FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University announces that Shirley Canaan of Stratford has assumed the role of vice president of information technology.
Canaan has a long history in the University’s IT Department. She began as a programmer analyst in 1986 and moved up through the ranks. Throughout her 32 years at SHU, she implemented the first centralized student information system and took responsibility for the University’s Laptop Mobile Computing program and all its services, such as leasing, imaging, refreshing and providing technical support. She also helped establish and run a student-operated call center known today as The Factory.
Most recently, Canaan served as director of administrative computing, with responsibility for supporting more than 100 applications, mobile computing services, technical support areas at four locations, database administration, program development, data warehousing and operational reporting.
During her tenure, Canaan has participated in many planning committees. She oversaw the installation and upgrades of technology at SHU’s Great River Golf Club in Milford and has led the St. Vincent’s College at SHU initiative.
Canaan earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in business from SHU.
“We are happy to promote Shirley to vice president of information technology,” said David Coppola, senior vice president for administration and planning. “Not only is she a loyal employee, she has grown and developed during her time here and established technological improvements that have made us all more productive. This is a natural progression for Shirley, and we are proud of her accomplishments.”
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About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus, which is located about an hour from Manhattan and 2.5 hours from Boston. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 8,500 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business; Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, yet at the same time develops students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives and professions and in their communities. A spirit of service, entrepreneurship and social justice is the essence of who we are and can be seen inside and outside the classroom as students learn how to make a difference far beyond Fairfield. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 384 Colleges–2019 Edition, “Best in the Northeast” and Best 267 Business Schools–2018 Edition. It also placed SHU on its lists for “Happiest Students” and “Most Engaged in Community Service,” each of which comprises only 20 U.S. schools. Sacred Heart has a Division I athletics program. www.sacredheart.edu