when he took over operations for UMSL’s Triton Card system, an area in which he had limited experience. He leveraged his management skills and basic infrastructure knowledge to develop a team and oversee the transition to a more suitable door access control system, paving the way for innovative solutions.
“I’ve always been willing to educate myself,” he stated, a mindset that continues to guide him as he endeavors to meet the evolving needs of the UMSL community.
Looking Ahead to Future Innovations
As he steps into his role, Scheetz is poised to tackle pressing issues in the realm of technology at UMSL. Recent improvements include the migration from Xerox to Kyocera for campus printing services, while plans are underway to modernize the university’s aging telephone system. Scheetz acknowledges that the landscape is rapidly changing, with tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom growing in importance for communication.
Additionally, UMSL is in the process of completing a SharePoint migration to the cloud, raising important questions about the university’s physical data center needs.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
One of the most significant developments in technology involves artificial intelligence (AI), and Scheetz is keenly aware of the implications for the university. “We need to figure out how we can provide AI tools to the campus while ensuring everyone understands what AI is and the associated risks,” he noted. He is dedicated to maintaining the intellectual rights of researchers, ensuring their work isn’t inadvertently compromised before publication.
Chris Scheetz’s customer-centric approach will remain at the heart of his tenure as CIO. He believes that gaining the trust of users is essential for the ITS team to effectively support the entire UMSL community. He acknowledges that IT operates best when it is seamlessly integrated into the university’s daily activities, allowing faculty, staff, and students to focus on research, learning, and student success.
