About our CIO
Dr. Steven Burrell
Dr. Steven Burrell is the Vice President for IT and chief information officer at Northern Arizona University (NAU). He has held leadership positions in higher education since 1983 and is active in many higher education organizations dedicated to transforming teaching, learning, and research.
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Steven Burrell, EdD, is vice president and chief information officer (CIO) at Northern Arizona University. He has 35 years of higher education technology leadership experience. Dr. Burrell began his career at Colorado State University and held the top IT leadership position at Hutchinson Community College (Kansas), Plymouth State University (New Hampshire), Saint Leo University (Florida), and Georgia Southern University. Burrell is a lifelong learner, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Sterling College (Kansas), a Master of Education degree in Technology Administration from Plymouth State University, an education specialist degree in Leadership from Georgia Southern University, and a Doctor of Education of Higher Education Leadership from Georgia Southern University. Burrell is also a graduate of the Harvard University College of Education Institute for Educational Management. His research interests are in the humanizing aspects of technology and leadership development, and is currently conducting qualitative research of gender bias as barriers to aspiring women IT leaders. Dr. Burrell is also a principle investigator on two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to connect small colleges to research networks. In his career, Burrell has lead a wide variety of successful projects and services, including worldwide education initiatives; national competitive grants to improve integrated planning and advising for student success; state-wide multi-institution shared services; innovations in teaching, discovery, research, and performance capabilities; and state-wide infrastructure development, among many others. Burrell’s passion for technology and higher learning has created opportunities for fostering future generations of college graduates, responsible digital citizens, and community leaders. Students under his mentorship have produced Emmy Award-winning programming and have created cutting-edge technology business enterprises. He is passionate about creating future leaders and fostering the next generation of CIOs and education leaders. Burrell is active in his profession, serving on local, state, government, and national technology, research, in addition to advisory roles for private business and education organizations. Community outreach is another one of Burrell’s passions, having served as the board chair and president of the Rotary International Club, Ogeechee Hospice, and other organizations acting on behalf of animal rights and rescue. He formerly served on the Board for The Center for Higher Education CIO Studies and as the Chairman of the Sun Corridor Network. He is currently serving on the Century Link National Technical Advisory Board, Microsoft Higher Education Advisory Board, Hyland CIO Advisory Board, and Salesforce Higher Education CIO Advisory Board.
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Mutual Respect and Trust
- We foster an environment in which civility, kindness, transparency, and collegiality cultivate an open exchange of ideas and opportunities. Built upon a foundation of respect and dignity, we welcome diversity in all forms to enhance our communication, innovate, and deliver exceptional service to the University.
A Culture of Service and Stewardship
- We recognize that student success is our motivation for providing excellent service to all members of the University community. We partner with stakeholders to provide responsible, innovative, and reliable solutions while exercising good stewardship of University resources.
Innovation for Human Benefit
- We are facilitators for change and look for ways in which technology enhances the human experience, creates access to knowledge, improves work, and enhances the quality of life by: moving new ideas forward; supporting responsible risk-taking; seeking discovery of new ideas and implementing new ways of doing.
Continuous Learning and Improvement
- We embrace learning as a part of our everyday work. We learn quickly by sharing knowledge, engaging diverse thought, and experimentation. We continuously adapt to changing needs as they arise and learn from realized mistakes. We also recognize failure as a way of learning, which leads us to better ways of serving the University community.
Security and Protection of Privacy
- The integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data are everyone’s responsibility. We are exemplars of security best practices and help others to become the same. We know what and where the University’s sensitive data exists, how users interact with it, as we ensure the privacy of that data through our adherence to a defined security program.
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The ITS Leadership team that works with Dr. Steven Burrell in his efforts to serve the NAU community.
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If you would like to contact our CIO, Dr. Steven Burrell, please contact his Executive Assistant, Lea Pochyla, at 928-523-5339 or via email at lea.pochyla@nau.edu.