Dallas Hall at SMU. (Photo provided)
Southern Methodist University has launched a new program aimed at helping current and future technology leaders thrive in the C-suite.
The university said those interested can enroll in the SMU Tech CxO Excellence Program, created in partnership with Tech CxO Launchpad. The four-month program welcomed its first group of students in early February.
Offered through SMU Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE), the program features a curriculum taught by industry experts, including current or former CIOs and CTOs from top companies across DFW, according to the university.
“This program offers students an exceptional opportunity to learn from an experienced chief information officer or chief technology officer who will share valuable insights from their extensive experience in technology leadership across a variety of industries,” Terry Teague, senior director of corporate programs for SMU Global, Online and Continuing Education, said in a statement.
IT has shifted from a function to the “foundation of business”
At the first class meeting, guest speaker Charlie Feld, founder and CEO of the Feld Group Institute and former senior vice president at EDS, highlighted the importance of the training the SMU Tech CxO Excellence program provides and the critical role that technology leadership plays in driving business success and innovation, according to SMU.
“IT is moving from a function to the fabric of the business, and that’s going to cause problems for companies that don’t understand that,” Feld said during a class meeting.
From leadership to cybersecurity, financial planning and more
SMU said the SMU Tech CxO Excellence Program, a collaboration with Tech CxO Launchpad, is at the forefront of shaping the future of technology leadership.
With a comprehensive curriculum spanning leadership, cybersecurity, financial planning and performance management, the university says it will equip working professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of modern tech leadership.
“The program also fosters networking opportunities for students,” Teague said, “which we believe will encourage the exchange of information and help foster collaborative, innovative ideas. With Dallas emerging as one of the nation’s leading technology hubs, the program will equip students with the ability to effectively align business goals with technological advancements.”
SMU says the program reinforces its commitment to providing strong technology programs that benefit working professional students and support organizations in the corporate community.
Learn more about the SMU Tech CxO Excellence program here.
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