Chancellor recommends Darrel Huish as vice chancellor for information technology

Posted: January 15, 2010

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick said today he will recommend that the Board of Trustees appoint Darrel Huish as vice chancellor and chief information officer for the system.

Huish has been vice chancellor and chief information officer for Maricopa Community Colleges in Tempe, Ariz., since 2004. From 1996 to 2004, he was assistant vice provost for information technology at Arizona State University.

He held various other technology positions at Arizona State between 1985 and 1996. Previously, he was senior project leader for the City of Phoenix, Ariz., data processing supervisor for Arizona Phelps Dodge Corp. in Ajo, Ariz., and held various computer services positions at Brigham Young University. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration, both from Arizona State University.

The Board of Trustees is expected to consider the chancellor's recommendation at its meeting Tuesday and Wednesday.

"With students, faculty and staff increasingly relying on information technology systems, it is extremely important that we have an effective leader in this area," McCormick said. "In recent years, we have made great strides in building a safe, secure and reliable information technology network of 400,000 users.

"Darrel Huish brings an outstanding track record and a wide range of experience in all areas of information technology," McCormick said. "I am confident that with his leadership we will continue to improve the network and plan for the future."

The new vice chancellor will replace Ken Niemi, who retired earlier this month. Carolyn Parnell has been serving as interim vice chancellor.