Strategic Leadership in a Tech-Driven World

Anthony Chow, Full Professor and Director, School of Information, San Jose State University

Dr. Anthony Chow is a Full Professor and Director of the School of Information at San José State University. An instructional technology expert and passionate advocate for equitable access to education, he blends strategic leadership with community engagement, advancing literacy, inclusion and innovation through academic initiatives and global partnerships.

A Journey Shaped by Innovation and Purpose

Although academic administration was never part of my original plan, I’ve found that when you work hard, develop expertise and perform well, leadership opportunities naturally arise. I’ve discovered that my strengths lie more in leadership— I’m energized by innovation, strategic thinking and building new opportunities rather than handling daily operations. I identify more as a “builder” than a “maintainer,” thriving in outward-facing roles focusing on vision, public engagement and long-term strategy. This complements our Associate Director's internal, day-to-day focus at the iSchool. When the opportunity to lead the School of Information at SJSU emerged, it aligned perfectly with my passion for innovation and my background in online education. Stepping into this role has allowed me to build on the school’s strengths while helping shape its future.

Leading Through Complexity and Connection

One of the most persistent leadership challenges I’ve faced is aligning institutional priorities with the expectations of the people I lead—a task that becomes especially complex during times of change. Over the years, I’ve learned that the qualities that lead to leadership—self-motivation and relentless work ethic—don’t necessarily make someone effective at leading others. True leadership requires understanding individuals’ strengths, adapting your vision to evolving institutional goals and maintaining open, transparent communication. Success demands a mindset open to ambiguity and continuous improvement, grounded in core values and a long-term perspective. Though difficult, leadership is deeply rewarding when it empowers others and drives meaningful, lasting impact.

Driving Strategic Growth and Global Engagement

Effective leadership requires anticipating future trends while honoring existing strengths, which has guided my approach as Director of the SJSU iSchool. I launched the Culture and Community Symposia to elevate diverse voices and reinforce our commitment to equity and inclusion and expanded our digital presence to better connect with our 3,500+ students across 11 countries. We’ve embraced emerging technologies like extended reality (XR) and browser-based VR to stay at the forefront of information science, much like we did with online asynchronous education. We've also strengthened our philanthropic projects, supported underserved communities and invested deeply in our faculty, staff and students. These efforts collectively position the iSchool as a forward-looking leader in innovation, inclusion and global impact.

“Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about service, vision and empowering others. When grounded in authenticity and purpose, even the toughest challenges become opportunities to build, connect and lead communities into a more inclusive, innovative and informationrich future”

Integrating Technology with Pedagogical Purpose

As an instructional technologist and UX expert, I believe integrating technology into education must begin with the user and be guided by how it can meaningfully enhance teaching, learning and information management. I use “GPS thinking”: start with clear learning outcomes and adaptively chart the best technological route to reach them. True innovation requires active engagement, continuous evaluation and a foundation in sound pedagogy and ethics. Tools like generative AI hold great promise but must be used carefully to avoid undermining essential cognitive processes like writing and critical thinking. Rather than banning such tools, we should teach students to use them ethically and strategically, ensuring that technology enhances—rather than replaces—the core values of education.

Mobilizing Communities through Literacy

Leadership is rooted in service—dedicating my time and expertise to causes aligned with my core values, such as my role as Vice-Chair of the Board for Little Free Library (LFL), a global initiative promoting community and equitable book access. As Director of the SJSU iSchool, I’ve extended this commitment through a special topics internship lab where graduate students earn credit while building sustainable book ecosystems in underserved communities worldwide. Though not required to teach, I lead this lab each week, fostering partnerships through a “triple win strategy”: students gain hands-on experience, organizations benefit from expanded capacity and communities receive vital educational resources. This model exemplifies how collaborative, purpose-driven leadership can create a lasting impact.

Lessons in Authentic, Purpose-Driven Leadership

As the son of Chinese immigrant parents, I’ve learned that true identity is shaped by our actions, not by others’ assumptions or stereotypes. Embracing authenticity can be challenging, often accompanied by self-doubt and imposter syndrome, but pushing through leads to profound empowerment. My advice to current and aspiring academic leaders is to stay grounded in your values, pursue growth and lead with data and heart. Balance strategic vision with operational support, nurture relationships inside and outside your institution and prioritize your well-being and those around you. In the end, I hope to look back and know I lived a life of purpose—doing my best and helping others along the way.

GPS

Cognitive