Maggie Beers, Associate CIO for Education at UCSF, is on a mission to transform the educational technology landscape. Since joining in 2022, Maggie has been building the first UCSF IT team fully dedicated to supporting the education mission. “We are putting in place the systems, applications and services to provide UCSF’s educational programs with an optimal educational technology environment,” she shares. Her work centers on meeting accreditation standards, evolving pedagogy, and most importantly, delighting learners through intuitive and inclusive experiences.
Growing up in Silicon Valley, Maggie didn’t always see herself in tech—until she encountered Janet Murray’s Hamlet on the Holodeck. “She humanized the field for me by showing the potential of new computer formats for storytelling,” Maggie says. That perspective opened doors to a tech career that didn’t require fitting into the classic mold of a computer engineer. Today, Maggie sees artificial intelligence bringing us full circle—back to storytelling, a fundamental human activity.
Looking ahead, Maggie is energized by UCSF’s ambitious digital transformation, especially the rollout of “The Big Four” core education systems: Student Information, Learning Management, Curriculum Management, and Customer Relationship Management. “These systems will support interprofessional education across the schools and programs and provide our learners, faculty, and staff with the data they need to make critical decisions,” she explains. It’s all about enabling smarter choices, meeting accreditation requirements, and—yes—telling the stories of our learners.
When it comes to career growth, Maggie offers this sage advice: “What got you here won’t get you there.” Her recommendation? Develop three five-year plans—personal, professional, and family—and be ready to pivot. “Opportunities rarely present themselves at the right time,” she notes. “But if you know where you’re headed, and you develop the personal and professional skills you need to get there, you’ll recognize and seize them when they do.” Wise words from a true storyteller in tech.
Photo below: Maggie enjoys rowing wooden boats on the SF Bay and racing shells on Lake Merced.
