UC leaders recognized for excellence in technology leadership
University of Cincinnati Vice President & Chief Digital Officer Bharath Prabhakaran was named a finalist in the nonprofit/public sector category for the National ORBIE Awards 2026, in rapid succession to last year’s nomination, where Prabhakaran was named the 2025 Ohio CIO Enterprise ORBIE winner.
This award recognizes Prabhakaran’s leadership excellence, his skill in bridging executives and trusted business partners, and his commitment to inspiring the next generation of leaders.
The ORBIE Awards are the premier technology executive recognition program in the United States. For more than 25 years, it has recognized technology executives for leadership, innovation, and excellence. Since 1998, more than 500 technology leaders have received the prestigious ORBIE Award. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-review process led by prior ORBIE recipients.
“This is a testament to the phenomenal and innovative work being done by the Digital Technology Solutions team in support of our digital transformation journey at the University of Cincinnati towards our Next Lives Here strategic direction,” said Prabhakaran.
Katrina Biscay.
UC Associate Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Katrina Biscay, who serves as a member of Prabhakaran’s leadership team, was named the 2026 Ohio ORBIE Award for Enterprise CISO of the Year.
"All credit is to the UC Office of Information Security team,” said Biscay. “They are the real superstars.”
Prabhakaran, Biscay, and the UC Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) team work to accelerate digital transformation across the university. DTS focuses on key initiatives that support excellence in IT operations, cybersecurity and resiliency, modernization, and innovation—pillars of UC’s ongoing digital transformation.
Digital Technology Solutions recently expanded access to BearcatGPT to all UC students, faculty, and staff. BearcatGPT is a university-wide AI tool designed to support a wide range of university needs in a secure, institutionally governed environment.
These accolades help demonstrate UC's position as a leader in digital innovation, student success, and the future of higher education, Prabhakaran said.
Featured image at top: Two people from the University of Cincinnati's Digital Technology Services were honored with Ohio ORBIE Awards for their contributions to technology leadership. Photo/Lisa Ventre/UC
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