Florida State University Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer Jonathan Fozard has been recognized with the 2026 Florida Large Enterprise ORBIE Award. The award is given to chief information officers and technology executives who demonstrate excellence in using technology to address complex challenges, foster innovation, and improve organizational performance.
“Every day, I find meaning and value in what I do,” Fozard said. “I don’t wake up and feel bored; I wake up and think about how we are impacting lives and the amazing people I get to work alongside each day. We are literally impacting the lives of the next generation of leaders.”
Fozard highlighted that investments made by Florida State University in technology, including internships and artificial intelligence tools, are creating lasting opportunities for students. “This next generation is going to come up with the next new idea, the next innovation and the next technology breakthrough. And it started here,” he said.
The selection process for the award was conducted independently by previous ORBIE winners, focusing on Fozard’s leadership effectiveness and measurable contributions through his technology initiatives at FSU, within the community, and across Florida.
FSU Provost Jim Clark commented on Fozard’s influence: “Jonathan’s abiding commitment to driving ITS forward and championing innovation and collaboration has transformed how we support teaching, research, operations and student success at FSU,” Clark said. “This honor recognizes Jonathan’s visionary leadership and tireless dedication.”
Under Fozard’s guidance, Florida State University has unified over 1,000 IT professionals as part of a multi-year IT alignment initiative aimed at improving collaboration, governance, and service delivery across campus. His efforts have helped position FSU as a national leader in higher education technology with achievements in artificial intelligence applications, modern cloud infrastructure development, risk management practices, leadership models focused on culture first principles, and expansion of student internship programs in technology.
Fozard has also overseen a digital transformation strategy under his RISE 2030 framework—Research & Instruction, Innovation & Modernization, Security & Compliance, Engagement & Student Success—aimed at updating enterprise infrastructure while supporting student achievement as well as academic research.
Additionally, he has built strategic partnerships with companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Snowflake, and Google to enhance teaching capabilities at FSU while expanding research opportunities. These collaborations have contributed not only to advancements within the university but also provided benefits for Florida’s broader economy.
More information about these initiatives can be found at https://its.fsu.edu/.
