College’s new IT Director brings experience, enthusiasm to role

Okanagan College Media Release

Laura Eagen is looking forward to landing in the Okanagan to take over her new job as the College’s Director of Information Technology Services.

She’s worked in Ireland, Newfoundland and Ottawa over the course of the last three decades, and brings with her extensive experience in a number of different scenarios. Most recently, she has been Chief Information Officer for Newfoundland Liquor. Before that was head of Strategic Development for the Bank of Ireland.

“I’m eager to immerse myself in the post-secondary environment,” she said. “Information Technology has always been an integral part of the education system, but from the business side of the equation to the classroom and to educational delivery, it is becoming increasingly critical. Okanagan College has a deserved reputation for leadership in post-secondary, and I’m hoping to help further bolster that.”

“Laura’s breadth of experience and her demonstrated capacity for innovation and for strategic development impressed us,” explained Bob Eby, Okanagan College’s Vice-President of Finance and Administration.

Eagen will replace retiring IT Director Dave Harris, who wraps his career with Okanagan College in December after almost 25 years as an employee. His history with the college, though, goes further than that. Dave’s relationship with Okanagan College began in the late 1960s when the computer business he worked at took on the College as a client, printing class lists from punched cards.

Eagen starts work in January.