Imagine a world with no smartphones, no YouTube, no Facebook and no AI.
That was the technology landscape Tracy Futhey arrived in when she assumed the role as Duke’s chief information officer in 2002.
Futhey, officially the university’s vice president for information technology, oversees the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
Now in her fifth term, she has lead Duke through many advances and changes. Everything from your email working properly to ensuring academic and research technology are optimal for the myriad needs across the university fall under Futhey’s oversight.
OIT also provides core technology infrastructure and support for Duke University Health System in partnership with Duke Health Technology Solutions, as well as for Duke Kunshan University and other international programs and sites.
Most recently, OIT worked furiously to restore computer services to the Duke community following the CrowdStrike incident.
Futhey has also led national and regional efforts, from the introduction of the nation’s first higher education-owned and -operated national research and education optical network to the creation of an alliance of regional municipalities and universities that led to the buildout of residential gigabit fiber networks in Durham and the Research Triangle. Under her guidance, Duke’s regional fiber network has been extended to serve Durham city, county and Durham Housing Authority locations.
She also serves on various industry advisory councils for Fortune 100 technology companies and has been awarded National Science Foundation grants supporting the deployment of cyber-infrastructure, security technologies and advanced networks. Industry collaborations include with Apple to launch iTunesU and with Apple and Transact to envision and devise the digital DukeCard.
Back at Duke, Futhey’s vision has included innovative programs that enhance the student experience, such as Innovation Co-Lab, DTech Scholars and Code+.
“Ms. Futhey is an extraordinarily effective chief information officer who has earned respect and admiration across the institution for her decades of leadership of IT at Duke during a period of tumultuous change and tremendous advances,” said Ashutosh Chilkoti, chair of biomedical engineering, who lead the committee that approved her most recent appointment.
“She is seen as a national leader in university IT, and Duke is fortunate to have her.”
