Howdy,

From CIO Ed Pierson

Texas A&M University stands among the nation's largest premier universities, both in campus size and student population. As the technological backbone of this vibrant community with over $1.25 billion in research expenditures, we are dedicated to delivering innovative, efficient and cutting-edge solutions.

In 2024, we dedicated ourselves to building a solid foundation for an enterprise-class IT operation that meets high standards of scalability, reliability, security and customer service — values that are fundamental to our mission. We are focused on delivering technology solutions that Texas A&M University requires to achieve its strategic goals. Our vision, as outlined in our strategic plan, is not just a guiding principle but a commitment to elevate our performance and enhance the customer experience across campus. 

This year, we made significant progress in elevating our service, delivering solutions that are highly available, redundant, secure and user-friendly. The unification of platforms like VoIP, device management, and room scheduling further streamlined university operations, resulting in significant cost savings and enhancing the overall user experience. In addition, Technology Services' implementation of the TeamDynamix (TDX) service management tool has streamlined support processes, providing campus members with a unified platform for technical assistance and eliminating the need to navigate multiple systems.

At the core of our work is empowering the success of our partners, colleagues and campus members. A key example is Texas A&M's new private cellular network, which supports innovative applications in academic research, unmanned vehicle control, hazardous environment studies and large-scale event management, positioning Texas A&M as a leader in higher education technology. Our collaborations, such as with Student Affairs, have helped enhance the student experience, from Corps of Cadets orientation to supporting student organizations. We have supported the Veterinary Emergency Team's (VET) efforts to deliver animal care throughout Texas and assisted with emergency response during the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. Additionally, we contributed to the Virtual Production Institute's advancements in extended reality. As technology becomes increasingly integrated with the university's core operations, we are excited about future opportunities to partner with departments across campus to make a meaningful impact.

Innovation is central to our strategic vision, particularly in how we are building for the future. A major theme this year was the exploration of AI applications in higher education, administration and operations. From enhancing personalized learning to automating tasks, AI is revolutionizing how we work, discover and learn. We are actively integrating AI-driven solutions like Microsoft Copilot for M365 and HoloLens to increase productivity and rethink workflows, while also beginning to develop a custom AI platform to provide an AI foundation for the Texas A&M community.

The expansion of the multi-million dollar Next-Generation Aggie Network has modernized the campus with over 18,000 wireless access points, providing faster, more reliable internet access, including upgrades to athletic facilities like Kyle Field and satellite locations like the Bush School of Government & Public Service in Washington, D.C. This, along with substantial improvements to our security infrastructure, has strengthened both performance and protection, positioning Texas A&M with a resilient network and a secure, innovative IT environment.

This year has been a pivotal step in building the foundation for an enterprise-class IT operation at Texas A&M University, with a focus on driving innovation, improving operational efficiency and ensuring the security and resilience of our systems. By prioritizing customer service, understanding our campus community's expectations and delivering highly available, secure and redundant IT resources, Technology Services has enhanced the customer and student experience while supporting future growth. As we continue to innovate, our commitment to collaboration across departments and to the development of our staff will drive ongoing success. We remain dedicated to leveraging emerging technologies, strengthening our infrastructure and continuously learning to ensure that Texas A&M stays at the forefront of higher education technology.

Ed Pierson
Vice President for Information Technology
and Chief Information Officer
Texas A&M University