Strategic Initiatives
Building on the progress of the past year, we continue to advance strategic initiatives that enhance our technological capabilities, improve the user experience, and align IT investments with the university’s priorities. In this second year of focus, these efforts deepen our commitment to innovation, strengthen support for academic and administrative functions, and further position the university as a leader in effective technology integration across higher education.
Visit our ITS Projects page to see the latest list of current projects and upcoming initiatives.
Updating Technology Governance
Effective technology governance is crucial for accountability, transparency, and compliance. ITS has established efforts with the university to develop a modern governance framework that meets the university’s strategic, tactical, and operational technological needs. This framework will establish clear policies and procedures for managing technology resources and investments, ensuring effective decision-making and evaluation of new initiatives.
Last Year’s Efforts
- Advisory Groups: Five Advisory Groups have been established which align with the major areas of focus in the University’s technology environment in support of effective governance structure which also fosters transparency in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of technology resources and services. Learn more.
Upcoming Efforts
- AI Committees: ITS initiated the establishment of dedicated governance committees to guide the responsible and strategic use of artificial intelligence technologies across academic, research, and administrative functions. Composed of faculty, academic leadership, information technology, legal, privacy, and risk management representatives, these committees will provide oversight on policy development, evaluate proposed AI initiatives, and promote alignment with the University’s mission and values. This governance framework will support innovation in teaching, learning, and research while ensuring appropriate safeguards for data privacy, ethical use, regulatory compliance, and institutional accountability.
Enhancing the Loyola Technology Experience
We already have a strong portfolio of technology resources and services, and we seek to make these resources more accessible. By improving interoperability and creating user-friendly interfaces and platforms, our goal is to create a seamless technology environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Last Year’s Efforts
- Transition to TeamDynamix: ITS has implemented TeamDynamix to replace our current IT ticketing system. Key benefits to this system include a streamlined Service Catalog, enhanced user experience, improved efficiency with automated workflows, and scalability for future growth.
- Media Asset Management (WTC): ITS launched a Media Asset Management (MAM) solution to centralize multimedia asset management for select production teams, providing a single, organized source for media files, tagging, and collaboration. The first phase at Water Tower Campus was completed in 2025.
- Phone System Transition (HSC): A new cloud-based phone system leveraging Microsoft Teams was implemented on the Health Science Campus in early 2025. Learn more.
- Reduce Phishing Emails: Focusing on risk reduction, we have researched additional methods to reduce phishing emails and compromised accounts.
Upcoming Efforts
- Classroom Technology Refresh: We will be modernizing classrooms over the next few years across all three campuses, including LSC, WTC, and HSC. Classroom Technology Services will partner with Facilities on this multi-year refresh to enhance both technology and the overall learning environment. Updates will include new instructional technology such as cameras, microphones, and workstations, along with refreshed finishes like carpeting and paint. Several spaces will also receive new furniture. Work will begin in summer 2026.
- Enterprise Portal Implementation: We're building a one-stop-shop portal for students, faculty, and staff to access everything we need, all in one online and mobile application. Our key systems will never again be out of reach because the Enterprise Portal Project will bring those systems to our fingertips. We have completed gathering requirements and are selecting two finalists to deliver the software solution in 2026.
- High Performance Computing Upgrades: This project will enhance our computing infrastructure for research, enabling researchers to analyze larger datasets and better support multidisciplinary research.
- Media Asset Management (LSC): The Media Asset Management (MAM) solution will centralize multimedia asset management for select production teams, providing a single, organized source for media files, tagging, and collaboration. The second phase is planned to complete in Spring 2026.
- Phone System Transition (LSC & WTC): The second phase of this project extends to Lakeshore and Water Tower campuses to be complete in Spring 2026. This new cloud-based phone system leveraging Microsoft Teams. Learn more.
Developing an Enterprise IT Architecture Plan
A comprehensive enterprise architecture plan is vital for aligning technology with the university’s strategic priorities. ITS will develop a roadmap encompassing enterprise technology, systems, data, and business processes, with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the evolving technology needs of the university community.
Last Year's Efforts
- Identity Access Management (IAM): Loyola transitioned to a new cloud-based system in 2025, affording improved automation, service and security. Our previous Identity Access Management system was first implemented in 2006 and grew to manage over 60,000 accounts with notable limitations, as it was difficult to update, required regular manual intervention, and lacked efficient role management.
- Firewalls: In 2025, Infrastructure Services and Information Security and Compliance collaborated to redesign the university’s firewall environment to reduce both complexity and operational expense while ensuring operation and compliance with policies.
