With more than 15 years of experience in Information Technology (IT) at several institutions of higher education, Jose Bernier, pictured right, joins the Stetson University team as associate vice president and CIO (Chief Information Officer). Bernier holds an Ed.D., and an educational specialist degree in higher education administration, from the University of Florida, a master’s in management information systems from Florida International University, and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Central Florida. He has held leadership positions in IT Management at the University of Florida, Saint Leo University, the University of Hawai’i Maui College and The State University of New York (SUNY) Orange County Community College.

“Jose brings to Stetson more than 15 years of leadership roles in information technology at multiple campuses,” said F. Robert Huth, executive vice president and CFO at Stetson University, and Bernier’s immediate supervisor. “He has expertise in all areas of IT, including organizational development and strategic vision, and we are very fortunate to have him at Stetson,” Huth said.

Before joining Stetson’s ranks, Bernier served as vice president for information technology and CIO at SUNY Orange, overseeing administrative and educational technology for more than 7,000 students and 1,300 full- and part-time faculty and staff. He was responsible for the implementation of college-wide solutions, customer services oversight, project management and systems interoperability.

As vice chancellor for information services and CIO at the University of Hawai’i Maui College, Bernier was responsible for the management, development, and oversight of technology for more than 5,000 users at five educational centers located on three different islands. A strong advocate of innovative learning initiatives, Bernier developed programs incorporating distance-learning technology and managed the distance-learning infrastructure.

At Saint Leo University, Bernier was responsible for overseeing the development, support, and management of 23 continuing education centers located around the country, and provided the necessary infrastructure for a stable distance-learning environment. Prior to joining St. Leo, Bernier worked in information technology for five years at the University of Florida.