Samuel Williams

Interim Vice Provost & CIO | Oregon State University | University Information & Technology.

Portland, Oregon, United States

About

I bring over 25 years of experience in technology, including the past 13 years in leadership roles within higher education institutions across Oregon. My responsibilities have spanned both administrative and academic technology, giving me a unique perspective on how IT strategy can support institutional goals. One of my core aspirations is to foster innovation by creating “gracious space” for critical conversations a concept I embraced through my experience with Leadership Montana. Gracious Space is about inviting diverse perspectives and cultivating inclusive environments where collaboration thrives. I believe that by seeking out new viewpoints and building welcoming spaces, we can drive meaningful progress across teams, organizations, and communities. Beyond my professional work, I am proud to be an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana. Growing up with my mother and her family, I learned the deep value of community, the significance of art, and the importance of appreciating the beauty in the world around us. These lessons continue to shape how I lead and how I engage with others.

Experience

  • Oregon State University (On-site)
    • Interim Vice Provost for University Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer
      Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • Executive Director of Business Architecture
      Aug 2023 - Feb 2026 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      The Executive Director of Business Architecture (ED-BA) is the senior University Information and Technology (UIT) executive with responsibility from the Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for achieving the objectives of the business architecture domain by making business architecture the glue that binds together OSU’s IT enterprise strategy, design, modeling, and solutions ecosystem. The ED-BA is a member of the CIO’s executive team and the passionate, innovative, and forward-thinking leader of a diverse team that encompasses Service Planning & Delivery units, including Organizational Change Management, Service Desk, IT Consulting, IT Training, Stakeholder Engagement, Digital Experience, and IT Governance.

  • Podcast Producer at Abuelas en Acción
    Jan 2020 - Nov 2025 · 5 yrs 11 mos

    I work behind the scenes and produce the podcast. Abuelas en Acción (Grandmothers in Action) is an exciting new podcast hosted by Marie Dahlstrom and Dr. Rosemary Celaya-Alston! This podcast focuses on health equity and economic justice, climate change and immigration justice. Abuelas en Acción will interview guests whose stories will inspire us through understanding toward practical action—to break through limits. Abuelas en Acción are grandmothers who care about the future of our country.

  • Chief Information Officer at Linfield University
    Jun 2020 - Aug 2023 · 3 yrs 3 mos

  • Co-Founder and mentor at On the Bluff Studios
    Aug 2015 - Jun 2020 · 4 yrs 11 mos

    On the Bluff Studios was created by Samuel Williams (Director of Academic Technology Services and Innovation) and UP alumni Nick Huey (class of 2017) as a way to meet the growing demand for quality academic multimedia assets. In September of 2015 the team came together for the first time. The team brainstormed and came up with the name “On The Bluff Studios”. On The Bluff Studios is a project of Academic Technology Services and Innovation, a Division of Information Services, and supported by the Office of the Provost and the Vice President of Operations. OTBS is a student run multimedia design studio that has a focus on academic content. The projects can range from supporting instructional media to small marketing initiatives.

  • University of Portland (9 yrs 10 mos)
    • Director of Academic Technology Services & Innovation
      Jan 2013 - Jun 2020 · 7 yrs 6 mos

      Manage the day-to-day operations of Academic Technology Services & Innovation, a division of Information Services. Charged with the support of online, hybrid and technology-assisted courses. Lead a team that manages the Learning Management System, ePortfolio Platform, Video Management System, and the creation of blogs/professional sites using Wordpress. Leads efforts to provide faculty professional development, which includes the new Boost Platform for Online Professional Development and Continuous learning. Lead the Instructional Design and Multimedia Design services for online and hybrid learning. Mentor and collaborate with “On The Bluff Studios”, a student run multimedia design studio. Leads efforts on assistive technologies, working with Accessible Education Services to ensure universal access to content for students. Co-lead for the new Ignite Grants for faculty innovation under the Office of the Provost. Lead a larger year-long innovation program under ATSI exploring larger technology integration projects. Collaborate with the Directors of Technical Services and Web and Enterprise Services on strategic planning to meet the goals and direction of the CIO. A dotted line of supervision back to the Provost which requires regular meetings to understand the goals and needs of the Academic community. Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on IT for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 academic years.

    • Academic Technology Specialist and Trainer
      Sep 2010 - Dec 2012 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Provide direct support to faculty on the integration of technology in their teaching and classroom. Support face-to-face, technology assisted, hybrid and fully online courses. Research and test emerging technology. Develop just-in-time training resources using a variety of multimedia tools. Provide faculty with training on Moodle, Mahara, WebEx, Wordpress, Podcasting, Adobe Products, iPads and other academic technology. Application administration for MediaSpace and other Academic SaaS applications. Responsible for assistive technology and the closed caption requests for academic video.