Integrated Company and Competitor Report: Education Technology Services at Penn State University

Company Overview

Education Technology Services forms a key component of Penn State University, driving the synergy between education and technology. As a division within Penn State's IT organization, it is dedicated to pioneering advancements in teaching and learning technologies to enhance educational experiences.

Leadership

David Horton

• Position: Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer

• Role: He is responsible for providing leadership and vision for the entire Penn State IT division. A notable initiative he spearheads is the multi-year IT Optimized Service Team workstream aimed at transforming IT services across the University.

• Background: With several technical certifications and active participation in various advisory boards, Horton brings a wealth of experience and insight to the role.

Crystal Ramsay, Ph.D.

• Position: Senior Director, Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT)

• Responsibilities: Ramsay leads a team to innovative educational technology solutions, enhancing learning experiences. Her extensive experience in education spans over 30 years, with a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Penn State.

Ryan Wetzel

• Position: Manager, Creative Learning Initiatives

• Role: Wetzel oversees initiatives such as the Media Commons and Maker Commons, fostering creative projects in educational contexts.

Angela Dick

• Position: Manager, Learning Design

• Role: She leads a team dedicated to partnering with faculty to design innovative educational strategies.

Organizational Focus

Penn State IT is committed to enhancing education through cutting-edge technology. This commitment is anchored by core values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and respect.

Key Initiatives

• Academic Technologies & Customer Experience: Focuses on integrating advanced technologies to improve teaching and user experiences.

• Business Technology Solutions: Manages significant enterprise business systems, including WorkLion and SIMBA.

• Enterprise Services: Ensures secure data exchange and system availability.

• Information Security: Implements robust security solutions for a safe digital environment.

Strategic Outlook

Penn State IT aligns its operations with the University's strategic goals, focusing on innovation in teaching and learning. Its approach emphasizes learning spaces, student potential maximization, and the delivery of scalable and cost-effective solutions.

Competitor Profiling

Overview

Penn State University, a prominent educational institution in State College, PA, USA, generates an estimated annual revenue of $13.8 billion and employs 54,955 staff. It stands out in the Colleges & Universities industry with formidable competitors like Laureate Education.

Primary Competitors

1. Halifax Area School District

• Revenue: $16.2M

• Employees: 90

• Employee Growth: -2%

2. Vista Autism Services

• Revenue: $39M

• Employees: 197

• Employee Growth: 6%

3. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

• Revenue: $372M

• Employees: 1,476

4. Bucknell University

• Revenue: $5.5M

• Employees: 38

• Employee Growth: 58%

These competitors feature diverse educational service offerings, with some, like Vista Autism Services, focusing on niche sectors like autism, contrasting with Penn State’s broad education technology focus.

Strategic Initiatives

Penn State leverages its strategic focus on education technology through its EdTech Network, promoting global educational reach. The university supports entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition, highlighting student innovation and funding, as demonstrated by Saveware's $15,000 win.

Industry Positioning

Penn State's global education presence is strengthened through strategic partnerships and educational technologies, positioning it as a leading educational service provider. Its competitive landscape features entities that excel in niche program delivery and community integration such as the Halifax Area School District and Vista Autism Services.

The emphasis on technological innovation and merging strategic ventures ensures Penn State remains at the forefront of the educational sector, maintaining a competitive advantage.