Congratulations to Darren Schell, the newly appointed Associate Vice-President IT of the University of Lethbridge. Darren started with the university in 2002 as a programmer/analyst. Progressing from registrar's office through IT security to transformation solutions. Next he took on the role of associate executive director of IT and then became the CTO. Most recently Darren has served as the interim AVP IT.

Darren is not alone in progressing his career in higher education IT. Joined by 73 other graduates of CUCCIO's leadership development program. Only four years into this program and it has produced its first CIO - in this case an associate vice president IT. Outside of Darren's success 25 percent of those within IT report new roles with increased leadership.

The leadership development program (LDP) engages leaders of all levels in their institution. The course teaches invaluable skills of how to lead complex enterprise IT. Its cadre of current CIOs as advisors, mentors, and lecturers provide real-world examples of IT in action. The program is lead by Bob Cook, retired CIO of the University of Toronto.

Intake for the leadership development program closes on May 8. CIOs should identify candidates for the program. Leaders in IT should have a conversation with their CIO to see if they are a fit. The program starts in July and runs through the year. We congratulate the graduates each year at CANHEIT during our awards gala.

More details about the program are available using this link.