IT Faculty Fellow will help guide technology at KU

LAWRENCE — KU Information Technology at the University of Kansas has announced the selection of Greg Thomas, professor of design in the School of Architecture, Design & Planning and director of the Center for Design Research, as the first KU IT Faculty Fellow.

Thomas will serve as an active member on both the IT Senior Leadership Team and IT Faculty Consultation Group. He will help KU IT better understand faculty needs and provide guidance on innovative solutions to support the academic and research goals of all KU faculty and enhance student learning experiences and retention.

“KU Information Technology is focused on providing innovative solutions that empower and embolden all Jayhawks to dream bigger and reach further than ever before. We gather faculty feedback in many ways, but I am thrilled with this opportunity to have a direct and personal faculty adviser as we continue to support Bold Aspirations and the University’s mission,” said Bob Lim, chief information officer.

Lim said that Thomas’ focus on the intersection of academia, research and technology as well as his history of building strong, productive relationships with internal and external partners makes him an ideal choice for the KU IT Faculty Fellow position.

“Today’s technology provides new ways to communicate and build bridges to enhance faculty research and enable students to bring creative solutions to their projects,” Thomas said. “I welcome this opportunity to bring awareness to the myriad of resources currently available through KU IT and identify and advocate for new technology solutions to empower the work of all KU.”

Thomas has collaborated with university and industry partners at KU and across the country on design and technology research projects, including working with colleagues in KU’s School of Engineering and the KU Transportation Research Institute on design of Adaptive Information Displays in vehicles, as well as developing smart grid, electric vehicles and energy applications funded by the Transportation Research Institute. Other research areas include the convergence of new health technologies to enable diagnostics and patient treatment in rural parts of Kansas. As director of the Center for Design Research, Thomas has led industry-sponsored projects for Bayer HealthCare, Ford Motors and Sprint.

“Professor Thomas will bring an innovative and faculty-focused perspective that will help KU IT identify and implement new technologies that can accelerate the success of KU faculty,” Lim said. “I look forward to working with him and am confident that he will help us create new partnerships and strengthen our relationships with faculty across campus.”