After a national search, Donald Welch, Ph.D. has been selected as the University of Michigan chief information security officer (CISO). He assumes his position on April 1, 2015.
As CISO, Don will lead all of U-M’s information security program, including Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint, and the Health System. He will work in partnership with university leaders and the IT community to better address cyber threat and protect the university’s information assets.
Don’s background includes executive positions in a wide range of industries, including retail, pharmacy, manufacturing, transportation, and IT services. Since 2006, Don was the president and CEO of Merit Network, a nonprofit organization governed by Michigan's public universities that provides a research and education network computer and related services. Don has been a leader in many national higher education organizations, including the Michigan Governor's Cyber Security Advisory Council and the higher education cybersecurity advisory council to the FBI. In addition, Don was CIO and taught on the faculty at West Point, where he started the Academy's information security program.
Don holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, a Master of Science in Computer Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. Don served in the U.S Army for 25 years, attaining the rank of Colonel and earning the Legion of Merit for his service.