Villanova University has announced the appointment of Tej Patel, an accomplished Indian-American IT specialist, as its new Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective September 9.
In his new role, Patel will be at the helm of shaping Villanova’s technology strategy, focusing on enhancing support for teaching, research, and operational needs. He will collaborate closely with various university stakeholders to assess technological requirements and opportunities, with the goal of streamlining IT services and ensuring a seamless, user-friendly experience across the board.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the position, Patel shared, “I am thrilled to join Villanova and work with the talented technology team here. I am eager to partner with colleagues across the campus to drive innovation and excellence.”
University President Peter M. Donohue expressed strong confidence in Patel’s capabilities. “Tej’s broad and diverse IT expertise will be crucial as we look to advance our IT infrastructure and governance. I am looking forward to his contributions as part of my leadership team,” President Donohue remarked.
Patel’s role will also involve spearheading efforts to enhance technology use in education and research, managing the transition to a new learning management system, upgrading classroom technologies, and boosting research computing resources. He will play a key role in refining IT planning and governance, supporting Villanova’s dedication to collaborative governance.
Prior to his appointment at Villanova, Patel made significant strides in IT processes and infrastructure at Stevens Institute of Technology. He also held notable IT leadership positions at the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed a Wharton Executive Global C-Suite Diploma. Patel earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Montclair State University.
