BACKGROUND The University of Kentucky (UK) is the Commonwealth’s flagship, a vibrant and diverse community that comprises students, faculty, and staff from around the state, the nation, and the world. University support needs range from serving its land-grant directive and outreach, to its teaching and learning activities, to its medical and professional facilities, each area requiring both face-to-face and virtual activities. UK should now seek to strengthen and leverage its IT systems and leadership to advance its teaching and learning innovation, transformational experiences for students, and dependability and excellence in infrastructure and operations. Since 1865, UK has provided multipurpose programs encompassing instruction, research, and public service. As a public land grant university dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research, creative work, service, and healthcare, UK is one of only eight universities in the country with the full range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and medical programs in one contiguous campus. Research at UK is conducted by students, faculty, and staff in academic departments, medical facilities, institutes, research centers, and other special units. In fiscal year 2017, the University brought in $331.3 million in total external grants and contracts, and contributed to over 1,300 sponsored projects and contracts. UK’s academic calendar includes one fall, one spring, and two summer terms, as well as a winter intersession annually. Students may select from 118 undergraduate degrees, including customized programs. The University offers advanced study in 90 program areas, awarding doctoral degrees in 61 fields and master’s degrees in 120 fields, as well as five specialist degrees and seven professional degrees. Fall term total enrollment typically exceeds 27,000 full-time students, of which 6.41% are international, 13.33% first generation, and 16.45% underrepresented minority (URM) students. In addition to traditional teaching programs, multiple colleges, centers, and programs offer continuing education and community outreach. A rich and abundant IT environment is integral to UK’s success as a residential public research campus. The University’s Strategic Plan calls for reimagining the possible for UK, the Commonwealth, and the world into the next decade and beyond. Rather than placing technology in a separate section, the strategic plan infuses technology throughout, just as technology is infused throughout the University. The plan calls upon leading- edge technology along with scholarship and research to lead innovation for the public good and development of citizen-scholars. It cites technology in encouragement and support of intellectual property development across the UK community. It places technology in action steps to expand and extend partnerships in healthcare, education, agriculture, the arts, and economic development. Where the plan does not reference IT directly, it is implied as an enabler of initiatives and action steps. Such IT integration requires leadership as well as collaboration, and a focus on University-wide planning and communication. Planning for future needs and growth can be challenging. Nevertheless, procrastination and inaction are far more perilous courses of action. Universities that do not plan for the future can expect to lag significantly behind those that do. IT Strategic Plan | 42