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SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 6, 2023— Rafael Espinosa III, a veteran higher education technology executive, has been named ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½'s chief information officer (CIO), effective Nov 7. 

Espinosa joins the ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ community from California State University, Stanislaus, where he served as the chief information officer and associate vice president of technology since 2018. He will join President Julie Sullivan’s Cabinet, and report to Wilson Garone, vice president of finance and administration.

With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Espinosa brings a wealth of experience in information technology, research administration, and strategic leadership. 

Among his professional accomplishments, Espinosa:

• developed a campus-wide technology plan that aligned with the university's strategic plan
• developed and implemented an OIT (Office of Information Technology) governance model that included participation and input from faculty, staff, students, and administration
• worked with university administration to customize and implement the university-wide ERP–Workday human resources management system
• upgraded university infrastructure and cybersecurity, migrated University systems to the Cloud, and migrated On-Prem systems to a new data center.
  

Before Stanislaus State, Espinosa spent two decades at the University of Chicago, where he worked as a molecular cytogeneticist, IT professional, research executive director, and administrative executive director.

“Rafael’s extensive experience uniquely positions him to lead ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½'s information technology division and our campus into the future. We welcome him to the Bronco community,” said Julie Sullivan, president of ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½. 

“Technology plays a critical role in teaching, learning and research at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½,” said Wilson Garone, vice president of finance and administration. “Rafael will be a great asset to ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ and will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our digital landscape and ensuring seamless connectivity for our students, faculty and staff.”

At ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½, Espinosa will lead the University’s information technology division and provide strategic and operational leadership in all aspects of information technology planning. 

“I am deeply inspired by ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½’s mission of community engagement through research and education. My background in technology and research uniquely positions me to contribute to ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½'s mission and vision,” said Espinosa. “I am eager to address the most pressing technological challenges within our classrooms and our labs and  I look forward to advancing innovation and digital initiatives across the University.”

Espinosa and his wife Helen are parents to three adult children and look forward to spending time with them in California. 

About ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½
Founded in 1851, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars, as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. .

Media Contacts
Deepa Arora | ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Media Communications | darora@scu.edu | 408-554-5125