Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Executive directors to manage IT, HR and labor relations

Michael Hites has been named executive chief information officer.

Michael Hites has been named executive chief information officer.

Three administrators have been named to manage information technologies, human resources and labor relations across the three UI campuses. The assignments became effective Feb. 16.

Appointed by UI President Michael J. Hogan: Michael Hites as executive chief information officer, Maureen Parks as executive director for human resources and Steven Veazie as executive director of labor and employee relations. The positions and attendant responsibilities stem from recommendations in the final report of the Administrative Review and Restructuring Working Group.

The ARR report in June examined administrative functions at the Urbana, Chicago and Springfield campuses, central university administration, the UI Alumni Association and the UI Foundation.

Maureen Parks has been named executive director for human resources.

Maureen Parks has been named executive director for human resources.

Hogan cited two principles that guided the working group and are important to the executive director positions: clarify organizational structures to better align responsibilities and accountability, and improve coordination and sharing of resources to enhance service and achieve economies of scale.

“It’s what I refer to as integration of back-office but mission-critical operations to make us a more cohesive and effective entity,” Hogan said.

Steven Veazie has been named executive director of labor and employee relations.

Steven Veazie has been named executive director of labor and employee relations.

Hogan said the three administrators have outstanding reputations in their fields and extensive knowledge in their areas of responsibility.

Hites joined the university in 2008 with more than 15 years of experience in higher education information technology administration. He will retain his position as associate vice president for administrative information technology services. As executive chief information officer, each campus chief information officer will report to Hites regarding administrative IT operations and policies. He will oversee the universitywide implementation of the ARR report’s IT recommendations. Hites reports to Walter Knorr, vice president and chief financial officer.

Parks has worked as a human resources professional at the university for more than a decade. As executive director, she will oversee non-academic human resources staff members on each campus and the implementation of the ARR report’s recommendations. Faculty human resource matters will continue to be handled at the campus level. Also an associate vice president, Parks reports to Knorr.

Veazie has been with the university for more than 25 years and has extensive experience negotiating agreements with collective bargaining units. He has served as deputy legal counsel and counsel for the Urbana campus. Veazie retains his position as deputy legal counsel reporting to University Legal Counsel Tom Bearrows. He also reports to Hogan regarding universitywide coordination of labor and employee relations.

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010