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Florida State University Associate Vice President & Chief Information Officer\u00a0Jonathan Fozard was named a winner of the 2026 Florida Large Enterprise ORBIE Award. (Carleigh Benscoter \/ 2026 Florida ORBIE Awards)\t\t<\/p>\n\t\tFlorida State University Associate Vice President & Chief Information Officer\u00a0Jonathan Fozard was named a winner of the 2026 Florida Large Enterprise ORBIE Award. (Carleigh Benscoter \/ 2026 Florida ORBIE Awards)\t\t<\/p>\n
Florida State University Associate Vice President & Chief Information Officer\u00a0Jonathan Fozard has received a prestigious statewide honor recognizing his leadership in technological innovation and his commitment to expanding internship opportunities that equip students for the evolving workforce.<\/p>\n
Fozard was named a winner of the 2026 Florida\u00a0Large Enterprise\u00a0ORBIE Award, a recognition that honors chief information officers and technology executives who\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0excellence in\u00a0leveraging\u00a0technology to solve complex challenges, accelerate innovation and strengthen organizational performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day, I find meaning and value in what I do,\u201d Fozard said. \u201cI\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0wake up and feel bored; I wake up and think about how we are\u00a0impacting\u00a0lives and the amazing people I get to work alongside each day. We are literally impacting the lives of the next generation of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fozard noted that the university\u2019s investments in technology and innovation, from internships to new AI tools, create opportunities that will outlast his tenure.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis next generation is going to come up with the next new idea, the next innovation and the next technology breakthrough. And it started here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fozard was selected for the honor through an independent review process led by\u00a0previous\u00a0ORBIE winners. Judges focused on his leadership effectiveness and the tangible value his technology\u00a0initiatives brought to the university,\u00a0community\u00a0and state.<\/p>\n
FSU Provost Jim Clark said the award highlights Fozard\u2019s role in pushing the university toward a more modern future.<\/p>\n
\u201cJonathan\u2019s abiding commitment to driving ITS forward and championing innovation and collaboration has transformed how we support teaching, research, operations and student success at FSU,\u201d Clark said. \u201cThis honor recognizes Jonathan\u2019s visionary leadership and tireless dedication.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Fozard was selected for the honor through an independent review process led by previous ORBIE winners. (Carleigh Benscoter \/ 2026 Florida ORBIE Awards)Judges focused on his leadership effectiveness and the tangible value his technology initiatives brought to the university, community and state.(Carleigh Benscoter \/ 2026 Florida ORBIE Awards)Through a multi-year IT alignment initiative, Fozard has unified more than 1,000 IT professionals across FSU, strengthening collaboration, governance and campuswide service delivery. (Carleigh Benscoter \/ 2026 Florida ORBIE Awards)<\/p>\n Under Fozard\u2019s leadership, FSU has\u00a0emerged\u00a0as a national leader in higher education technology, earning global recognition for advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, modern cloud infrastructure, strengthened\u00a0risk management practices, a culture-first technology leadership model and the rapid expansion of its student technology internship program.<\/p>\n Fozard\u00a0has led a comprehensive digital transformation strategy that modernizes enterprise\u00a0infrastructure, enhances student\u00a0success\u00a0and accelerates research and academic innovation under\u00a0his\u00a0RISE\u00a02030 strategic framework: Research & Instruction, Innovation & Modernization, Security & Compliance, and Engagement & Student Success.<\/p>\n Through a multi-year IT alignment initiative, Fozard has unified more than 1,000 IT professionals across FSU, strengthening collaboration, governance and campuswide service delivery. He has elevated FSU\u2019s national profile within the technology sector by developing strategic alliances with Fortune 500 and global companies, creating transformative opportunities for the university and the broader state\u00a0economy. These\u00a0partnerships, including collaborations with Amazon, Microsoft,\u00a0Snowflake\u00a0and Google, have expanded FSU\u2019s capacity in teaching,\u00a0research\u00a0and digital innovation.<\/p>\n