In this episode of Bytes of Experience, Bo and Dana sit down with Darren Schell, Associate VP Information Technology (a.k.a. CIO) at the University of Lethbridge and a graduate of the CUCCIO Leadership Development Program (LDP). Darren brings a grounded, practical perspective shaped by 24 years at a midsize university — from his early days in the Registrar’s Office to becoming Associate VP Information Technology. We explore Darren’s leadership journey, what drew him to the LDP, and the lessons that reshaped how he leads. Darren reflects on the realities of influence in higher ed, the power of storytelling, the challenge of simplifying complexity, and the importance of understanding how people actually use technology — not how IT assumes they do. He also shares candid insights about collegial governance, ERP modernization, and the unique leadership demands of smaller institutions. Book Recommendation: Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by David Marquet

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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