Kevin Pannell appointed director, IT project management office

Kevin Pannell has joined the Division of Information Technology as the director of the IT project management office (PMO). He began his role on June 29. In this position, Pannell leads efforts to align IT projects with the university’s strategic priorities, strengthen governance and best practices, and ensure efficient and effective project delivery across campus. Pannell will collaborate closely with university leaders and IT stakeholders to improve cross-campus coordination, guide major initiatives, and support organizational and technology advancements.

“I’m excited to build relationships, support our teams, and continue developing a PMO that is  focused on people first, with processes that are aligned to enable progress together,” said Pannell. “My goal is to help create transparency, predictability, and successful outcomes that support the university's mission and the students, faculty, and staff we serve.”

Pannell brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, public safety, emergency management, military service, and enterprise technology. Most recently, he served as IT PMO manager for the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.

“Kevin’s practical experience with people, processes, and tools is exactly what we need as we move the IT Project Management Office towards the next level of maturity and provide deeper insights into IT projects occurring across the institution,” said Kyle Johnson, associate vice president for IT governance, planning, and strategy.

Pannell earned his Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also holds several professional certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), SAFe Agilist, and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner.