The University of Utah has named its first chief data officer and vice provost of enterprise planning.
Ravneet Chadha, currently leading institutional research and data strategy at the University of Arizona, will assume the CDO position on March 17.
“We’re excited to establish this unique new role at the University of Utah,” said Jeff Labrum, the university’s chief operating officer. “Having an executive-level data and business analyst in place will help us better understand the current state of the institutio
n and guide us as we make thoughtful and strategic decisions about the future.”
As CDO, Chadha will oversee institutional data governance, analytics, privacy, and architecture, ensuring that the university’s data management systems are optimized to support strategic decision-making and operational excellence. His leadership will help advance the U’s commitment to data literacy and data-informed decision-making at all levels of the institution.
“The University of Utah is in a dynamic period of growth and change,” Chadha said. “I look forward to building on the exceptional work of the university’s institutional analytics and reporting (UAIR) team and strengthening the use of data to drive innovation and strategy.”
Chadha brings over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education data strategy, having spent his career at the University of Arizona, where he led the University Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR) office. Under his leadership, UAIR evolved into a central hub for institutional analytics, developing a suite of modern data tools and dashboards that support a community of 4,600 users conducting over 10 million analyses annually.
“Data wants to be free,” Chadha said. “We shouldn’t hoard information.” His vision emphasizes accessibility, transparency, and the power of data to drive meaningful impact in higher education.
Chadha holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Arizona. As he steps into this pivotal new role at Utah, his expertise will help elevate the university’s data strategy, enhance institutional planning, and drive a stronger data culture to support future growth and success.