A Human-Centric Approach to IT Management

Don Ehrenhaft Jr. (MSIT '25) was promoted to police records management systems manager for Illinois' DuPage County in February 2023. It was his first information technology leadership role.

Less than a year later, he found himself in a classroom, ready to begin Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program. He was drawn to MSIT because of its unique perspective on leadership through a technology lens. 

"Many of the skills I was picking up in the program were immediately applicable," Ehrenhaft said. "During each quarter, I have been able to identify and utilize something that I have learned to solve real-world problems." 

Most recently, those lessons came from the program's IT Management Topics course that focused on the human side of managing projects. The class addressed economical, technological, managerial, and organizational aspects of project portfolio management. 

Part of the coursework included taking self-assessment tests and other forms of self reflection. Ehrenhaft appreciated "The 6 Types of Working Genius" model so much that he immediately introduced it to his team at work. 

"It inspired some deep, engaging conversation about each of us individually and how we interact," he said. "It’s too early to tell what impact it will have on our day-to-day lives, but it was an excellent team-building exercise." 

Nikhila Yeturi (MSIT '24) also saw the value of understanding how individuals work alone and in a team. During the IT Management Topics, she and her classmates worked on a case study where she evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of team members to build a more efficient and collaborative environment. 

By analyzing and understanding each person's abilities, Yeturi was able to create a more cohesive team that accomplished organizational goals while also functioning in a motivating workspace. 

"I enjoyed understanding how to identify challenges within the team and guide them toward collaborative solutions," Yeturi said. "It was fascinating to see how analyzing team dynamics and addressing gaps could foster innovation and improved outcomes." 

Like Ehrenhaft, Yeturi also brought her newfound knowledge out of the classroom and into the workplace. Yeturi, a quantum machine learning scientist at Florence Quantum Labs, spoke with her manager about the most important lessons she took away from the course.  

"What stood out most was the emphasis on empathy, communication, and understanding individual strengths and challenges within a team," she said. "I learned that managing projects isn’t just about delivering results or meeting deadlines — it’s about fostering collaboration, building trust, and creating an environment where team members feel valued and motivated." 

The goal of the course is to help students learn how to become better technology managers. Hang Zhou (MSIT '25) said that mission was certainly accomplished. 

Courses like IT Management Topics were why Zhou turned to MSIT. Yes, he wanted to reinforce his technical knowledge, but he also wanted to develop his management abilities.  

"The MSIT program helps me build a unique competitive advantage with proficiency in both technology and management," he said. "As an engineer aspiring to advance in technical leadership, I find the MSIT program's curriculum flexibility and management perspective irreplaceable. It not only helps technical professionals broaden their horizons but also builds a bridge toward higher management positions."