IT Leadership Spotlight: Sravi Garikipati, associate director, Digital Research & Operations, University Marketing & Communications

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Hyderabad, a vibrant city in South India.

What post-secondary degrees or certifications do you have?

I earned my bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering in India. I then moved to the United States to pursue my master’s in computer science at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I specialized in software engineering and user experience (UX).

What led you to the University of Utah?

My passion for higher ed began during graduate school, where I worked as a web developer for the Finance and Real Estate Department at the University of Texas. I loved collaborating with professors to highlight their research. A pivotal moment for me was leading a team to build a financial literacy platform for children; that project taught me how technology could amplify education.

After graduating, I joined the IT department at the University of Virginia, working on many amazing projects like brain research and international studies. However, a family trip to Disney World changed my trajectory. I bought the book “Creativity, Inc.,” which is co-authored by Ed Catmull. When I discovered he was a University of Utah alumnus, I looked up the university, found an opening with UMC Digital as a senior UX developer, and have been with the U ever since.

Can you describe the path you took to IT leadership?

I am just getting started! My journey into leadership is still unfolding, and I view it as a continuous learning process.

How would you describe your leadership style and philosophy?

I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words. My philosophy centers on open communication — I always encourage my team members to ask for what they need. I believe every individual is gifted in unique ways; my responsibility as a leader is to identify those strengths and help team members hone their skills in a way that aligns with what they love to do.

What do you enjoy most about your role at the U?

Definitely the people. I genuinely love our team at UMC: it feels like a family.

What are some of your hobbies?

Outside of my work at the U, I am a composer. I love creating music across various genres and have scored music for films and TV series in India. My music website.

Is there a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

My two worlds have actually collided — I had the opportunity to score the background music for a couple of the University of Utah’s TV commercials.

• The University of Utah, Where Vision Meets the Mountains
• Utah Fresh

 

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