Thankful for Innovation. Inspired by Community.

The fall semester is winding down and as the holiday season settles in, gratitude naturally becomes part of our conversations, gratitude for moments of connection, for teamwork, and for the people who make our work meaningful. While Thanksgiving has passed, the spirit of appreciation extends well beyond November. Across University Information Technology Services (UITS), that gratitude shows up in the ways we support one another, collaborate across teams, and build the technological foundation that keeps the university running.

Every service we provide, including Wi-Fi, Brightspace, classroom technology, research computing, accessibility tools, enterprise applications, cybersecurity protections, and much more, is powered by people. People who troubleshoot late into the night, who guide departments through change, who plan ahead so our systems stay resilient, and who continuously look for ways to improve the experiences of students, faculty, and staff.

For many in UITS, gratitude begins with those daily campus connections. Teresa Banks, Information Security & Compliance Programs Manager, shared how much she values the people behind the work: “I’m always grateful for the people I get to work with. They make it a joy to come to work. Who would have thought risk assessments could be fun? But they are because of our great teams.” She also highlighted the EDGE Learning Team, whose partnership has strengthened the university’s ability to deliver timely, meaningful training to more than 35,000 employees and Designated Campus Colleagues).

Across UITS, similar themes echo Teresa’s comments. Jessica Schock, Assistant Director of IT Support, reflected on joining UITS during a moment of revitalization and transformation. “It’s inspiring to work alongside colleagues who share their expertise and excitement in building something new,” she noted. For her, gratitude lies in the trust, shared problem-solving, and cross-team conversations that deepen understanding and help shape solutions that truly serve end users. Small wins, like aligning workflows, clarifying goals, and listening to diverse perspectives, have made a big difference in strengthening relationships and improving service delivery.

As we near the end of the year, UITS extends gratitude to every team member whose dedication, compassion, and creativity shape our collective impact. Technology may power the university, but it’s our people, their willingness to collaborate, connect, and contribute, who move us forward.