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Information Technology Executive honorees.

Article Excerpt
Christopher Wessells | University of San Diego EDUCATION

Christopher Wessells joined University of San Diego as its vice provost and chief information officer in March 2006. In a short three years, he has transformed the technology environment and service from one of not being able to rely on the basics to one of being at the forefront of technology and applications. Wessells has provided strong leadership to his team and the university. He is technically astute, able to evaluate and improve the technical decisions of his staff, and a strong strategic thinker and planner. During his tenure, he has greatly expanded the bandwidth and improved the reliability and security of the campus network. He changed the e-mail provider, so that e-mail is a reliable service. His staff is customer and user-oriented. He has established a user advisory committee and is well-known and involved across campus.

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Before coming to USD, Wessells was the interim vice provost for information services, dean of university libraries and assistant chief information officer at University of Rhode Island for five years. Prior to this, he was information technology coordinator for the board of governors for higher education in Rhode Island for ten years.

Wessells successfully completed the implementation of the Oracle human resources and financial systems at USD and has taken a primarily paper-based student admissions, registration and financial aid process and implemented the Banner Student system at the university. This has greatly increased efficiency and customer service for the entire university.

Wessells has been an active leader in introducing academic IT to USD's teaching and learning mission. He has led efforts to train and assist faculty in the use of course management software (e.g., blackboard and web CT), clicker devices, collaborative learning and Web conference applications (e.g., WIMBA), and podcasting.

Celeste Schwartz | San Diego Superior Court GOVERNMENT

Celeste Schwartz, chief information officer of the San Diego Superior Court, has implemented technology which opens and improves customer service and public access to the court, while at the same time creating systems that utilize taxpayers funds in the most cost effective and efficient manner. She has been instrumental in moving the San Diego Superior Court in a technological direction that focuses on providing new, innovative and cost efficient services for the public.

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In 2008, Schwartz guided the court in implementing a new courtwide Voice over Internet Protocol initiative, saving taxpayers more than $1.1 million each year going forward. For the past four years, Schwartz has led a large San Diego public-private sector team in supporting and implementing a multi-million dollar statewide Judicial Branch IT initiative. This project, which will have savings in the coming years, focuses on the early development stages of the Statewide California Case Management System for Criminal, Traffic, Family and Juvenile cases. The CCMS will result in greater access to the court system through e-filing, imaging and the use of other automated services. It will also allow all courts throughout the state to exchange information in a unified manner. This initiative is supported by the governor, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George and the leadership of the Administrative Office of the Courts. In addition, Schwartz is a member of the court's executive team and is in charge of the daily oversight, budget and management of the court's IT operations. She oversees a staff of 65 employees and has worked tirelessly to ensure IT services function efficiently within a shrinking state budget.

Schwartz has worked for the Superior Court's IT division for more than 15 years. During that time, she has been committed to finding and providing new technology to the court so judicial officers and staff alike can benefit in ways that make a difference to the public both in the courtroom and in the court's business offices. She is also dedicated to ensuring...

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