Concordia’s chief information officer France Bigras announces her retirement for September 2023

France Bigras, Concordia’s vice-president of information and instructional technology services (IITS) and chief information officer, will be retiring on September 30 after more than 37 years working in the field of information technology. Bigras has been an essential part of the university’s administration, leading the department through a time of transformational change and innovation.

Bigras joined Concordia in September 2019 and quickly established herself as a visionary leader in IT. While at the university, she was instrumental in implementing new IT strategies to advance Concordia’s teaching and research objectives.

She also helped advance the university’s IT security infrastructure, ensuring that students, faculty and staff can safely access the university’s systems from anywhere in the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant challenge for Concordia, requiring the swift and successful implementation of remote learning and working capabilities for the entire university community. Under Bigras’s leadership, the IT department rose to the challenge, enabling a quick transition online, adapting to new issues as they arose without compromising IT security.

“Concordia is fortunate to have had a leader of France’s calibre,” says Michael Di Grappa, vice-president of services and sustainability. “She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the academic and research mission of the university, and her positive attitude, community spirit and dedication to collaboration have left an indelible mark on our university.”

‘An honour to work with such a talented and dedicated team’

Bigras has also been instrumental in implementing a renewed governance process, which allows for greater collaboration and connections between systems and better alignment with university priorities. This approach has resulted in the development of different ecosystems to better support the university’s academic and research mission.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at Concordia during my time here,” Bigras says. “It has been an honour to work with such a talented and dedicated team of professionals, and I am confident that the university will continue to thrive under its new leadership.”

Following her retirement, Bigras plans to spend more time with family and pursue personal interests, including travel and outdoor activities.

Leading up to her departure, the university will initiate a search for Bigras’s successor to ensure ample time for knowledge transfer and a smooth transition.

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