Ten years ago, UC Tech News featured Joe Sabado for his work as Acting Executive Director for Student Information Systems and Technology (SIS&T) at UC Santa Barbara. At the time, his team focused on distributing critical student data and building referral systems for health-related data sharing.
Fast forward to 2025. Today, as UC Santa Barbara’s Deputy Chief Information Officer, Sabado is leading conversations on one of the most transformative forces in higher education: artificial intelligence.
Campus AI Exchange: Passion project and information hub
Sabado launched CampusAIExchange.com as an independent project motivated by personal curiosity, designed to contribute to higher education beyond UC Santa Barbara while emphasizing the critical role of information technology, including AI, in advancing student success and supporting the entire campus community.
The site offers the Campus AI Framework—structured guidance on governance, ethics, and implementation—alongside policies, research, and practical decision-making tools. It also features the EPIC Blog, use cases, and maps of AI governance efforts across campuses, making it a go-to resource for sharing insights and best practices.
“In a rapidly evolving landscape, I embrace learning in public,” Sabado says. “It’s not perfect, but it’s collaborative—and it represents my contribution to the conversation.”
A framework for inclusion and opportunity
“I created a framework to make sense of conversations and uncover meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth,” Sabado explains. “Seeing the bigger picture, and ensuring marginalized voices are included, has always been my priority.”
This perspective is deeply personal. As a first-generation college student at UC Santa Barbara, Sabado often felt he didn’t belong. Today, with nearly 30 years in higher education, he champions a human-centered, human-driven, technology-enabled approach, designing systems around people—not just processes.
EPIC leadership
Sabado’s leadership philosophy, EPIC, stands for:
- To be an Exemplar of values-driven leadership.
- To stay Purpose-driven in aligning strategy with mission.
- To be Inspirational in vision and collaboration.
- To lead with Compassion, placing people at the center of every decision.
Through the EPIC blog, Sabado explores how AI, culture, and institutional design can align with dignity, justice, and purpose. Drawing from his journey as a first-gen immigrant and systems leader, he bridges the personal and institutional, the technical, and the human.
“The EPIC Blog looks at AI from different lenses,” he says. “It’s about leadership, success, and technology coming together.”
One blog example is “The Future Is Already in Our Campus Systems: Why Leadership Can’t Wait,” a post that examines responsible leadership, institutional readiness, and preparing people—not just technology—for what’s already here.
Moving forward together
As AI reshapes higher education, Sabado stresses the importance of placing people at the center of every decision—and that means all people.
“When implemented responsibly, AI has the power to uplift and create opportunities,” he says. “Without that responsibility, however, it risks leading to unintended consequences. And, as leaders, we must include the people who will be impacted.”
Explore more insights and resources at CampusAIExchange.com.
Contact
Joe Sabado
Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO)
UC Santa Barbara
