A strategic information technology (IT) leader, Kaugars brings 30 years of experience working in several IT leadership roles. He comes to UofL from the University of Rhode Island, where he has served as chief information officer and senior advisor to the vice president for administration and finance. Kaugars’ professional experience also includes work in IT leadership roles at several institutions of higher education.

At UofL, Kaugars will oversee Information Technology Services (ITS) and work with executive and senior leadership teams as well as ITS governance committees to set the unit’s strategic vision, establish and maintain policies and provide IT services across the university.

“Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and one of our key tasks in the coming months will be to develop a strategy and approach to keep the university at the forefront of IT nationally,” said Kaugars. “I am excited to engage with academic and administrative units across the university to learn about key technology needs and how we in IT can best support the university’s strategic initiatives.”

Brad Andersen who has served as interim CIO since the fall of 2022 will begin transition planning with Kaugars to prepare for this April 1 start date, at which time Andersen will return to his role on the ITS leadership team as director of enterprise systems.

“I am thrilled to be joining the UofL community,” said Kaugars. “As a top-tier research institution with a focus on empowering social mobility, coupled with a high-performing IT function, few other institutions are better positioned to take advantage of IT to accelerate progress in our strategic goals. During my campus visit, I was impressed by the culture of UofL – purposeful and driven, yet doing so within a culture of collegiality, collaboration and kindness. It is truly a unique opportunity, and I look forward to working with everyone here for many years to come.”

As you navigate the college experience, UofL has your back. You’re never alone in the Cardinal Community. Whether your needs are related to academic success, personal wellness, general well-being or recreational activities, there are resources available to enhance your overall student experience and to ensure a thriving future. Check out these 10 helpful campus websites:

1. Ěý–ĚýUofL hosts over 400 student organizations that cover a wide variety of student interests. These groups provide a wonderful opportunity to become involved in campus life and to connect with other students on campus who enjoy some of the same things you do. Find the list of contacts on theĚý.Ěý
2. –The Student Recreation Center (SRC) offers the latest fitness facilities and equipment, complete with basketball and racquetball courts. Campus Recreation also offers activities ranging from group fitness classes to competitive intramural sports to sport clubs.
3. Ěý–ĚýThe Cultural Center supports and offers programs that acknowledge and reflect the experiences of underrepresented populations. It also provides educational opportunities for all members of the campus community to examine their individual and group experiences within a culturally diverse society.
4. Ěý–ĚýThe counseling center offers services such as individual or group counseling, workshops, couples therapy, urgent consultations and psychiatric referrals. Some of the services are covered by student fees and do not require additional payment. The website also provides a list ofĚý
5. Ěý–ĚýThe Cardinal Station and Health Sciences Center (HSC) Campus Health Services (CHS) offices provide basic primary care including physical exams, immunizations, allergy shots, travel medicine, flu and COVID-19 shots, sexual health and contraception and more. CHS has an insurance advocate who assists students enrolled in the UofL student health insurance program.
6. Ěý–Ěý±«´Ç´Úł˘â€™sĚýĚýprovides community-building socials with other first-gen students, workshops and individual coaching. Participants can earn completion grants toward their UofL bill.ĚýĚýmatches first-generation, first-year students with faculty and staff for individual mentoring in theĚý.Ěý
7. Ěý–ĚýThe University Writing Center offers one-on-one or group consultations to both undergraduate and graduate students with a trained writing consultant. The center also provides a range of online resources.
8. Ěý–ĚýThis is where many students can find out about outside-the-classroom learning opportunities, whether they are work-related (internships, co-ops) or research-focused. The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) is an on-campus resource for UofL, the community and industry partners that helps Cardinals better prepare for academic and success.
9. Ěý–ĚýWhat’s going on today? You’ll find happenings from Belknap to HSC listed on the official UofL Event Calendar.
10. Ěý–ĚýThe ITS HelpDesk provides technology support to the Cardinal community. The ITS website features a Knowledge Base, Service Catalog and FAQ section with answers to questions like “What software is free for enrolled students?” and “What digital storage options are available?”

Several of these resources are sanctioned by UofL’s or the . The Office of Student Involvement is a hub for cultural, social and recreational programs, while the Student Success Center provides resources related to advising, academics, financial well-being and belonging.

According to the UofL Student Success Center, whether a student is in need of a laptop, exploring a new major, facing a financial barrier or simply looking for a peer who’s been there before, the SSC is the place to turn.

We urge you to explore the wide array of programs and activities at UofL. We’ll be here every step of the way!

The most noticeable changes are a new design, more intuitive navigation and a mobile-first approach that positions the school for greater success in an increasingly competitive higher education space.Ěý

“We’re a dynamic research university with many departments and moving parts,” said John Drees, vice president of communications & marketing. “With this interim homepage, we grappled with how we could elevate the website to match the experience we’ve provided our community for more thanĚý200 years.”Ěý

Three years of research and collaboration among the , the Office of Communications & Marketing (OCM), Information Technology Services (ITS) and informed all aspects of the interim homepage, including its design, content and information architecture.Ěý

By analyzing past user behavior and meeting with campus stakeholders, UofL and Mighty Citizen coordinated research efforts to better understand who uses the website and how. This past year, Mighty Citizen conducted interviews, focus groups and competitor and landscape analyses. Their findings informed decision making throughout the development process.Ěý

As a result, the new interim homepage prioritizes prospective audiences – especially students. It emphasizes major calls-to-action (i.e., apply and visit), improves pathways to key content and highlights the university’s academics, research and innovation and vibrant campus life.Ěý

Additionally, new audience-focused pages help current students, parents and families, faculty and staff and industry and community partners easily find the resources that are most relevant to them.

The tools that current students, faculty and staff use most often are highlighted within the Top Tools & Accounts menu, offering internal audiences quick access to resources like email, Ulink, Blackboard and WorkdayHR.

The methodical approach yielded key insights that will bolster UofL’s recruitment efforts by improving the user experience for our target audiences. The interim homepage uses techniques to align with user behavior and preferences of current and prospective students who primarily access the homepage on smartphones.Ěý

“The modern web user wants a clear path that meets their needs, and they want to get to their content in as few clicks as possible,” said Brad Anderson, ITS interim chief information officer. “And equally important, our research found that most of our site visitors, especially current and prospective students, were accessing our homepage from their phone.”Ěý

With these insights, the interim homepage paves the way for a digital experience that’s inclusive of all audiences, particularly prospective students who often have multiple schools to consider. It also makes it easier for faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community to find the resources they need.Ěý

“A website is the front door of an organization,” said Drees. “Visitors need to feel seen and welcomed. They want to know if UofL will help them achieve their goals. This interim homepage is an opportunity to do just that and support our broader strategic goal to be a great place to learn, discover, connect and work.”Ěý

The interim homepage is only the first step toward a more user-friendly digital experience across all of UofL’s websites. Web enhancements will continue to roll out over the next several academic cycles.ĚýĚý

For more information about the Web Improvement Project, see this list ofĚý

By Collin Overton, Office of Communications & MarketingĚý