When Patricia (Tricia) Clay first started at Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) as CIO five years ago, she lightheartedly described their technology as “advanced for 1995.” Since then, the school has been on a mission to implement online document management systems effectively. In her conversation with eCampus News, she emphasizes the need to streamline processes, reduce unnecessary data collection, and encourage user adoption of digital tools. Click through for a listen and scroll down for some major takeaways from the interview.
1) Historical Perspective: Tricia draws parallels between the challenges faced by colleges transitioning to paperless campuses and the historical concept of the “paperless office,” highlighting the complexities involved in eliminating paper entirely.
2) Digital Workflow Benefits: Tricia emphasizes that while complete paper elimination may be challenging in education, the administrative side of colleges can greatly benefit from digital workflows, improving efficiency and processes.
3) Technology Selection and Alignment: Tricia underscores the importance of aligning technology choices with institutional goals, emphasizing the need to consider resource constraints and encouraging collaboration among staff for effective implementation of electronic systems.
4) Security and Privacy: Tricia highlights the significance of maintaining security and privacy in digital processes, particularly in public institutions like Hudson County Community College, and the role of technology in ensuring compliance.
5) Future Vision: Tricia envisions a future where students can effortlessly navigate administrative tasks using digital platforms, expressing her hope for a user-friendly experience that simplifies tasks such as registration, fee payments, and major changes while reducing the need for extensive human assistance.
