VP of Information Technology announces retirement

Jim Bujaki, vice president of information technology and chief information officer at Central Michigan University, has announced his plans to retire in late spring.

"Serving this university has been one of the great privileges of my career,” Bujaki said. “Our institution’s mission and vision have always given purpose to the work we do in technology. I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to this chapter and look forward to seeing the university’s continued progress.”

Bujaki joined the CMU community in May 2020 and immediately played a key role in helping the university respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the Office of Information Technology team, Bujaki led the installation of audio-visual technology in more than 400 locations across campus, allowing CMU to transition between in-person and online learning modalities. In addition, OIT upgraded hundreds of computers, projectors, visualizers, televisions, cameras and control systems to enhance teaching and learning.

In addition, Bujaki helped to develop and implement the CMU COVID Health Screening App, a mobile technology that enabled students, faculty and staff to update their vaccination or test results and to self-report their daily health status.

In recognition of this work and its resulting impact on the university community, the Academic Senate adopted a resolution commending OIT for its service.

"I am immensely proud of our team’s response during the pandemic and the actions we took to quickly develop, deploy and support the technology that supported the university-wide response,” Bujaki said.

In addition, on CMU’s campus, Bujaki led efforts that:

• Enhanced both wired and wireless network services for the full campus, providing more reliable and higher-speed connectivity to CMU. This involved replacing nearly 70% of the university’s existing network hardware and significantly modernizing network infrastructure in just one year.
• Implemented Multi-Factor Authentication for all CMU students, faculty and staff, including migration to Duo Verified Push, to improve overall cybersecurity protections for CMU.
• Supported the creation of the University Transformation Office by leveraging OIT staff expertise in project and change management.

Bujaki’s work also led to benefits for CMU stakeholders beyond campus. These included:

• Improving telehealth broadband access in rural Michigan communities as the principal investigator on a $625,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Partnering with CMU’s Rural Health Excellence Institute, OIT contributed to the development and testing of broadband devices and in the deployment of more than 100 units throughout rural communities in the state.
• Providing simplified and secured access to the global worldwide educational roaming wireless service, called eduroam. This enhancement allows students, faculty and staff to safely and securely connect to wireless internet from more than 3,000 U.S.-based institutions and an additional 38,000 places worldwide.

“Jim’s leadership propelled CMU forward with important, sustainable improvements to our technology infrastructure. His work, and the work of his team, has positively affected every aspect of university operations, from enhanced teaching and learning to greater internet access, security and stability,” said CMU President Neil MacKinnon. 

Bujaki will step down May 31, 2026. MacKinnon has named Eric Whitmore to serve as interim vice president of the Office of Information Technology while the university prepares for a national search.

“As the university prepares for significant technology transformation in the coming years, I am confident it will do so from a position of strength,” Bujaki said. “The team within the Office of Information Technology consistently demonstrate incredible professionalism, expertise, commitment to service and resilience. I know I will be leaving the institution in very capable hands.”