COLUMBUS -- Executive Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray, with the concurrence of President William E. Kirwan, has selected a new chief information officer for The Ohio State University. The appointment of Ilee Rhimes Jr., vice chancellor for information technology and chief information officer for the City Colleges of Chicago, is subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees at its Nov. 3 meeting. If approved, the appointment would be effective Nov. 15.

Rhimes will replace Eileen Strider, who served as interim CIO from March 1 to July 31.

As CIO, Rhimes will oversee the Office of Information Technology (formerly University Technology Services and Administrative Resource Management System), UNITS, and Technology Enhanced Learning and Research. He also will be responsible for leading the development of information technology strategies and programs for one of the nation's largest universities.

Announcing the appointment today (10/3), Ray said, "Mr. Rhimes has extensive and solid experience in the methods, operations, development and management of technological systems, both in academia and in the corporate world. I am confident that he will bring the expertise and vision that we need to lead the Office of Information Technology, and I look forward to getting him on board."

Rhimes joined the City Colleges of Chicago, a seven-campus community college system, as vice chancellor for information technology and CIO in October 1999. In the past year, Rhimes restructured and led the completion of the PeopleSoft Human Resource system, and initiated an integrated technology strategy and planning initiative.

He also has served as a senior principal for American Management Systems, a technology corporation based in Fairfax, Va. Rhimes previously served as CIO for Kent State University, and as the university's interim vice president for business and finance and associate vice president for business and finance.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to become the CIO at The Ohio State University," Rhimes said. "And I am looking forward to working with faculty, students and staff to build on the success of the past to an even greater future."

Rhimes received a bachelor of arts degree from Governors State University, University Park, Ill.; and a master's degree in business administration from Miami University, Oxford.

* EDITOR'S NOTE: A photo of Ilee Rhimes is available electronically by contacting Karissa L. Shivley at the above number.

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