IT GOVERNANCE
The VCCS IT governance model enables sponsorship and partnership across academic, administrative, and system stakeholders to advance shared strategies, standards, and solutions in support of colleges across the system.
Technology Governance Structure
Three interconnected governance bodies provide strategic direction, advisory insight, and operational perspective to support informed technology decision‑making across the Virginia Community College System. Together, these bodies balance enterprise priorities, stakeholder perspectives, and practical execution to guide technology investments and initiatives in support of the VCCS mission.
Decision Authority
Advisory to ITEC
Model ratified April 2025 · VCCS Technology Governance
IT Executive Council (ITEC)
Final decision authority. Established by and reports to the VCCS Chancellor. Oversees enterprise-wide IT strategy, approves the IT project portfolio, and governs technology funding and the Technology Roadmap.
Technology Council
Stakeholder-driven advisory body to ITEC. Expresses stakeholder needs, advises on technology initiatives, and identifies new initiatives for ITEC consideration. Operates through four standing committees.
Advisory Groups & TLC
Operational groups providing recommendations on specific initiatives. The Technology Leadership Committee (TLC) is a permanent body representing the senior IT leader at each of the 23 colleges.
The Three Bodies
Each body has a distinct role, working together to ensure technology decisions are informed, representative, and aligned with VCCS’s mission.
IT Executive Council (ITEC)
Tier 1 · Decision
The final decision authority in the IT governance model. Established by and reports to the VCCS Chancellor. Responsible for strategic IT decisions that impact VCCS at an enterprise level.
2 Senior Vice Chancellors
VCCS CIO (Chair, Tech Council)
Director, Shared Services Center
Technology Council (TC)
Tier 2 · Advisory
A stakeholder-driven advisory body to ITEC. Acts to express stakeholder needs, advise on technology initiatives, and identify new initiatives for ITEC consideration. Chaired by the VCCS CIO.
4 reps from TLC
1 rep from Shared Services Center
2 System Office reps
Technology Leadership Committee (TLC)
Tier 3 · Operational
Fosters partnerships with VCCS leadership, academic units, and IT professionals. Serves as the strategic voice for college IT professionals across the system.
Shared Services Center IT lead
VCCS CIO
Standing Committees
Four standing committees provide domain-specific oversight and actionable recommendations to ITEC.
Standing Committees
Campus Technology
Advises on campus‑level technology priorities across the system. Brings a cross‑institutional perspective on technology infrastructure, classroom technology, and college‑facing services to inform effective and efficient technology experiences.
Enterprise Applications
Provides guidance on enterprise systems, integration strategies, and application portfolio management. Evaluates major application investments and guides the lifecycle of core administrative and student-facing platforms.
Security & Compliance
Advises on cybersecurity posture, risk management, regulatory considerations, and incident preparedness. Develops recommendations related to system-wide security standards, controls, and practices that help protect student data and institutional assets.
Organizational Effectiveness
Examines business operations, funding models, and cost recovery strategies. Identifies opportunities for shared IT services and standardization that deliver value and efficiency across the system.
Decision Roadmap
Key governance milestones, initiative reviews, and approval checkpoints across the planning horizon.
Tech Council Decision Process
Technology requests move through a structured, transparent process — from intake through committee review, Technology Council recommendation, and final ITEC decision.
Governance Principles
Designed to be flexible, transparent, and mission-aligned — balancing oversight while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
Strategic Alignment
Technology decisions are evaluated against VCCS strategic plan goals, ensuring IT investments drive measurable educational and operational outcomes.
Broad Stakeholder Involvement
The governance process brings together Academic Services, Student Services, Admin and Finance, Workforce, Human Resources, Legal, and IT leaders from around the system to ensure technology decisions reflect diverse perspectives.
Data-Driven Decisions
Business cases are developed grounded in research, ROI analysis, financial impact, roadmap alignment, and success metrics.
Risk-Aware
Cybersecurity risk, compliance obligations, and operational resilience are core inputs to all governance decisions, managed through the Security & Compliance Committee.
Fiscal Responsibility
The governance process promotes transparency in IT spending, supports fair and sustainable cost‑recovery approaches, and guides shared services efforts that help reduce unnecessary duplication across the system.
Transparency & Communication
The Technology Council facilitates two‑way communication between IT governance and the broader system, enabling colleges to engage in governance activities and stay informed about decisions.