Patrick Laughran is an experienced technology executive, entrepreneur, and part-time faculty member at Northeastern University within the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Mr. Laughran brings experience from his career operating at the intersection of strategy, innovation, leadership, and technology commercialization to his teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses focused on information systems, data analytics, and digital transformation across diverse business contexts.
Mr. Laughran currently serves as Chief Information Officer at Framingham State University, where he leads the information technology services organization and strategic initiatives focused on information systems modernization, data services, and digital infrastructure in support of academic and administrative operations.
Prior to his current leadership role in higher education, he previously served as the founding Chief Technology Officer of WebCT, one of the pioneering learning management system platforms in higher education, which was later acquired in a transaction valued at approximately $180 million. He later served as founding Chief Technology Officer of TechTarget, which subsequently completed a successful public offering on NASDAQ.
Throughout his career, Mr. Laughran has led development of organizational, operational, and technological capabilities necessary to support enterprise-wide information systems, data analytics, digital media platforms, and technology-enabled business transformation initiatives. His professional interests include artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, data and analytics strategy, digital transformation, innovation management, cybersecurity, organizational change, and the evolving relationship between people and information systems.
Education
- MBA, Babson College
- BSBA in Management Information Systems, Northeastern University
- Executive Education Certification in Educational Management, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Executive Education Certification in Strategic Information Technology Management, Babson College
Teaching Approach
Mr. Laughran's teaching approach emphasizes the practical application of information technologies to real-world organizational challenges. Drawing upon decades of executive leadership and entrepreneurial experience, he integrates enduring principles with contemporary thought leadership and research into classroom discussions, case analyses, applied projects, group activities, and other assignments.
In courses like Business Information Design, Quality, and Strategy and Introduction to Information Systems and Digital Technologies, he encourages students to think critically about how organizations can leverage information and technology not only to improve operational performance, but also to shape strategy, enable innovation, monetize data, and support informed decision-making.
