Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) has named David Horton vice president for information technology and chief information officer (CIO). The university said that Horton will start the new role on a part-time basis before going full time by June 1.
In those roles Horton will lead the school’s information technology enterprise and will report to Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for finance and business and treasurer. Horton will also serve as a member of the president’s council and oversee Penn State IT, which is the University’s central IT unit. He also will be tasked with providing strategic leadership for the 1,200 IT professionals across all colleges, campuses, and administrative units.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to return to Pennsylvania and work alongside the strong community of IT professionals at Penn State, providing efficient, secure, reliable and innovative technology services to our students, faculty and staff,” said Horton. “In this way, we are helping to enhance the positive impact that Penn State and our alumni create every day across the globe.”
Horton succeeds Chris Lucas, who has been interim vice president for IT and CIO. The school said Lucas will remain as associate vice president for academic technologies and customer experience.
Prior to joining Penn State, Horton served as CIO for the University of Oklahoma for the past five years. In his previous role, Horton was responsible for central IT services for all campuses and oversaw a university-wide team of 400 employees. He also served as associate vice president of IT shared services at the University of Oklahoma and was the chief technology officer at the OU Health Services Center in Oklahoma City.
“David brings a wealth of experience and expertise with him as he takes the helm of Penn State’s IT operations. His track record and dedication will serve him well in this critical leadership role,” said Thorndike. “We’re excited to welcome David to the University and very much look forward to working with him as he provides innovative, strategic IT direction University-wide.”
