These projects and initiatives represent key strategic priorities for the Office of Information Technology and are essential to the successful execution of the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan.
Administrative Applications Modernization
In collaboration with HR, Finance, OAA, and ORED, OIT will continue to support the administrative applications modernization program. This initiative aims to achieve process improvement and standardization through the selection of a fully integrated, modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform that includes built-in functionality and compliance features to meet the University’s core business needs and regulatory requirements. As part of this effort, OIT will consolidate and retire existing third-party applications and internally developed customizations that are no longer necessary in a modern ERP environment.
Artificial Intelligence
Academic AI
OIT actively explores and assesses AI-powered tools that enhance administrative efficiency, with a focus on meeting intelligence, productivity, and secure collaboration. Ongoing evaluations prioritize functionality, security, and compliance to ensure these tools align with institutional standards. To increase awareness and promote adoption, OIT will continue to host events highlighting real-world use cases and the strategic potential of AI in day-to-day operations.
Administrative AI
OIT is actively evaluating AI technologies embedded within Blackboard Ultra, such as the AI Design Assistant, and is monitoring ongoing AI developments that could benefit UA faculty and students. In collaboration with the UA Teaching Academy, OIT hosts on-campus AI workshops to provide insights into how AI can be used in teaching and learning.
Research AI
The future UA High Performance Computing and Data Center facility is being designed to accommodate growing AI compute needs, with power requirements for AI expected to be a primary driver of resource demand.
Cloud Technology Readiness Program
OIT will create a cloud integration strategy to enhance support for cloud application integrations and API management. Additionally, OIT will implement a centralized reporting and analytics platform to deliver critical insights that support data-driven decision making and strategic planning.
Cybersecurity/Compliance
OIT will continue to strengthen UA’s security posture by deploying additional advanced security tools to stay ahead of evolving information security threats. OIT will take proactive measures such as tabletop exercises and penetration testing to uncover potential vulnerabilities. In support of secure AI adoption, OIT will collaborate with UA entities to evaluate and implement secure AI platforms tailored to their needs. The implementation of network access control will help manage endpoint, user, and device access to network resources. Additionally, OIT will roll out a cloud-based contact center platform to enhance PCI compliance and provide greater flexibility and functionality for departments and agents.
Digital Accessibility
In order to meet federal guidelines and ethical responsibilities, OIT is working with strategic partners at UA to launch mandatory compliance training on digital accessibility, update the digital accessibility policy, implement new accessibility review processes and tools, and lead a series of digital accessibility training opportunities.
Enterprise Data Center Transition
In partnership with Campus Development, OIT will build out an enterprise data center within the new UA High Performance Computing and Data Center facility, incorporating resilient and redundant cooling and power infrastructure. OIT will relocate network connectivity and migrate server and storage workload from campus data centers to the new facility.
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
OIT will continue to lead a cross-functional Identity & Access Management (IAM) Steering Committee, providing guidance and serving as the final decision-making authority for UA’s IAM processes and procedures. The team will establish streamlined and centralized IAM processes and build IAM support staff within OIT to develop a comprehensive IAM solution. This initiative will replace legacy scripts and manual processes and consolidate directory services into a single platform. These efforts are part of a broader goal to ensure the University is “cloud ERP ready” from both a process and technology perspective.
Next Gen Learning Management System
OIT is guiding the University’s transition to Blackboard Ultra, a next-generation learning management system that offers a modern interface with improved mobile responsiveness, enhanced accessibility, and simplified navigation. Every UA instructor has been provided with an Ultra practice course to support this transition. For Fall 2025, more than 3500 sections are already using Ultra, including all fully online academic courses offered by OTIDE. By Spring 2026, all UA courses will be delivered through Ultra. To support faculty and departments, OIT offers centralized and department-specific information sessions, workshops, and hands-on course creation opportunities.
UA High Performance Computing and Data Center
In partnership with the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) and Campus Development, OIT will continue to play a leading role in the design and programming of the new UA High Performance Computing and Data Center, taking into account secure research and Quantum capabilities. OIT has captured research computing requirements from the UA research community to ensure the facility is built to meet the rapidly growing demands for advanced research computing capabilities. In collaboration with ORED, the team will select a partner to design and build the compute environment, recruit staff to support both compute and facility operations, and actively identify business development and vendor engagement opportunities.