The Digital Innovation & Technology (DigIT) team, formerly Information Technology Services (ITS), has released its first annual report.
Bringing together innovation, security, and operational excellence, the report provides readers with a clear view of how technology advances UC’s mission as a whole.
Innovation: Powering UC’s Digital Future
Van Williams, Vice President of Digital Innovation & Technology, Leader
This year marks a pivotal moment in UC’s evolution as we continue aligning technology with the University’s mission across all campuses and health centers. Van Williams reflects on our transition to Digital Innovation & Technology (DigIT) and the progress toward becoming UC’s digital impact engine—strengthening core systems, enabling innovation, and responding to growing complexity.
Highlights include:
- UC’s AI Strategy: Leading Higher Education Into an AI-Enabled Future: UC is advancing a systemwide AI strategy that connects campuses, medical centers, and labs around shared priorities, governance, and responsible innovation to make UC a leader in higher education AI.
- Digital Innovation Partnership Network (DIPN): A bold new initiative connecting UC campuses and health centers with external partners across industry, government, and philanthropy.
Driving Innovation, Transforming Security
Monte Ratzlaff, UC Chief Information Security Officer, Leader
As digital transformation accelerates, UC continues to strengthen its resilience through innovative cybersecurity approaches. This section reflects the evolving risk landscape and UC’s shift from awareness to strategic action—ensuring that security is not just a priority but a foundation for progress.
Highlights include:
- The President’s Information Security Investment Plan Letter: UC built a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity foundation through coordinated systemwide investment, accountability, and collaboration.
- AI Vetting: Across the UC system, a team of cybersecurity and risk experts helps leadership navigate these risks through a thorough risk analysis process.
- Strengthening Research Security Across UC: Strengthening systemwide research security through a working group.
Operational Excellence: Technology in Service of People
Molly Greek, Office of the President Chief Information Officer, Leader
Operational and service excellence remain at the heart of UCOP’s technology strategy. Molly Greek reflects on a year focused on improving customer experience, strengthening stewardship of resources, and building resilient systems—all to ensure technology works reliably, responsibly, and in service of people.
Key achievements include:
- AI Adoption at UCOP: Staff began using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to streamline writing, analysis and daily workflows. DIT not only provided access to the new technology but provided training focused on responsible and effective AI use.
- Modernizing Operations: DIT teams improved supplier management processes and continued work to protect financial systems and optimize operational tools. Service Excellence: Technology teams worked to improve accessibility and reliability across services like UCPath, while keeping customer experience at the center of design decisions.
Looking Ahead
Together, these efforts tell a powerful story—one of innovation, resilience, and operational strength. By uniting diverse voices and priorities, this report captures the full scope of UC’s digital journey and charts a course for the future. As we continue to evolve, our commitment remains clear: harness technology to advance UC’s mission, empower our communities, and create lasting impact across California and beyond.
Read the Report
UC’s Digital Impact Engine: Celebrating a Year of Innovation, Security, and Operational Excellence is available to view in PDF format on the Digital Innovation & Technology landing page.
