Milestones are a critical part of Boldly IT. They turn a broad vision into clear, measurable progress. Milestones break down long-term strategies into achievable steps that can be tracked and evaluated .
Boldly IT emphasizes collaboration, shared goals, and continuous improvement—bringing together faculty, staff, researchers and IT professionals to move toward a common future . These milestones demonstrate steady progress, adjust to changing needs, and ensure accountability while staying aligned with the broader mission of empowering people, fostering innovation, and supporting the success of students, faculty, and staff.
The Boldly IT Strategic Plan launched in August 2025.
Q2 2026
- Regulated Research – Architecture and Infrastructure completed its task through submission of deliverables including a report establishing the practical technical foundation for enabling regulated and sensitive research with defined next steps. (Priority 5: Build cohesive research support together).
- Rebranded the Technology Services Help Desk to IT Service Desk to better reflect and clarify the service’s role as an entry point for IT support across campus. (Priority 6: Strengthen foundational IT capabilities).
- Reopened the remodeled the IT Service Desk location in the Digital Computer Lab. (Priority 6: Strengthen foundational IT capabilities).
Q1 2026
- The Technology Executive Governance Committee approved the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee charter and membership. (Priority 1: Change how we work).
- Launched Teaching and Learning Technology Leadership Table and finalized charter. (Priority 1: Change how we work).
- Kicked off the Device Lifecycle Management and the Server Consolidation, Backups and OS Management efforts. (Priority 1: Change how we work).
- IHR announced the Job Architecture Initiative at the Council of Deans. (Priority 1: Change how we work).
- Launched Foundational Gen AI training series for employees and leadership for the spring semester. (Priority 2: Advance our use of data and AI).
- Launched the following projects (Priority 2: Advance our use of data and AI).
- AI-Enhanced HR Resume Scoring App
- ACES Advising Chatbot Assistant
- College of Education KnowledgeBase Chat Bot
- AI Accessibility Remediation Tool
- KnowledgeBase Writer Custom GPT
- Co-executive sponsors created the IT Operational Excellence Leaders Committee to focus on administrative enablement and simplification. (Priority 3: Enable simplification in administrative processes)
- Co-executive sponsors created the Boldly IT Online Learning Infrastructure Steering Committee. (Priority 4: Build cohesive teaching and learning support together).
- Regulated Research Onboarding and Development is completed. (Priority 5: Build cohesive research support together).
Q4 2025
- The Technology Executive Governance Committee held their kickoff meeting. (Priority 1: Change how we work).
- The Boldly Illinois Data Strategy report was shared with executive sponsors (William Bernhard, Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Mairéad Martin, Vice Provost for IT and CIO). (Priority 2: Advance our use of data and AI).
- Launched ChatGPT for Education licenses for faculty and staff in the WebStore. (Priority 2: Advance our use of data and AI).
- Relaunched the Enterprise Gen AI website with updated guidance and resources. (Priority 2: Advance our use of data and AI).
- Launched the spring 2026 AI professional development series in collaboration with Illinois HR. (Priority 2: Advance our use of data and AI).
- Completed ITIL training initiative certifying 108 IT professionals on core IT Service Management principles. (Priority 6: Strengthen foundational IT capabilities).