Timothy M. Chester, UGA vice president for information technology, is the 2016 recipient of the EDUCAUSE Community Leadership Award.
 
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association and community of IT leaders and professionals for higher education. The Community Leadership Award, which is presented annually, recognizes community leaders and active volunteers in professional service to the higher education IT community.
 
“This is a well-deserved honor for Dr. Chester,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead.  “Our academic community benefits in so many ways from his expertise and leadership in information technology, and we congratulate him on this national recognition.”
 
Since his arrival at UGA in 2011, Chester has focused on strategies to elevate the work, influence and impact of the university's central IT department and the Office of Institutional Research.
 
He has revamped both units to ensure that their day-to-day work is aligned with the university’s strategic initiatives, and he has facilitated systematic, stakeholder-focused improvements in the delivery of IT services and data reporting and analytics.
 
“My profession is one that is full of bright and innovative individuals, and it makes me quite humble to receive this recognition from them,” said Chester. “But, more than that, I am grateful to lead a division at UGA that is full of talented professionals. This recognition reflects their hard work and their success in implementing many new initiatives at the University.”
 
Award recipients receive a $3,000 contribution to the fund of their choice. EDUCAUSE will make a contribution to the Terry College of Business’ management and information systems department, where Chester serves on the faculty and teaches Business Process Management.
 
“Dr. Chester and his extraordinary staff keep the University of Georgia on the leading edge of information technology and facilitate world-class instruction, research and service,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten. “Their behind-the-scenes work often goes unnoticed, but it never goes unappreciated.”
 
Chester was honored at the annual EDUCAUSE conference on Oct. 26 in Anaheim, California. In addition to receiving this award, he also chaired the program committee responsible for this year’s event.