University of Advancing Technology's (UAT) President Emeritus Jason Pistillo dedicated his life and career to the university. At this year's Commencement Ceremony he was recognized with UAT's Lifetime Impact Award. