Institutional Strategy
Connecting technology investments, governance, and priorities to student success, institutional goals, risk, and long-term sustainability.
Higher Education Executive Leadership
Russell Kaufman, DBA
Chief Information Officer
Leading at the intersection of institutional strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology.
About
Technology leadership grounded in institutional purpose.
Dr. Russell E. Kaufman is a higher education CIO and executive leader with more than 20 years of experience using technology to advance institutional strategy, student success, operational effectiveness, and innovation.
As Chief Information Officer at Palm Beach State College, he serves on the President's Cabinet and provides executive leadership for college-wide technology strategy and operations across a multi-campus environment. His portfolio spans enterprise systems, infrastructure and cloud services, cybersecurity, application development and support, end-user technology, institutional research and analytics, project management, and emerging technology.
His work focuses on aligning technology with institutional priorities, including enterprise modernization, cybersecurity and resilience, the digital student and employee experience, data-informed decision-making, responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, and collaboration around emerging technologies.
Executive Focus
A CIO portfolio built around strategy, trust, and transformation.
Technology matters most when it advances the institution. These areas define Russell's current executive focus.
Digital Transformation
Modernizing enterprise systems, digital services, identity, applications, cloud capabilities, and operating models to improve institutional effectiveness.
Cybersecurity & Resilience
Strengthening governance, risk management, identity, incident response, security operations, and institutional resilience.
Data, AI & Institutional Research
Advancing analytics, decision support, strategic performance measurement, data governance, and responsible AI adoption.
Emerging Technology
Exploring how AI, quantum-safe networking, advanced infrastructure, and new technology ecosystems can expand institutional capability and opportunity.
Partnership & Governance
Building durable partnerships across executive leadership, academic units, government, shared-service organizations, and technology partners.
Palm Beach State College
Chief Information Officer
Russell provides executive leadership for technology strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, institutional research, and technology operations at a five-campus public college.
- Enterprise systems and Workday
- Applications and development
- Infrastructure and cloud services
- Cybersecurity and resilience
- End-user technology and support
- Institutional research and analytics
- Technology project management
- AI and emerging technology
Selected Leadership Areas
From enterprise modernization to next-generation infrastructure.
Recent work reflects a broad CIO agenda that combines institutional operations with emerging opportunities.
Enterprise Transformation
Strengthening the value of enterprise platforms by connecting technology capability to business process, governance, adoption, and measurable institutional outcomes.
Cybersecurity as Institutional Risk
Positioning cybersecurity, identity, resilience, and incident preparedness as enterprise responsibilities tied directly to institutional continuity and trust.
Institutional Data & Decision Support
Advancing institutional research, analytics, dashboards, and strategic performance measures to improve planning and executive decision-making.
Quantum-Safe Collaboration
Helping advance collaborative quantum and quantum-safe networking work that brings together higher education, government, research, and industry partners.
Experience
A career built through increasing scope and responsibility.
2024 to Present
Chief Information Officer
Palm Beach State College
Cabinet-level executive leadership for college-wide technology strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, institutional research and analytics, infrastructure, applications, end-user services, project management, and emerging technology.
2018 to 2024
Campus Chief Information Officer
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
Led campus technology services in support of teaching, learning, and daily operations at one of the nation's largest public colleges. Responsibilities included information systems, network and infrastructure services, media and classroom technology, support operations, and campus technology planning.
2016 to 2018
Director, Campus Network Services
Miami Dade College
Provided leadership for campus network, infrastructure, support, and technology operations, building the management foundation for broader campus CIO responsibility.
2014 to 2016
Campus Network Services Manager
Miami Dade College
Managed technology operations and teams supporting enterprise connectivity, campus services, and the academic environment.
2003 to 2014
Technology Specialist
Broward County Public Schools
Built a foundation in educational technology, infrastructure, user support, technology integration, and school-based innovation.
Faculty experience: Russell has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Miami Dade College and Broward College, maintaining a direct connection to teaching, learning, and the student experience.
Leadership & Service
Contributing beyond the institution.
External service extends Russell's work into shared infrastructure, statewide modernization, institutional resilience, and educational opportunity.
Trustee
Lillie A. Schwarck Charitable Scholarship Trust
Fiduciary service supporting access to higher education for students in Iowa.
Policy Board
Northwest Regional Data Center
Policy Board member representing small customers.
Statewide Leadership
Florida College System ERP Migration Taskforce
Team Leader supporting statewide collaboration around ERP modernization.
National Service
AACC Commission on Institutional and Financial Resilience
Commission service focused on strengthening institutional resilience and long-term capacity.
Past Chair
Broward County Technology Advisory Committee
Former chair providing strategic technology guidance to Broward County Public Schools.
Ideas & Perspective
Leadership, innovation, and the changing role of technology in higher education.
Russell writes and speaks about leadership, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, organizational innovation, and emerging technology in higher education.
View articles on LinkedInEducation
Academic foundation
Doctor of Business Administration
Florida International University
Master of Science in Information Systems
Florida International University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Florida Atlantic University
Associate in Arts
Broward College
New Leadership Academy FellowUniversity of Utah and AAHHE
Beta Gamma SigmaLifetime Member
MDC Hero AwardMiami Dade College Foundation
Connect
Interested in higher education leadership, technology strategy, or collaboration?
Professional inquiries, speaking opportunities, and conversations about higher education technology are welcome.