Our CIO

Dr. Michael H. Hites

Michael H. Hites, Ph.D

Michael H. Hites, Ph.D., an executive with over 25 years of experience leading large-scale computing operations for university-based research and innovation, joined Southern Methodist University in 2017.

Dr Hites is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Lyle School of Engineering.  His interests are data science, high performance computing, engineering experiments and the application of data visualization at scale.

Hites began his career at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago in 1996, where he served as assistant to the dean for computing (1996-97), assistant dean for computing and research assistant professor (1997-98), and director, Computing and Network Services (1998-2000). He also served as chief technology officer from 2000-03.

He continued his career at New Mexico State University (NMSU) from 2003-08, starting as vice provost for information and technology services and CIO (2003-06). As vice president for planning and IT and CIO from 2006-08, he worked with deans, directors, students, faculty, executive leadership, and the Board of Regents to plan, implement and measure IT programs and services across NMSU’s five-campus system, as well as assisting other governmental and educational entities in New Mexico.

His 10-year career with the University of Illinois System included service as executive CIO (2011-12) and associate vice president for administrative IT services (2008-12).

As Chief Information Officer, Dr Hites leads the Office of Information Technology, including the Academic Technology, Infrastructure, Applications Support, Project Management, Customer Service, and Information Security teams. In addition, Hites will oversee the University’s high-performance computing initiatives, foster research, improve interdisciplinary education, and partner with the city of Dallas.

Hites received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1989. He earned an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992 and his Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1997.