Upcoming Efforts
- Campus Network Improvements: This initiative aims to enhance network performance by increasing overall capacity, broadening access, optimizing the efficiency of data center operations, and improving wireless coverage.
- Administrative Rights Control: As part of the university's ongoing commitment to safeguarding institutional and personal data, ITS is investigating the removal of local administrative rights from university-owned personal computers. This security enhancement will reduce the risk of malware, unauthorized software installations, and inadvertent system changes that could compromise teaching, research, or administrative systems. When elevated access is required for academic or operational needs, it will be provided through approved, time‑limited processes, balancing strong cybersecurity controls with the flexibility needed to support the university's mission.
Last Year's Efforts
- Windows 11 Migration: We developed a new Windows 11 image for faculty/staff, tested its compatibility with existing Loyola applications and deployments. Based on these tests, Windows 11 will be extended to other image versions, including labs, e-classrooms, and kiosks.
- Terminal Four (T4) CMS Cloud Migration: Loyola’s Web Content Management System, which manages content for luc.edu, completed migrating to Terminal Four's cloud platform in December 2025. This has enabled the vendor to handle hosting, monitoring, security patching, and upgrades, and enabled Loyola to concentrate on content management support. It has also reduced publishing latency and introduced new features like the program finder to enhance content management.
- WorkForce Ready Cloud Implementation: UKG's WorkForce Central (Kronos) Time and Attendance platform sunset as support ended in December 2025. The UKGReady upgrade was implemented at the start of January 2026.
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Transformation Readiness: Moran Technology Consulting (MTC) partnered with Loyola to assess readiness for transforming the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ecosystem, including HR, Payroll, Finance, and Student Information. MTC presented ERP roadmap with scenarios and recommendations to Loyola's executive leadership in September 2024.
- Enterprise Research Administration (ERA) System: Office of Research Services and ITS began implementing Cayuse, a new cloud-based ERA system that encompasses 10 application modules across multiple functional areas.
- WebFOCUS: Finance and ITS collaborated on a significant project to retire WebFOCUS through a transition of more than 750 reports to Microsoft Server Reporting Services (SSRS). This migration aims to enhance reporting capabilities, streamline processes, and improve data accessibility across departments. Upon successful completion of this initiative, the institution will have more efficient and user-friendly reporting solution.
Upcoming Efforts
- Cayuse (Enterprise Research Administration): In December 2025, Cayuse entered its phase 2 of implementation and is expected to complete it by the end of calendar year 2026. The four initial modules of this phase were Conflict of Interest, Proposals, Animal Oversight (IACUC), and Hazard Safety, which have been successfully implemented. The fifth module is complete and scheduled to go live in Spring 2026. Currently, implementation of three additional modules (Vivarium Operations, Human Ethics and Inventions) is underway. Learn more.
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Transformation: Loyola will develop a comprehensive enterprise resource planning system that consolidates student information, human resources, enrollment management, finance, research, and advancement platforms into a single, integrated technology environment.
- Student Revitalization (Student Information System, LOCUS): This project aims to enhance the functionality and efficiency of the PeopleSoft Campus Solutions student information system (LOCUS) by streamlining business processes, optimizing integrations, and enabling existing but unused functionality. Originally implemented over 20 years ago, this system serves overall student planning, registration, transcript management, graduation processing, grades, reporting, and more. Working with a system implementer, this project encompasses 3 phases of assessment, recommendation, and iterative implementation. In 2025, we completed the assessment phase and expect final recommendations to be provided in Spring 2026.
- Workday Implementation: This project aims to implement Workday, the Human Capital Management (HCM)/Finance platform, to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. The guiding principles to ensure alignment with university mission and goals include: uniformity, enhancing the user experience, efficient data and informed management, and streamlined automations. Project pre-planning activities began in 2025, with a target go live of Summer 2027.
Updating Technology Governance
Effective technology governance is crucial for accountability, transparency, and compliance. ITS has established efforts with the university to develop a modern governance framework that meets the university’s strategic, tactical, and operational technological needs. This framework will establish clear policies and procedures for managing technology resources and investments, ensuring effective decision-making and evaluation of new initiatives.
Enhancing the Loyola Technology Experience
We already have a strong portfolio of technology resources and services, and we seek to make these resources more accessible. By improving interoperability and creating user-friendly interfaces and platforms, our goal is to create a seamless technology environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Developing an Enterprise IT Architecture Plan
A comprehensive enterprise architecture plan is vital for aligning technology with the university’s strategic priorities. ITS will develop a roadmap encompassing enterprise technology, systems, data, and business processes, with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the evolving technology needs of the university community.