University of New England Announces Dawn Stoyanoff as New Chief Information Officer

On November 24, 2025, the University of New England (UNE) announced that Dr. Dawn G. Stoyanoff, Ph.D., will assume the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO). The decision reflects UNE’s commitment to strengthen its technology foundation, advance digital transformation, and reinforce its reputation as a leader in higher education technology across Maine, Morocco, and online platforms.

Background of Dawn Stoyanoff

Dr. Stoyanoff brings more than three decades of technology leadership to UNE. Prior to this appointment, she served as Assistant Vice President for Enterprise Applications and Services at the University of Chicago, guiding cloud‑native, SaaS migrations that improved operational efficiency and data accuracy. Her earlier roles include CIO at the University of Arkansas, where she introduced shared services and cut operating costs by $3.5 million annually, and Executive Director of Shared Information Services for the University of Texas System, delivering a $18 million annual savings for 16 institutions.

Dr. Stoyanoff’s academic credentials— a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, a master’s in communications from Northeastern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and speech communications from Monmouth College—provide a solid foundation for bridging technical strategy with institutional mission. She has published research on cloud‑based enterprise resource planning, making her a respected voice in the field.

Implications for UNE Technology Strategy

UNE’s expansion of academic programs, research capabilities, and online offerings requires a reliable and secure technology backbone. Dr. Stoyanoff’s mandate includes modernizing core systems, safeguarding data, and leveraging analytics to deliver insights that support teaching, research, and administration.

Her experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and student information systems (SIS) aligns with UNE’s current goals to unify data across two coastal campuses, a Moroccan campus, and online pathways. By implementing integrated platforms, UNE can reduce redundancy, improve reporting accuracy, and enhance the user experience for students, faculty, and staff.

Enterprise Systems Modernization

Under Dr. Stoyanoff’s leadership, UNE will likely pursue a phased migration to a cloud‑based ERP solution. This transition will consolidate financial, human resources, and enrollment management functions on a single platform, providing real‑time visibility into institutional performance. The CIO’s plans emphasize adopting flexible, SaaS offerings that can scale with student enrollment and program growth.

The modernization effort also aims to improve system uptime and resilience. Enhancing the underlying architecture will reduce downtime during peak periods, such as registration or payroll cycles, thereby fostering trust among campus stakeholders.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

Cyber threats are escalating across higher education, and UNE is no exception. Dr. Stoyanoff’s prior work on compliance and governance positions her to strengthen UNE’s cybersecurity posture. Key initiatives include:

• Establishing a university‑wide security operations center (SOC) to monitor threats, incident response, and vulnerability management.
• Implementing multi‑factor authentication (MFA) and secure access controls across all systems.
• Ensuring compliance with FERPA, GDPR, and state privacy frameworks, particularly as UNE expands its online offerings.
• Training staff and faculty on security best practices and phishing awareness.

These steps will protect sensitive student and research data, reinforce brand integrity, and comply with growing regulatory demands.

Analytics and AI‑Driven Insight

The CIO’s AI expertise will enable UNE to harness data for actionable insights. Operational analytics can identify bottlenecks in enrollment, resource allocation, or service delivery, while predictive models may forecast enrollment trends and help tailor marketing efforts.

Research communities will benefit from advanced analytics platforms integrated with institutional data warehouses. Faculty can request custom dashboards to support grant proposals and comparative studies, improving competitiveness for external funding.

Engagement with Faculty, Staff, and Students

Dr. Stoyanoff emphasized collaboration with campus stakeholders in her inaugural remarks. She plans to establish cross‑functional task forces—comprising faculty, administrators, and students—to co‑design technology solutions that reflect on‑campus and online realities. Such initiatives can:

• Gather real‑world feedback on system usability.
• Identify feature gaps between current tools and instructional practices.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

By incorporating voices from all corners of UNE, the CIO aims to create a technology strategy that aligns directly with the institution’s academic mission and student success goals.

Future Outlook for UNE’s Digital Landscape

Over the next 12 to 24 months, UNE will focus on deepening its digital footprint. The CIO’s vision includes:

• Expanding learning management system (LMS) capabilities to support hybrid and fully online courses.
• Integrating IoT devices across campus to support smart classrooms and sustainability initiatives.
• Enhancing the online student portal to provide a unified experience for uploads, grades, and financial aid.
• Implementing advanced analytics for academic advising, enabling proactive support for at‑risk students.

Each initiative is designed to elevate UNE’s competitive standing, attract prospective students, and enhance research productivity.

Call to Action

If you are an IT professional interested in contributing to a forward‑looking university environment, explore UNE’s current career opportunities in technology: Explore UNE’s IT career opportunities.

University administrators seeking guidance on platform modernization can learn more about UNE’s cybersecurity initiatives and partnership models.

Students and faculty who want to understand how technology can improve learning or research outcomes are encouraged to explore UNE’s online programs or schedule a campus visit.

To remain informed about UNE’s digital transformation journey, sign up for the institution’s technology newsletter or submit inquiries via the university’s contact page. Submit your application today if your passion aligns with UNE’s mission to empower educators and learners through innovative technology solutions.