Meet Chris Wessells

Chris Wessells is a Higher Education IT/AI Strategist with more than 30 years of experience and depth of knowledge and a strong background in building successful relationships. Chris is passionate about creating strategy, driving planning, and providing solutions that foster transformational change at universities and colleges. Chris served for thirteen years as Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer at the University of San Diego during a period of significant growth that fostered radical transformation of IT services and solutions in support of USD’s faculty, students, and staff. In addition, he served as Vice Provost, CIO, and Dean of Libraries at the University of Rhode Island.

Chris is a product of academia, being born at Yale University/New Haven Hospital and raised on the Stanford University campus through parents in academia. He enjoys the intellectual challenge of advancing technology and IT services in support of teaching, learning, research, and operational excellence on college and university campuses. He is thrilled to serve as the Acting CIO at San José State University during a period of significant growth and advancement under President Teniente-Matson’s leadership.