SHU Hires New Leader for Data Infrastructure

Former data architect returns to SHU, a community he ‘considers family’

Patrick Palaka, of Shelton, has taken on a role as executive director of data infrastructure for Sacred Heart University’s information technology department.

His team is responsible for designing and implementing data models, applications and interfaces used for data integration, reporting and data analytics. “I’ll be continuously investigating new technologies to enhance our current data infrastructure,” Palaka said.

The department is planning to migrate SHU’s data warehouse and databases to the cloud, which will reduce maintenance and improve performance of data pipelines. “Ultimately, we are looking to provide data solutions that support the University’s strategic goals,” said Palaka.

Palaka has worked in the data field for 19 years, with experience in the private sector, corporate IT and higher education. Most recently, he worked as a staff data engineer at Lockheed Martin in the data analytics innovations group, where his primary focus was on data integration and analysis for global, commercial and military systems. Palaka worked at SHU between 2011 and 2020 prior to joining Lockheed.

Palaka said he missed the collegiate experience. “SHU has always held a special place in my heart, and I am excited to be back working with a community I consider to be family,” he said.