High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A chief information officer in higher education is the chief information officer or CIO position in higher education represents the highest-ranking information technology administrator/officer in higher education institutions. However, the title of the highest-ranking technology position may not necessarily be called a CIO at all institutions. The title of CIO, which is often coupled with Vice President/Vice Chancellor of information technology, is primarily used at doctoral/research institutions, while the titles of Director or Dean are more common at the other five types of Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education; MA I, MA II, BA Liberal Arts, BA General, and AA. In addition, the CIO title used at different institutions may represent unique positions with differing roles and responsibilities. Ultimately, there is no one definition for a CIO; it has a variety of meanings, functions, areas of purview, reporting structures, and required qualifications.