Klara Jelinkova, a proven technology innovator at some of the nation's major research universities, has been named Associate Vice President and Chief Information Technology Officer at the University of Chicago. She will begin her duties on Monday, March 1.
Currently Assistant Vice President for Shared Services and Infrastructure at Duke University, Jelinkova has earned a reputation as an effective leader. There she has created and implemented new campus-wide networks and technological services focused on the needs of faculty, students and staff. Before joining Duke, she spent a decade at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where her duties included finding new ways to use technology in support of research.
Jelinkova's appointment comes after a national search and extensive campus interviews with faculty, staff and students. As Chief Information Technology Officer, she will report to Nim Chinniah, Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Jelinkova will support the University's mission through strategic development and implementation of academic, administrative and network technologies.
"Klara has both the leadership and the creativity to help us take the next steps in information technology. She understands research universities and the important role technology plays at a university, and she has a track record of leading teams that provide outstanding service," Chinniah said.
Jelinkova will play a leadership role in supporting the University's academic enterprise by working closely with the provost, deans, and faculty to deliver programs and services that enhance teaching, research and student-life activities.
"Our success as a university depends extensively upon technology," said Provost Thomas F. Rosenbaum. "Klara's expertise, demonstrated management skill and great energy will help us transform our IT environment into one that best facilitates the core research and teaching missions of the University of Chicago."
Chinniah said that Jelinkova will be called upon to provide strategic direction and coordination for an ambitious set of initiatives across campus. He pointed to her track record of successful outcomes, and her appreciation for the planning, collaboration and partnerships that facilitate strong working relationships with academic divisions and administrative units.
At Duke, Jelinkova had direct responsibility for all core services used by administrative and academic departments: customer and technology support, service operations, systems infrastructure and enterprise internet services. Together these units provide direct support to faculty and students; service coordination; server, storage, web and application hosting; network design; and identity management services.
Jelinkova also has held positions at the Software Publishing Corporation and the ACE Center US Aid Project in Prague, Czech Republic. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Slavic Languages from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
—Prof. Chuan He
