James DeVaney and the Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan are no strangers to this community. James holds many titles at UM, including special advisor to the president, associate vice president for academic innovation and founding executive director of the Center for Academic Innovation. Today, I’m talking to James about the new leadership role he’s filling at CAI, that of chief education solutions officer.
Question: What is the purpose of the university with this role? How does compliance help advance the university’s strategic priorities?
A: First, thank you for the opportunity to share more about this exciting new position. I am excited about the power of this role and the opportunity to welcome a new colleague to the Center for Academic Innovation—a wonderful organization that I care deeply about—who will join us in shaping the future of education.
The first education solutions officer (CESO) is central to CAI’s mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong learning opportunities for students everywhere. By helping CAI deliver student-centered, research-driven, innovative and sustainable offerings, CESO will directly support the University of Michigan’s Vision 2034, particularly in the area of ​​life-changing educational impact.
This role is designed for a dynamic leader who is ready to solve organizational learning and employee development challenges while driving growth through innovative, impactful solutions. By building innovative and sustainable educational models, CESO will ensure that UM remains at the forefront of lifelong learning and talent development worldwide.
CESO is not just about implementing current strategies—it is a leadership role charged with helping create a bold new approach to education. By addressing emerging trends such as workforce transformation, AI and the growing need for skills development, this role will help students and organizations succeed in a rapidly evolving world. CESO’s work will empower students and position UM as a leader in educational innovation for generations to come.
Question: Where does the role sit within the structure of the university? How will the person in this role interact with other units and leaders across campus?
A: The CESO will report directly to me in my role as the founding executive director of the Center for Academic Innovation and will be a key additional member of the senior leadership team at CAI. This role is at the intersection of academic innovation, strategic partnerships and business development, ensuring seamless collaboration between external stakeholders and CAI’s internal teams.
CESO will work closely with units that already work with industry and federal partners as well as schools and colleges across institutions expanding their reach through new programs and initiatives. Through this partnership, CESO will help identify and deliver innovative solutions to meet workforce development needs and support ongoing partnerships with organizations seeking to support their current and future workforce in a rapidly changing economy.
For example, CESO may work with the school to design a custom program for industry partners, collaborate with campus-wide units to increase UM’s impact in key markets, help the organization more effectively use Michigan Online offerings or integrate CAI’s technology into a new one. programs that benefit students and organizations alike. This role is about connecting ideas, people and resources to drive impact. By combining CAI’s innovative strengths with the needs of its partners, CESO ensures that UM’s resources create transformative effects both on campus and beyond.
Question: What would success look like in one year? Three years? Over here?
A: Success in this role is all about creating momentum—whether it’s building early partnerships, driving measurable growth or laying the groundwork for transformational initiatives. Here’s what we think of each stage of the journey:
In one year: CESO will have established a solid foundation for growth by building early relationships with industry leaders, meeting key growth goals and launching startup programs that bring in a limited number of students and organizations. This first year is about setting the stage—building relationships, aligning CAI’s capabilities with external needs and creating momentum for the future. Importantly, CESO will work alongside a truly talented leadership team. The first year is also about creating strong connections in this group, building trust and finding ways to support each other.
In three years: CESO will have scaled CAI’s impact, with a portfolio of partnerships that demonstrate innovative, sustainable approaches to workforce development and lifelong learning. Inside, we will see simple systems for managing partnerships, delivering programs and providing exemplary relationship support. Externally, CAI will be recognized as a trusted leader in educational solutions that address real-world challenges with highly relevant programs that build upon a breadth of interdisciplinary excellence.
Three years later: Long-term success means driving innovation in education—at both the individual and organizational levels. CESO’s work will deepen CAI’s reputation for empowering students everywhere while also positioning UM as a leader in lifelong learning and workforce development. The legacy of this role will be an ecosystem of collaborations and programs that inspire and develop students around the world.
At all levels, success in this role is about creating meaningful, lasting impact on students and colleagues. That said, I’m looking to hire a colleague who will not only embrace this idea of ​​success but challenge it—pushing us to explore undefined possibilities and reach unimagined heights.
Question: What future roles will the person taking this position be prepared for?
A: The CESO role is an incredible opportunity for someone looking to further their career in business development, partnership leadership or workforce development—either in higher education or related industries.
This role provides hands-on experience managing high-impact partnerships, driving revenue growth and designing innovative learning solutions for diverse audiences. It is a unique combination of strategic thinking, relationship management and academic innovation that builds a strong foundation for future leadership roles.
The skills developed in this position—including lifelong learning expertise, workforce transformation and sustainable business growth—are highly transferable to roles in academia, industry or even global organizations. Whether leading similar programs at another institution or shaping workforce strategies for a global enterprise, a CESO will leave this role with the tools to make an even greater impact.
This position develops critical leadership skills, such as building trust with stakeholders, navigating complex organizational challenges and creating scalable solutions. It is the perfect launching pad for people ready to shape the future of education at the intersection of academia and industry.
Joining this group means entering a healthy, forward-thinking environment where your contributions will be valued, your ideas will have impact and you will have the space to grow, innovate and make a real difference.
I’m so excited to welcome a new colleague to our team—is that you?
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