UM News

Theresa Semmens

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (June 17, 2017)—Bringing a wealth of strategic cybersecurity expertise, Theresa Semmens joins the University of Miami as its chief information security officer (CISO) and assistant vice president, effective June 19.

As a member of University of Miami Information Technology’s (UMIT’s) Executive Cabinet, Semmens will work closely with senior administration, academic leaders, health system leaders, and the University community to optimize UM’s information technology security.

“Theresa brings strategic leadership to UMIT during our ongoing work to enhance our cybersecurity posture,” said Steve Cawley, vice president for information technology and chief information officer. “We’re looking forward to her being a leader who will have a positive impact on our University and information technology as a whole.”

As an advocate for UM’s information security needs, Semmens will be responsible for the development of a comprehensive information security strategy and a security program that leverages collaborations and university-wide resources, facilitates information security governance, advises senior leadership on security direction and resource investments, and designs appropriate policies to manage information security risk.

Semmens joins UM from North Dakota State University (NDSU), where she served as its CISO. There, she was responsible for creating, coordinating, and evaluating processes to build an information security vision and strategy, which included security policies, procedures and risk management, and assessment. At NDSU, she also reviewed contracts, software and service licenses, and agreements that contained IT components of security and regulatory compliance—in particular evaluating matters related to HIPPA, FERPA, GLBA, and applicable protection of information and privacy laws.

Semmens holds two master’s degrees, one in business administration and another in management, from the University of Mary in North Dakota.