CIO of UCLA Anderson on Generative AI and SaaS Management in Higher Education

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We welcome you to “SaaS Masterminds,” Season 2 of the CloudEagle podcast. In this episode, Nidhi Jain, CEO of CloudEagle, hosts Howard Miller, Chief Information Officer at UCLA Anderson School of Management, as our esteemed guest.

Howard reflects on his career path from pharmaceuticals to academia, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and aligning technology with business outcomes. His journey offers valuable advice for aspiring IT leaders: pursue your passion, be open to pivots, and focus on influencing stakeholders to drive business goals.

The conversation also explores how security and cost optimization have become top priorities for higher education IT. Howard highlights UCLA’s shift from minimal security resources to a dedicated team of four, underscoring the increasing importance of identity protection and data security.

On the cost front, he explains how shrinking post-pandemic budgets have necessitated careful evaluation of contracts and expenses to eliminate waste.

A major focus of the discussion is UCLA Anderson’s AI-first strategy. Howard shares how the university has embraced AI to streamline operations and enhance student engagement.

Initiatives include using chatbots to automate IT services and training AI models exclusively on internal data for secure use. Drawing from his experience with Keith Ferrazzi’s consulting framework, he highlights the importance of trust, accountability, and co-elevation within teams—where everyone is responsible for each other's success.

Don't miss this insightful conversation with a seasoned IT leader, offering valuable perspectives on AI adoption, security management, cost optimization, and building high-performing teams in higher education.

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