Dennis A. Trinkle - an award-winning and internationally recognized expert on information technology, higher education, and economic development -- has been selected to serve as the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System's (IHETS) new executive director. Dr. Trinkle comes to his new post from Valparaiso University, where he served as the institution's inaugural Chief Information Officer and was recognized by CIO magazine as one of the "CIO 100" for 2007.
Established in 1967, IHETS is a consortium of higher education institutions in Indiana comprised of seven major public colleges and universities, 31 independent colleges and several affiliate members including state government, K-12 education, public libraries, and public broadcast stations. IHETS' mission is to advance the education, research and public service activities of its member institutions and affiliates by offering and coordinating technology and e-learning services. IHETS provides a vital forum for interaction, collaboration, and sharing among its members and affiliates. IHETS also provides oversight for the I-Light fiber optic network.
Trinkle has served both leading public and private colleges and universities as a faculty member and senior administrator, including the University of Cincinnati, the University of Indianapolis, DePauw University, and Valparaiso University. He has also lead information technology, marketing, and venture capital enterprises in Indiana and Ohio.
Trinkle is the former Executive Director of the American Association for History and Computing. He has been a Fellow of the Frye Leadership Institute and International Center for Computer-Enhanced Learning at Wake Forest University. He has served on numerous corporate and non-profit Boards, including Tri-State University, College Mentors for Kids, Opelin Corporation, eLrn, Askahistorian.com, Student Advantage, and the Gale Group. He co-chairs the Educause Constituent Group on Change Leadership, and he publishes and speaks widely on technology, teaching and learning, and IT planning and management. The author or editor of more than a dozen books, his recent works include: The Elements of e-Style: A Multimedia Style Guide; The History Highway: A Guide to Internet Resources; Writing, Teaching, and Researching History in the Electronic Age; and History.Edu: Essays on Teaching with Technology.
For his leadership and innovation, Trinkle has received numerous honors and awards, including the EDUCAUSE Award for Systemic Progress in Teaching and Learning, the TechPoint Mira Award, and recognition by the Innovators' Society of Northwestern Indiana.
"Dennis Trinkle is a widely recognized leader and innovator. He fully understands the opportunities and challenges facing Indiana and higher education today, and he has a compelling vision for the future of IHETS, stated Jeff Pittman, Chair of the IHETS Board of Directors. "Dr. Trinkle will be a superb executive director for IHETS as it moves forward, and the Board is pleased to name him as chief executive."
Trinkle received his B.A. from DePauw University; his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati; and his M.B.A. in Marketing and Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.