Elevating Impact Through Professional Communities of Practice

Professional communities of practice are vital to advancing innovation, leadership, and collaboration across higher education. At the University of Arizona, staff in the CIO Division actively participate in these national networks—helping shape conversations, share solutions, and raise the university’s profile across key areas like technology, cybersecurity, compliance, and CRM strategy.

Here are six standout professionals and the communities where they are making an impact:

Meredith Aronson – Advancing CRM Innovation with Salesforce

Director, CRM and Digital Experience Services

Meredith Aronson has served on the Salesforce Higher Education Advisory Council (HEAC) for several years, alongside representatives from more than 20 universities and colleges. Through biweekly meetings, annual gatherings, and volunteer initiatives, such as the Educause CRM working group, HEAC supports institutions leveraging Salesforce in education and collaborates directly with Salesforce leadership. The council contributes to major events such as the “Education Summit” and “Higher Ed Dreamin’,” providing presentations and panels. For the University of Arizona and the Trellis team, participation provides national visibility, professional development, peer collaboration, and opportunities to engage with innovations in the Salesforce ecosystem.

Brett Bendickson – Boomi Community Champion

IT Enterprise Architect, Digital Experience Technologies

Brett Bendickson was recently recognized as an “Events & User Group Champion” by the Boomi Community Champions Program—an honor awarded to individuals who actively contribute and make a meaningful impact. Brett’s recognition highlights his dedication to knowledge sharing and his engagement in training sessions, events, and professional discussions. His involvement not only demonstrates personal commitment but also enhances the University of Arizona’s presence in the Boomi ecosystem by fostering connections, collaboration, and growth.

Ian McSpadden – Cybersecurity Leadership in Public Media

Chief Technology Officer, AZPM

Ian McSpadden was elected Chair of the Cyber Security Peer Learning Community (PLC) within the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). NETA supports public media professionals in growing their skills, collegiality, and long-term commitment to education. In his role, Ian leads one of NETA’s six professional learning communities, focusing on best practices, professional support networks, and high-impact cybersecurity projects. Elected by his peers, Ian’s leadership expands the University of Arizona’s reach in public media and demonstrates the university’s investment in collaborative, cross-sector innovation.

Emily Perry – Shaping National Procurement Strategy

Software Supply Chain Manager, UITS 

Emily Perry plays a key leadership role by helping shape national dialogue on IT procurement and vendor management in higher education. She serves on the steering committee for the IT Procurement and Supplier Management Community Group at EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit advancing strategic uses of technology in education. In addition, Emily contributes to the Business Procurement Legal Advisory Committee for Internet2 and is a founding member of Internet2’s Vendor Management Community of Practice. Her leadership brings national visibility to the university’s expertise while promoting the exchange of procurement strategies and collaborative solutions.

Wendy Epley – Guiding Compliance and Research Security

Analyst, Information Security Office – Governance, Risk & Compliance

Wendy Epley recently served as vice chair for the EDUCAUSE 2025 Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference (CPPC). She also co-leads the Regulated Information Security Compliance (RISC) Community Group and contributes to both the Regulated Research Community of Practice (RRCoP) and the International Sanctions and Export Control Society, where she serves as Executive Team Secretary. Wendy’s work integrates legal, technical, and ethical perspectives—positioning her to influence national and international conversations on cybersecurity and research compliance. Her engagement supports the university’s visibility in critical policy areas while building partnerships that reflect a commitment to integrity and innovation.

Sarah Wieland – CRM Champion in Higher Ed User Group

Product Owner/Manager, Trellis

Sarah Wieland contributes as an elected champion for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) within the Higher Education User Group (HEUG) Community of Practice. HEUG’s mission is to help institutions maximize the value of their technology investments through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Sarah has hosted coffee hours, presented at Alliance conferences, and cultivated a strong network of CRM professionals to consult on both immediate and complex challenges. Her work emphasizes shared learning and the importance of recognizing colleagues’ contributions—reinforcing both personal and institutional growth.

A Growing Culture of Learning and Engagement

These professionals exemplify how national engagement enhances both individual careers and institutional reputation. Their leadership extends the University of Arizona’s influence across higher education—fostering knowledge exchange, strengthening partnerships, and driving forward-thinking solutions.

Interested in joining a community of practice? Explore national organizations in your field and connect with colleagues already engaged—you might be the next champion we feature!