Jeff Rubin ’95 has spent decades building technology systems designed to scale. From founding SIDEARM Sports into one of the most widely used digital platforms in college athletics to now serving as Syracuse University’s first Senior Vice President for Digital Transformation and Chief Digital Officer, his career has centered on one question: how can technology fundamentally improve the way organizations operate? Rubin joined the Infoversity podcast to discuss Syracuse University’s digital future, the evolving role of AI in higher education, and why connectivity, data, and artificial intelligence are increasingly inseparable. A two-time iSchool alumnus, Rubin reflected on how the School of Information Studies prepared him not just to work in technology, but to adapt alongside it. “One thing the iSchool gave me was the ability to transition with technology and not be afraid of change,” he said. That mindset has shaped his approach to digital transformation at Syracuse. For Rubin, digital transformation is not simply about adopting new tools. It is about rethinking how students, faculty, staff, and alumni interact with the university at every level, from campus tours and financial aid to data strategy and classroom experiences. “Digitally, we have a chance to be a leader in this space,” he explained.
