Seton Hall University Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies Hosts the Second CIO Roundtable

Seton Hall University's Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, in collaboration with the NJ Society of Information Management, held the second CIO Roundtable on October 23, 2024. The Roundtable, attended by 20+ CIOs and University leaders, discussed Gen Z and building high-performing multi-generational teams in the workplace.

Under the guidance of Professor Renee Robinson, the session was a dynamic exchange of ideas. The active participation of Katia Passerini, Mary Kate Naatus,  Paul Fisher, John H. Shannon, Elizabeth Halpin, and Ruchin Kansal, along with the students Matthew Gupta and Stephen Holt from the Buccino Leadership Institute, added a fresh perspective to the discussion.

Some of the key takeaways from the session include:

• Gen Z espouses the same values as previous generations, and they may be more willing to live those values.
• Gen Z faces a vastly changed labor market where job permanence is fleeting. They need to be truly adaptive.
• Gen Z seeks the same things as previous generations: growth, collaborative work environments, learning and development and good leaders.
• Gen Z has a different communication and work style. Open communication is crucial in understanding multi-generational perspectives in the workplace and finding common ground.

Overall, everyone left more optimistic, more willing to listen, more willing to adapt and more willing to play their part in integrating Gen Z into the workforce.

Professor Ruchin Kansal, member and former trustee of SIM NJ, highlighted the significance of the CIO Roundtable. "This event reaffirms Seton Hall University's dedication to fostering collaboration between academia and industry to develop future-ready talent," he stated. "The Roundtable not only allows us to understand the real-world challenges faced by industry leaders but also helps us develop shared perspectives on the best ways to prepare future talent and identify opportunities for professional development."

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with SIM NJ through initiatives like the CIO Roundtable, which reflect Seton Hall University's commitment to equipping students and professionals with the skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly changing workforce," said Mary Kate Naatus, assistant provost and dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies. "Our professional development offerings, from leadership training to emerging technology workshops, are designed to meet the demands of dynamic organizations, ensuring that our students are well positioned for success."

Kevin Schwesinger, vice president of Membership and Trustee of SIM NJ added, "The partnership between SIM NJ and Seton Hall University's Division of Continuing and Professional Education has truly flourished since the launch of the CIO Roundtable series in March 2024. What began as a promising initiative has rapidly evolved into a dynamic and highly valued collaboration, one that SIM NJ CIOs eagerly anticipate and cherish. With our second Roundtable now behind us, the benefits for both SIM NJ’s IT leaders and the university’s staff, faculty and students continue to expand. Our members, who are at the forefront of the Information Technology field, have found great value in tapping into the university’s wealth of research and expertise. We look forward to further exploring cutting-edge topics and uncovering practical solutions to real-world IT challenges, strengthening this partnership even more."

Our CIO Roundtable series reinforces the importance of bridging generational gaps in the workplace and also exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry and academia. Seton Hall University's Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, in partnership with NJ SIM, continues to provide a platform for exchanging cutting-edge ideas that address real-world challenges. The success of this initiative highlights the university’s commitment to preparing students for leadership in a fast-evolving workforce and ensuring industry professionals have access to fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. As we look toward future collaborations, this partnership stands as a model for how academic institutions can directly contribute to shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Categories: Education, Science and Technology