Building Inclusive Digital Ecosystems Where Students Thrive

Bob Goeman, CIO, Metropolitan Community College

Bob Goeman, Ed.D., is the Chief Information Officer at Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in Omaha, Nebraska, where he leads a team responsible for technology operations, security and strategy. His oversight includes computer infrastructure, application services, cybersecurity, compliance, servers, audio/visual and support services. Previously, he spent over 25 years in IT roles at the University of Nebraska and taught as an adjunct professor. Goeman holds an Ed.D. in Educational Administration, an M.A. in Instructional Technology from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa.

Recognizing Goeman’s resilient leadership in higher education IT, this exclusive spotlights how his journey from teacher to CIO has shaped a student-first vision for technology. It highlights his belief in tools that disappear into the background, digital strategies that advance equity and a future where IT and academics work side by side as partners in transformation.

Curiosity and Collaboration Go Hand in Hand

If there’s one thing my journey in education has taught me, it’s that technology is most powerful when it’s rooted in curiosity and collaboration.

My career began as a middle school math teacher, where a grant project first showed me the power of technology in shaping learning. That experience moved me from K-12 into higher education, where I worked with faculty and preservice teachers as the internet was changing how information was shared. Textbooks and lectures gave way to digital tools that transformed communication and teaching.

Rooted in curiosity and collaboration, those early lessons shaped my leadership approach to foster exploration, build inclusivity and take strategic risks.

As I grew into administrative roles, I kept bridging teaching and technology, always focusing on initiatives that empower educators and students alike. Surrounding myself with technology-rich, education- focused professionals allowed me to learn, teach and apply technology in real-world settings. Two constants have guided me along the way; creating inclusive, technology-rich ecosystems and collaborating with diverse teams to make students active participants in their learning.

Today, I am proud to carry that forward with every decision anchored in student success.

Technology that Gets Out of the Way

Coming from a teaching background, my first experience with technology upgrades was as an end user. That perspective has stayed with me and shaped how I approach transformation today. It reminds me that every system, no matter how advanced, must serve the people who rely on it.

That is why I always begin with a simple question, ‘What are we solving for?’ The answer is to make life easier for students and staff and not more complicated. Efficiency, accessibility and clarity must be built into the process.

“Our job is more than keeping systems running. It’s creating the conditions for innovation to thrive. That means listen deeply, prototype boldly and never lose sight of your institution’s mission to educate”

For me, technology is not the centerpiece but the quiet enabler. I often compare it to a home-plate umpire in baseball; most effective when it disappears into the background. Real success happens when people hardly notice the system itself, but feel the difference in how they work, teach, or learn. When tools help faculty deliver lessons more effectively, allow staff to provide services more quickly, or give students smoother access to what they need, that’s when transformation proves its value.

At MCC, my focus is on the broad challenge of integrating emerging technology in ways that truly elevate classroom engagement, workforce readiness and real-world learning. For us, the measure of success is not whether we adopt the latest innovation, but whether that innovation translates into tangible benefits for our students and faculty.

Designing for the Lives Students Lead

People often say, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” I believe that to be true. My background in K-12, adult education and curriculum development keeps me grounded in the human side of technology and reminds me that every decision must serve the learner.

This is especially important at MCC. As an open-access institution, MCC is built on equity and inclusivity. We serve working adults, career changers, first-generation students and others who rely on flexibility, support and relevance. If our systems don’t work for everyone, we aren’t fulfilling our mission.

Every technology decision should align with our commitment to support all learners in achieving their goals. That’s why I measure every rollout through a human lens. Will this remove barriers or create new ones? Will it allow a single mom to study after her children are asleep? Will it help a full-time worker stay on track toward a credential?

These questions guide my decisions because technology is never about the tool itself but about enabling learners to succeed in real life.

ROI You Can Feel on Campus

In higher education, ROI isn’t just about reducing costs. It’s about creating value that people can feel, especially students.

I frame it around three things; meeting student needs, improving efficiency and enabling smarter decision-making with data.

Integrating unified platforms for enterprise resource planning and student information systems helps by streamlining workflows, reducing manual processes and giving us real-time analytics. But what matters most is how that translates to the student experience, quicker financial aid, stronger advising and easier onboarding. When I talk to leadership, I connect the dots between operational improvements and student outcomes.

Agility is the New Normal

Agility is no longer optional for CIOs. Technology changes too fast, and sometimes we’re working with platforms we don’t even fully control, like third-party clouds or AI systems.

AI stands out as one of the biggest shifts. It’s not hype anymore; it’s already shaping how we personalize learning, automate administrative work and analyze data. But with that comes responsibility. Governance, security and ethics have to move as quickly as the technology.

Move too slowly and you fall behind. Move too fast without safeguards, and you risk trust. The balance isn’t only technical, it’s cultural. In national forums like Gartner and EDUCAUSE, I see the most forward-thinking institutions marrying new tools with strong governance and a collaborative mindset. That’s the model I encourage my team to follow.

Breaking Down the Wall between IT and Academics

If I could start fresh, I would remove the divide that still exists between IT and academics.

Too often IT is treated like a utility instead of a partner. The real opportunities come when faculty, technologists and instructional designers sit together from the very beginning of a project. I’d also design with agility at the center. Education and industry aren’t slowing down, so we need platforms and teams that can pivot quickly, whether it’s integrating AI, shifting teaching models, or preparing for new workforce needs.

My advice to peers is simple. Don’t let IT stay in the back office. Position it as a transformation engine. Our job is more than keeping systems running. It’s creating the conditions for innovation to thrive. That means listen deeply, prototype boldly and never lose sight of your institution’s mission to educate.

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Enterprise resource Planning