A message from Lois Brooks, vice provost for information technology and chief information officer:

Today is National IT Professionals Day, and I’d like to use this occasion to express my deep appreciation for the talented individuals who make up UW–‍Madison’s IT community.

Every day, I’m amazed by the dedication, creativity and expertise UW–‍Madison’s IT professionals bring to their work. You keep our systems running smoothly, safeguard our digital assets, and continually enable the university community to achieve their goals using technology. From the Help Desk staff patiently walking through technical issues, to the network engineers ensuring our campus stays connected, to the developers crafting innovative solutions for teaching and research, to those running the hundreds of systems across the university—your efforts touch every corner of our university.

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many of you over the past 6 years, and I continue to be impressed by your willingness to tackle complex challenges head-on. Whether it’s implementing new cybersecurity measures, supporting the shift to hybrid work and learning, or preparing for major initiatives like Workday and Smart Access, you approach each challenge with enthusiasm and skill.

But beyond your technical abilities, what truly sets our IT community apart is your commitment to the Wisconsin Idea. You understand that your work enables groundbreaking research, supports world-class education and extends UW–‍Madison’s impact far beyond the campus borders. Your efforts embody the spirit of continual improvement and innovation that defines our university.

So today (though not only today), let’s all share a heartfelt thank you to all the top-notch IT professionals at UW–‍Madison. Your hard work, often behind the scenes, makes an enormous difference. As we mark IT Professionals Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on the vital role you play in our university community.

— Lois