WashU IT

The finalists for the National ORBIE Award have been announced, and we’re thrilled to share that Jessie Minton, our CIO, has been recognized as a National ORBIE Finalist! This prestigious honor is a testament to Jessie’s visionary leadership and the collective dedication of the WashU IT team. In her own words: "I am deeply grateful for my team. This recognition is a credit to our extraordinary team of talented professionals in WashU IT. Together, we are tackling society's greatest challenges through world-class tech. We are meeting our customers where they are in their tech journey by building the data and computing infrastructure that will shape our digital future. We are supporting modern students and lifelong learners. We are empowering our researchers and our university community. We are equipping talented healthcare providers to deliver superior patient care. And we are doing it together." Congratulations, Jessie, on this well-deserved recognition! #WashUIT #ORBIEAwards #Leadership #Innovation

WashU IT Research Infrastructure Services (RIS) and Becker Library are hosting a series of Computing Basics workshops this week, starting on Wednesday. These workshops are designed for those looking to acquire or sharpen skills with Unix Command Line Interface (CLI), Docker container technology, and High-Performance Computing (HPC). ??February 19 - Introductory Compute –?Getting Started with Open On Demand (OOD) Attendees will learn how to use the OOD web interface to connect to and interact with RIS’s Scientific Compute platform and access various software for running jobs on the system. ?? February 26, 2025 - Introductory Compute –?Getting Started with the Command Line The session will introduce the Unix command line interface, the Unix file system, and basic Unix commands to those without experience with Unix. ?? March 5, 2025 - Introductory Compute –?Getting Started with?High-Performance?Computing This session will introduce high-performance computing and various software applications in HPC environments, including text editors, shell and batch scripts, Docker container technology, and the SSH protocol. ?? March 26, 2025 - Introductory Compute – Getting Started with the RIS Scientific Compute Platform This session will introduce the queue system and basic queue system commands to submit and execute jobs on the Scientific Compute Platform. Attendees will learn to use Docker images and queue system commands to submit and process jobs. Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/g92d8pYA #WashUIT #ITStartsWithYou #Research #WashU

WashU IT is excited to introduce the End User Experience (EUX) initiative, a centralized gateway for seamless, accessible, and transparent IT support. At the heart of EUX are its Navigators, a group of individuals dedicated to elevating the IT experience for internal teams and customers. Each Navigator will partner with stakeholders across the institution, connecting them with the right IT resources to ensure seamless access and for support and services that best fit their needs. Assigned to specific zones, Navigators act as trusted advisors, streamlining support, resolving issues, and providing proactive guidance. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting program. Learn more about the EUX initiative: https://lnkd.in/gXByBR8y #ITStartsWithYou #ImpacT

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming 30 new WashU IT employees at our orientation in Holmes Lounge. With the presence of senior leaders and many of our senior staff members, the event was fun, interactive, and informative, giving our new colleagues insight into the diverse teams that power WashU IT—from Data Management & Analytics and Information Security to Shared Infrastructure, Enterprise Systems & Solutions, Portfolio & Project Management, End User Services, and more. Megan (Esser) Fitzpatrick, MA, Senior HR and Payroll Professional, highlighted the importance of a strong start: "The HR orientation is an important step in making new employees feel engaged, valued, and truly part of the team. A strong start gives them the knowledge they need to confidently navigate their new environment and sets the foundation for a successful journey with WashU IT." Julie Szaj, Director PPMO Organizational Change Management and leader of the EDI Committee for the last two years, took our new team members on a campus tour, guiding them through key buildings and helping them familiarize themselves with their new workspace when working onsite. One of our new employees, Susan Muckerman - CITAM, CAMSE, IT Asset and Configuration Manager, shared her thoughts on the experience: "I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for the orientation today, especially Julie Szaj for being our tour guide extraordinaire. Having a mini-open house with different groups was very helpful. The WUIT orientation enabled me to make new connections for our program and helped facilitate camaraderie with new coworkers." Welcome to all our new WashU IT team members—we’re thrilled to have you on board! #WashUIT #ITStartsWithYou Explore exciting career opportunities with WashU IT on the university website: https://lnkd.in/eKDvh6UU

Congratulations to Sherri Woolard, voted by her peers as the 2024 WashU IT Person of ImpacT! Sherri’s contributions are key to advancing the university’s Here and Next strategic plan. From supporting clinical researchers in tracking tissue samples to helping the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, University Marketing and Communications, University Advancement, and other groups streamline their workflows with project management platforms, her influence is felt across the university. Her commitment to excellence in customer service, mentorship, and continuous improvement is highly admired. Colleagues highlight Sherri's unwavering work ethic, her dedication to lifting others up, and her focus on empowering teams—qualities that continue to inspire those around her. To learn more about Sherri’s incredible journey and her impact at WashU, visit https://lnkd.in/gDvQq-sU Thank you, Sherri, for being an invaluable member of our team! ?? #WashUIT #PersonOfImpacT #Leadership #Teamwork #Innovation

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) held a dynamic, hands-on retreat at the #WashU medical campus yesterday. The session brought together #WashUIT senior leadership and senior staff members to build a roadmap for key, previously approved initiatives, all in alignment with our IT strategic plan, ImpacT, and informed by the university’s Here and Next strategy. The retreat was an invaluable planning experience, focused on creating a blueprint for how WashU IT will continue to deliver impactful services and enhance the user experience while staying closely aligned with the university’s goals. The roadmap outlines how we will execute our strategy in the next year. The session demonstrated that collaboration and teamwork are WashU IT strengths and even included a fun thumb war at the end to reinforce this important message.

Congratulations to Sherri Woolard, voted by her peers as the 2024 WashU IT Person of ImpacT! Sherri’s contributions are key to advancing the university’s Here and Next strategic plan. From supporting clinical researchers in tracking tissue samples to helping the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, University Marketing and Communications, University Advancement, and other groups streamline their workflows with project management platforms, her influence is felt across the university. Her commitment to excellence in customer service, mentorship, and continuous improvement is highly admired. Colleagues highlight Sherri's unwavering work ethic, her dedication to lifting others up, and her focus on empowering teams—qualities that continue to inspire those around her. To learn more about Sherri’s incredible journey and her impact at WashU, visit https://lnkd.in/gDvQq-sU Thank you, Sherri, for being an invaluable member of our team! ?? #WashUIT #PersonOfImpacT #Leadership #Teamwork #Innovation

A special invitation for the #WashU #research community ?? As AI-generated data becomes more prevalent in academic research, ensuring its accuracy and credibility is essential. The upcoming "Research Like a Pro: Verifying AI-Generated Content" event will provide practical strategies for cross-referencing AI content with reputable sources, emphasize the importance of human oversight, and offer techniques to develop strong evaluation skills. Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Time: 1:00pm - 1:30pm CT Location: Olin Library, Instruction Room 1 (Danforth Campus) Register today: https://lnkd.in/gR9QJ47F

Data storytelling has the power to inspire action and spark innovation. Got a great idea? Join the inaugural #WashU Data Viz Competition and submit your entry by February 6—we can’t wait to see your creativity in action!? https://lnkd.in/g5PXTFMx

Join us this Friday for the #WashU Maker Resource Fair, a dynamic annual event showcasing the incredible maker and technology resources available to the WashU community. https://lnkd.in/ggYVadvd This fair will feature interactive demonstrations, highlighting cutting-edge tools and facilities ranging from various 3D technologies and advanced software to creative workshops and collaborative spaces. There will be food, games, prizes and lots of WashU and Maker Resource Fair swag! Whether you're a seasoned innovator or just curious about what's possible, this is your chance to learn, connect, and turn your ideas into reality. This free event is open to all and co-sponsored by University Libraries, WashU Tech Den, and WashU Spartan Light Metal Products Makerspace. When: January 24, 2025 | 2–5 PM Where: John M. Olin Library, Newman Exploration Center https://lnkd.in/ggYVadvd