SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Effective July 23, Karlis Kaugars has begun work as University of Rhode Island’s next chief information officer.
Kaugars, who previously served as the chief information officer at SUNY College of Oneonta in Oneonta, N.Y., brings 25 years of planning, developing and implementing information technology solutions to the academic arena.
Provost Donald H. DeHayes said in a statement of Kaugars he has the “enthusiasm, experience and leadership ability to position URI for future advancements, changes and challenges of institutional technology.”
“Kaugars’ extensive knowledge and experience in higher education in the areas of computer science and information technologies will provide all of us with the leadership needed to truly advance the university’s strategic positioning in information services and technologies,” added DeHayes in his prepared remarks.
As SUNY Oneonta’s chief information officer, Kaugars eventually rose to head the group of chief information officers at the 64 SUNY schools.
Kaugars received his Ph.D. in computer science from New Mexico State University and previously served as a faculty member and director of information technology and facilities for the College of Engineering at Western Michigan University.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
