Rider names new chief information officer

Douglas McCrea has been named Rider University’s new associate vice president for information technology and chief information officer (CIO). He began in the role Sept. 3.

The CIO, which has been elevated to Cabinet position, is responsible for aligning technology to academic and administrative strategic objectives.

McCrea comes to Rider after 19 years at Rutgers University, where he served in various IT roles with increasing responsibility.

“In addition to the fact that he is a seasoned technology expert, what also excites me about Doug joining us at Rider is that he is an IT thought leader, communicator and innovator,” says Jim Hartman, Rider’s vice president for finance and chief financial officer.

McCrea will oversee a complex portfolio of information technology services on both campuses. These include leading, administering, planning, and budgeting areas of administrative and academic computing, enterprise systems, classroom and conference technologies, and many others.

“The role of the CIO is evolving in higher education and business alike and has become a critical part of organizational success," McCrea says. "I'm looking forward to engaging with faculty, staff and students to hear what their needs are and to help build the digital future at Rider. It's a wonderful opportunity and I'm excited to join the Rider family and the OIT team.”

At Rutgers, McCrea most recently served as the senior director of information technology on the New Brunswick campus. He was responsible for IT systems, end-user technology, software development, content management, service framework, risk management and regulatory compliance. In addition, he orchestrated IT governance and cybersecurity implementation, as well as project management, strategic planning, budget management and allocation for all IT initiatives.

Previously, as the director of information technology, he provided management and support for all IT initiatives across 65 departments on five campuses.

Hartman praised McCrea as a “natural relationship builder.”

“He values inclusion and shared vision as part of the process, with a collaborative disposition and an entrepreneurial spirit,” he says.

McCrea received a Bachelor of Science in Advanced Plant Biology from Ohio University. He has also completed the yearlong Big Ten Academic Alliance IT Leadership Program.

With the appointment, McCrea will succeed Rick Riccardi, Rider's senior associate provost and dean of libraries who had served in the interim CIO role.

"Rick has been a fantastic leader during this time and has helped to maintain and advance the Office of Information Technology and the many ongoing projects the department is constantly juggling," Hartman says. "He is a true professional, and we have been very fortunate to have someone as skilled as Rick to turn to during this transition phase."