Back to the Future – the History of the Future of Educational Technology

John O'Brien

EDUCAUSE

John O’Brien is President and CEO of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education through the use of information technology. Throughout his 25-year career in higher education, John has served as a leader in technology, academics, and institutional leadership.

He was a faculty leader in instructional technology, a statewide IT project leader, and associate vice chancellor/deputy CIO at the system level. He has been a provost and college president in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, the fifth largest higher education system in the country. Prior to his appointment at EDUCAUSE, he served as senior vice chancellor of academic and student affairs.

John holds a bachelor's degree in English and English education from Augustana College, a master's degree in Anglo-Irish Literature from the University of Dublin (Trinity College), and a doctorate in English from the University of Minnesota.