Pictured from left to right: Aleksandar Kosoric, Joe Thomas and Dan Hyde
Northern Illinois University has named Joe Thomas, associate director for information technology at University Libraries, a co-recipient of the Advancing Creativity and Innovation Award.
The award recognizes up to one staff member or team each year. Recipients demonstrate excellence in proposing or implementing new or improved processes, methods, systems, or services. Their efforts must show greater efficiency, effectiveness, or cost savings. They must also advance shared leadership goals.
During the 2025-26 academic year, Thomas worked with Aleksandar Kosoric, director of information technology for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dan Hyde, information technology manager for the College of Education. Together, they developed a plan to move classroom technology support from the Division of Information Technology to the Division of Academic Affairs.
The team challenged longstanding assumptions about how classroom technology support should be provided. Historically, Academic Affairs technology staff supported only their own colleges, while the Division of Information Technology primarily handled classroom technology support. The team’s new model created a shared, university-wide approach in which Academic Affairs Information Technology (AATS) staff provided classroom support to faculty across all departments. Through their leadership, the team strengthened the university’s educational mission and demonstrated NIU’s core values of service, stewardship, and commitment to students.
“This work was added on top of existing responsibilities, and it launched during the busiest and most challenging time of the academic year (the start of the fall semester),” said Stephanie Richter, director of Teaching Excellence and Support. “Despite these pressures, the team navigated the transition with remarkable skill and professionalism.”
“The AATS Core Team’s enthusiasm, expertise, and collaboration have established a new benchmark for shared services within the university,” said nominator Celeste Latham, associate vice president for Resources and Facilities. “Their efforts represent a model of innovation in academic information technology at the higher education level, and their achievements are a testament to their dedication.”
