One of the keys to success for CIOs in higher education is their network of alliances and partnerships with other campus leaders. Through these relationships the CIO is in a much better position to meet the institution’s objectives and to help lead the institution forward than by trying to go it alone. Just think, for example, about the onerous task of trying to justify additional staff for the IT department; unless there is a solid understanding among the budget deciders that the IT staff is there only to provide service to others, the CIO could well be seen simply as an empire builder.