Office of the CIO

Photo of Tony Opheim Vice President & Chief Information Officer Information Technology Services

TONY OPHEIM

Vice President & Chief Information Officer
509-335-5016
tony.opheim@wsu.edu

With over 30 years of higher education information technology experience at public, land-grant universities, Tony serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Washington State University. Tony’s career began at the University of Idaho where he served for 22 years. In 2012, he joined Washington State University as Associate VP and Deputy CIO and served as Interim VP and CIO from February 2023 until his current appointment of VP and CIO, effective August 1, 2023.

As VP and CIO, Tony is responsible for WSU’s systemwide information technology systems and services and collaborates with stakeholders across the university to advance WSU’s mission, vision, and values. His work effectively promotes an enhanced infrastructure and technology planning process that supports WSU’s growth. Tony aspires to be a leader, coach, mentor, and collaborator and believes in “leadership by example, management by process.”

Opheim received his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Idaho where he also taught for seven years and served on various advisory boards, including the Idaho Regional Optical Network and Pacific Northwest Gigapop.

When not in his office, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, traveling and formula car racing!

Sue Gilchrist Assistant to VP & CIO

SUE GILCHRIST

Assistant to VP & CIO
509-335-8017
sue.gilchrist@wsu.edu

Sue Gilchrist is a native to Pullman, Washington. Sue joined the WSU community in 2012 as an administrative assistant for Dean’s Office in Carson College of Business. Sue moved to Native American Programs in the Office of the Provost in a principal assistant role. In 2018, Sue joined ITS as Assistant to VP and CIO.

Sue serves on the Administrative Professional Advisory Council and has held Treasurer, Vice Chair and Past Vice Chair Executive Committee positions.

Carrie Johnson Executive Director Administration & Financial Services

CARRIE JOHNSON

Executive Director Administration & Financial Services
509-335-1790
c.johnson@wsu.edu

Carrie Johnson serves as Executive Director for ITS’ Administration and Financial Services team. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from WSU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Finance before starting a successful business, working in a Fortune 50 company, and ultimately joining WSU. She also holds a master’s in Business Management and Leadership.

As a lifelong Coug, Carrie’s experience both in and outside of higher education are beneficial to ITS’ commitment to the OneWSU initiative and furthering WSU’s technology and information security capabilities in the years to come.

Prior to joining ITS, Carrie worked most recently as Area Finance Officer for University Marketing and Communications.

Jacqueline Southwick Director Systems Communication & Customer Experience

JACQUELINE SOUTHWICK

Director, Systems Communication & Customer Experience
509-335-4357
jsouthwick@wsu.edu

Jacqueline leads ITS systems communications and customer experience teams supporting stakeholder relations across the university through communications and customer support.

Prior to joining WSU in 2012, she spent her earlier career working in the private sector supporting marketing, communications and general business management for both non-profit and privately held companies.

Jacqueline holds a master’s degree from WSU in strategic communications and has earned multiple awards throughout her career for her contributions to positive customer experience.

Michael Walters Interim CISO/Information Security Services (ISS)

MICHAEL WALTERS

Interim CISO/Information Security Services (ISS)
509-335-1597
michael.walters@wsu.edu

Michael Walters serves as Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Washington State University.

Michael joined the WSU team in 2013 as an ITS Manager – Voice and Data Systems. Upon completion of his graduate degree in 2015, Michael moved to the Information Security Services team as Manager – Security Operations where he was instrumental in working alongside leadership to build the “best-in-class” security operations team. He was later promoted to the Deputy CISO role. In July 2022 Michael was promoted to his current position of Assistant Vice President and CISO.

Prior to WSU, Michael served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years in multiple information security and technology management positions. Michael holds various industry-recognized information technology and security certifications, as well as a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Thomas Edison State University and a M.S. in Information Security Assurance from Western Governors University.