RBC Welcomes New Chief Information, Strategy & Innovation Officer

President Debbie Sydow has named Dr. Kenneth LaTessa as the Chief Information, Strategy & Innovation Officer at Richard Bland College of William & Mary. LaTessa brings more than 15 years of diversified experience in database and software architecture, business intelligence, and management to the College.

“Richard Bland College is an emerging higher education leader in the use of predictive analytics to improve student success, and Dr. LaTessa’s knowledge and skills will prove invaluable in advancing the College’s goal of 100% student success,” said Dr. Debbie Sydow, RBC President.

Previously, Dr. LaTessa served as the Chief Information Officer at the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. “I have been in the higher education space for a long time,” LaTessa said. “Being able to change the lives of students through technology was a big draw for me in coming to Richard Bland College.”

Prior to joining NRCCUA, LaTessa was the Director of Technology Services at Premier Studios in Lenexa, Kansas (2004-09) and the Senior Development Manager at Westwood, Kansas-based Datacore Marketing (2000-2004). He served as faculty in chemistry at Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX), Stephens College (Columba, MO), the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO) and Johnson County Community College (Overland Park, KS).

Dr. LaTessa received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Sam Houston State University in 1990, his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Kansas and in 1994 and was a postdoctoral fellow at The Ohio State University (1994-95).

He lives in Chesterfield County with his wife Laurie and their six children.