Office of the Chief Information Officer
Operational Excellence (OpX) advances community‑sourced ideas into coordinated projects that improve how work gets done at UVM—through better processes, tools, and shared accountability.

From Ideas to Action: The Next Phase of Operational Excellence

With the OpX intake phase complete, UVM is moving from ideas to actions. Phase III focuses on discovery, implementation, and delivery so that we can turn campus-identified challenges into measurable improvements.

This work depends on intentional, cross functional collaboration. By engaging stakeholders early and aligning efforts across units, OpX aims to simplify work, strengthen services, and support University priorities.

Process

OpX project discovery and planning was guided by a cross-functional Program Team and grouped as either in Discovery (defining scope and needs) or Underway (actively being implemented). Together, these efforts align new and existing work to reduce duplication and support campus-wide priorities. 

The OpX Program Team was formed to include additional cross-functional representation for the accelerated discovery and planning process. That work has concluded and members of the program team have joined the LEAP Steering Committee. 

The projects below represent current OpX efforts, grouped by stage of work.

In Discovery

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Digital Student Journey Integration & Portal

Map the student success journey and systems; evaluate opportunities for improvement and define an integrated relationship-management and data strategy.
Leads: Blake Reilly & Kaitlyn Healy
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Centralized Adobe Licensing

Clarify signature requirements, recommend an Adobe licensing approach, and develop a workflow automation pilot to shift paper and PDF forms into scalable digital processes.
Leads: Darcy Pientka and Lana Metayer
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Learning Spaces Design/Strategy

Refresh classroom design standards and create a tiered model for flexible, technology-enabled learning spaces.
Lead: Kerry Castano & Kellie Campbell

Underway

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Learning Management and Training Tracking

Define minimum training-tracking needs for compliance and risk management; assess current tools to support an interim solution and plan a path to a future learning platform.
Lead: Mike Schirling
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Comprehensive Faculty Affairs Platform

Gather cross-unit requirements for implementing a modern digital solution to support faculty workload, RPT, and evaluations, including an engagement plan.
Lead: Jane E. Okech
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Identity Management Modernization

Scope and plan a phased upgrade to identity and access systems, that is secure, scalable, and automated to ensure people and systems have the right access at the right time.
Lead: Mike Austin
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Service Management Modernization

Define a service management strategy to support workflows across units and propose a modern support platform with a phased rollout plan.
Lead: Jennifer Greaves
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Centralized Printing

Centralize print services and enable secure, campus-wide print access to improve cost control and user experience.
Lead: Joe Pawlaczyk
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Wireless Campus Upgrades

Upgrade wireless coverage and capacity across campus buildings with phased deployment based on available funding.
Lead: Mike Austin
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AI & Modern Work

Build skills in modern collaboration and responsible use of intelligent tools through training, communities of practice, and leadership development.
Lead: Mike Austin
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Strategic Planning Platform

Identify and implement a platform to pilot for strategic plan tracking by the Division of Student Affairs.
Lead: Jennifer Powers
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Brightspace Adoption

Develop a roadmap to expand training and support for online learning.
Lead: Bettyjo Bouchey
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Offboarding Improvements

Implement a streamlined employee offboarding process with staged improvements and clear timelines.
Leads: Caroline Cote & Darcy Pientka
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Contract Review & Purchasing

Strengthen contract and purchasing with the implementation of Ironclad and process mapping to identify potential efficiencies.
Lead: Natalie Guillette
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Travel Process

Continue to strengthen travel processes by developing new training and communications to ensure efficient use of travel systems and resources.
Lead: Erin Fitzgerald
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Comms and Marketing Ecosystem Modernization

Consolidate messaging tools, establish governance for enterprise communications, and deliver short-term portal improvements with a roadmap to a unified experience.
Lead: Alex Bertoni
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Student Journey Support System (Ask UVM)

Expand the student support platform, deliver training, and standardize processes across units to create a true one-stop experience.
Leads: Linda Schadler & Jennifer Fath

View Current OpX Initiatives

View OpX Project Dashboard View PDF of OpX Projects

Cross-Cutting Groups

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To ensure OpX work reflects shared institutional priorities, two cross-cutting stakeholder groups provide guidance across all projects:

  • Safety & Compliance, led by Tessa Lucey
  • Data Integration & Reporting, led by Susan Skalka

These leaders and the stakeholders they involve support teams during discovery and implementation to surface risks, improve coordination, and strengthen outcomes.

The OpX Team

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The Program Team served to accelerate discovery and planning and played a critical role in aligning and advancing cross-functional work across the Operational Excellence Portfolio.

  • Susan Skalka, Director, Enterprise Application Services
  • Jacob Leopold, CEMS Operations and HR Director
  • Jennifer Greaves, Executive Director of Business Operations
  • Alex Bertoni, Deputy Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
  • Mike Schirling, Chief Safety & Compliance Officer
  • Larry Granillo, Interim Director, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
  • Mike Austin, Chief Technology Officer 
  • Caroline Cote, Director, HR Technology & Data 
  • Lindsey Donovan, Controller
  • Veronika Carter, University Registrar & Executive Director, Registrar's Office
  • Blake Reilly, Executive Director, Center for Health & Wellbeing
  • Lana Metayer, Director, Sponsored Project Administration
  • Jane Okech, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
  • Bettyjo Bouchey, Chief Officer, Professional and Continuing Education
  • Tessa Lucey, Asst. Chief Safety and Compliance Officer & Chief Privacy Officer
  • Jennifer Dickinson, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Student Success

Get Involved

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Questions or feedback? Contact UPMO@uvm.edu.