Paul Tait named Chief Information Officer for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges announced the appointment of Paul Tait as the district’s next Chief Information Officer, effective May 12.

Tait will succeed Alex Cline, who is retiring after nearly three decades of service.

“Mr. Tait brings to this role 28 years of dedicated service to IECC and a deep familiarity with our systems, our people, and our mission,” said IECC Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower. “Over the course of his time with us, Paul has provided quiet but steady leadership in areas such as cybersecurity, data protection, enterprise infrastructure, and end-user support. He has consistently approached his work with professionalism, patience, and a strong commitment to detail.”

In addition to his technical expertise, Gower praised Tait’s leadership skills.

“In addition to his industry knowledge, Paul just has the right temperament to lead a complex division. He builds relationships and trust, and is unassuming and willing to listen. Those leadership traits are necessary and will empower his team to manage change and launch practical solutions,” said Gower. “These qualities, combined with his institutional knowledge, make him exceptionally well suited for this position.”

Tait called his appointment both a personal milestone and a professional honor.

“Spending nearly three decades with IECC has been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and service,” Tait said. “Stepping into the role of Chief Information Officer is both a personal milestone and a professional honor. Personally, it reflects the trust and confidence that the organization has placed in me, and it reaffirms my deep commitment to IECC’s mission. Professionally, it’s an exciting opportunity to lead our technology strategy at a critical time — to help drive innovation, enhance our systems, and ensure we are delivering the best possible support to our students, faculty, and communities. I’m proud of where we’ve been, and I’m energized for what’s ahead.”

Tait outlined his initial priorities for the role, which include building relationships across the district and fostering a strong IT culture. 

“My priorities are to build relationships with the Chancellor, CFO, HR, and board members and align IT vision and strategy tightly with SEP projects,” he said. “I also plan to assess the skills, gaps, and potential within our IT team and foster a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative IT culture.”

With cybersecurity and data protection more important than ever, Tait said maintaining and enhancing the district’s security efforts will remain a top focus.

“Cybersecurity and data protection are top priorities because our students, staff, and community trust us to safeguard their personal information and educational resources,” Tait said. “To continue strengthening these areas, we are investing in updated security infrastructure, conducting regular security audits, and enhancing staff training to recognize and respond to potential threats. We’re also working closely with cybersecurity experts to stay ahead of emerging risks and update our data protection policies to align with best practices. Importantly, we’re fostering a culture of shared responsibility where everyone understands their role in keeping our systems secure.”

Tait emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication in leading IECC’s IT operations.

“Maintaining strong relationships and clear communication across all IECC campuses is a priority for me,” he said. “I plan to continue fostering collaboration by being highly accessible and visible — making regular visits to each campus, listening actively to the needs and concerns of students, faculty, and staff, and creating consistent two-way communication channels.”

Looking ahead, Tait said he hopes the broader college community understands the important role his team plays behind the scenes.

“One thing we hope students, faculty, and staff understand is that our department works tirelessly behind the scenes to create a smooth, supportive environment that allows the IECC community to thrive,” he said.