Structured for Success

Initiative Governance

The SIS Enhancement Initiative is governed by a combination of existing committees and ad hoc groups. Each group contributes essential expertise and represents various aspects of our community.

SteeringCommitteeAdvisoryCommitteesProgramSponsorsImplementationTeamCATSIS UserGroupFaculty (StudentAdvising) GroupAcademicAdministrativeAssistantsOther Ad-HocGroups as RequiredCCP Subgroup
SteeringCommitteeAdvisoryCommitteesProgramSponsorsImplementationTeamCATSIS UserGroupFaculty (StudentAdvising) GroupAcademicAdministrativeAssistantsOther Ad-HocGroups as RequiredCCP Subgroup
  • Demetrius Eudell, Dean of the Faculty
  • Carlos Garcia, VP for Technology and Human Resources; Chief Information Officer
  • Thomas Porcello, Dean of Studies
  • Angela Anderson, Registrar
  • Carlos Alamo, Dean of the College
  • Alicia Harklerode, Associate CIO for Enterprise Systems

⚠️ The Steering Committee currently has an open seat for a faculty member. Interested? Please let us know!

  • Alicia Harklerode, Associate CIO for Enterprise Systems
  • Kelli Duncan, Associate Dean of the Faculty
  • Angela Anderson, Registrar
  • Laura McGowan, Associate Director, Application Services
  • Colleen Mallet, Director of Veteran Students Outreach and Support, Technical Advisor for the Student Information System
  • Mary Ellen Czesak, Dean of First Year Students
  • David Toomer, Director of Admission
  • Luis Inoa, Associate Dean of the College for Residential Life and Wellness
  • Gary Manning, Director, Application Services
  • Melissa Naitza, Assistant Dean for Academic Administration
  • Jacqueline Perez, Director of Student Financial Services
  • Corinna Sutherland, Bursar
  • Kathleen Giblin, Senior Associate Registrar
  • Thomas Porcello, Dean of Studies
  • Allan Clifton, Associate Professor of Psychological Science and Director of Independent Studies, Committee on Academic Technologies (CAT) Representative
  • Nico Reyes Cardozo, Chair of Residential Affairs Committee
  • Angela Anderson, Registrar
  • Casey Trocino, Associate Dean of Studies
  • Dave Osburn, Assistant Director for Communications and Mobile Strategy
  • Don McNeil, Senior Business Integrations Analyst
  • Gary Manning, Director, Application Services
  • Kathleen Giblin, Senior Associate Registrar
  • Kris Hahn, Senior Business Integrations Analyst
  • Laura McGowan, Associate Director, Application Services
  • Corinna Sutherland, Bursar
  • Angela Anderson, Registrar
  • Thomas Porcello, Dean of Studies
  • Demetrius Eudell, Dean of the Faculty
  • Kathleen Giblin, Senior Associate Registrar
  • Blevin Shelnutt, Assistant Professor of English
  • Nicole Gao, Student Representative

Decision Matrix (RACI)

Decision Category Responsible The person/group performing the work Accountable Ultimately answerable for correct completion (Final Authority) Consulted Subject matter experts (Two-way communication) Informed Those updated on progress (One-way communication)
Strategic / Program-Level Decisions Steering Committee / Project Team Program Sponsors (CIO, DOF, Registrar, Dean of Studies) CCP Sub-Committee, CAT, Advisory Committees / SIS Users Campus Stakeholders
Policy & Academic Impact Decisions Steering Committee, CCP Sub-Committee, Project Team Program Sponsors CAT, Advisory Committees / SIS Users Campus Stakeholders
Functional Configuration Decisions Project Team / Implementation Team Project Team / Implementation Team CCP Sub-Committee, CAT, Advisory Committees / SIS Users Steering Committee, Program Sponsors (unless escalated)
Technical / Integration Decisions Project Team / Implementation Team Project Team / Implementation Team CAT Steering Committee, Advisory Committees, Program Sponsors
Change Management & Communications Decisions Project Team / Change Management Project Team / Change Management Steering Committee, Program Sponsors, Advisory Committees Campus Stakeholders

Governance Pillars

Trust is built on understanding. We prioritize demystifying system logic, eligibility constraints, and status updates by communicating in plain, accessible language. When users understand the why, they are more likely to engage with the how.
Ambiguity undermines credibility. To ensure accountability, we are establishing explicit functional ownership across academic and administrative departments. The Decision Matrix (RACI) below clearly defines “who owns what.”
System friction often reveals a need for evolution. Rather than just fixing software, we’re using MyVassar demonstrations, user previews, and testing to align legacy processes with modern principles. This ensures our policies work with our technology, not against it.
Static training is insufficient. We are shifting to a “Preview → Feedback → Iterate” cycle. By normalizing repeated exposure and making system improvements visible, we ensure the platform evolves based on real user needs.
Advocacy drives adoption. Program leadership—from the Steering Committee to Department Chairs—will be equipped with consistent, transparent messaging. This reinforces the SEI as a top institutional priority.

Join Our Team

The SIS Enhancement Initiative is a community effort. To ensure the best possible outcomes, we require insights and participation from a large representative group of the Vassar community.

Explore participation options