In December of 2022, Beth Schaefer assumed her current role as UWM’s Interim Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Prior to this she served as University Information Technology Services Chief Operating Officer (2018-2022) and Director (2015-2018). A lifelong Panther, Schaefer previously helmed UITS’ Client Services, and, before that, led the work-based learning program Student Technology Services.

As CIO, Schaefer works collaboratively with leaders of University IT Services (UITS), Campus Technology Support (CTS), Information Security, Research Computing and other related areas. Schaefer seeks to promote the alignment of budgetary and staff priorities with the teaching, research, and community engagement missions of the University and UW System.

Schaefer serves on the UW System’s CIO Council, appointed by the UW System’s Vice Presidents for Administration and Academic & Student Services and serves on the UW System Administrative Transformation Project’s leadership team as a representative of UWM. She also helms UWM’s Information Technology Advisory Committee, and is an ex officio member of the Information Technology Policy Committee. She also serves as Executive Sponsor of Information Technology projects as needed.

Schaefer’s dedication to the furthering of excellence in higher education has led her to be an active and engaged member of several educational development organizations. Most notably, Schaefer currently serves as chair of EDUCAUSE’s Recognition Committee and as Steering Committee and Outreach Officer for Itana’s Enterprise, Business and Technical Architects area.

Schaefer reports to Vice Chancellor Robin Van Harpen, Division of Finance and Administrative Affairs, and serves on Chancellor Mone’s Cabinet.