UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Donald J. Welch, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer at Penn State, has been named vice president for information technology and global university chief information officer at New York University, effective Nov. 1.
Welch will end his Penn State tenure on Oct. 15 after nearly five years at the University. An interim vice president will be named in the near future while a national search is launched to identify Welch’s permanent successor.
“Thanks to Don’s leadership, we have been able to continue to advance our IT operations, and we have made strides in the modernization of our information technology infrastructure and services,” said Nick Jones, Penn State executive vice president and provost. “We appreciate Don’s many contributions and wish him the very best at NYU. We look forward to identifying a successor who will continue the critical work of our University-wide IT units in supporting Penn State’s operations, mission and strategic priorities.”
Welch was selected to lead Penn State’s IT enterprise in September 2020 after serving as interim vice president since July 2019. Previously, Welch served as Penn State’s chief information security officer from December 2016 to July 2019. Welch also has been an affiliate professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State.
During his time at Penn State, Welch helped to create a University-wide cybersecurity program that is now among the best in the Big Ten, and he oversaw the modernization of the University’s information security architecture. He also led the creation and execution of Penn State’s IT modernization plan, which has helped to improve efficiency through the elimination of duplicative services, and he helped to improve the collaboration and alignment of IT units across the University. This work culminated in the development of an IT strategy not just for the central IT unit, but for all 65 IT units University-wide.
“I want to thank all of the IT staff at Penn State for all they have accomplished over the last two years,” said Welch. “I’m in awe of all that we’ve done in not only supporting the community through the COVID-19 pandemic, but the progress we’ve made overall. It has truly been an honor to be part of the Penn State community.”
Prior to arriving at Penn State, Welch was the chief information security officer at the University of Michigan. He also served as president and CEO of Merit Network in Michigan, which provides research, networking and IT services to member educational institutions, and he was chief technology officer and director of merchandizing applications at H-E-B Grocery Co.
Before embarking on his civilian career, Welch served in the U.S. Army for 25 years, attaining the rank of colonel and earning the Legion of Merit for his service. Among his military assignments, Welch served as chief information officer and professor of computer science at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and he led software development for Delta Force, the Army’s counterterrorism unit.
Welch received a bachelor of science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master of science degree in computer science from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, and a doctorate in computer science from the University of Maryland at College Park.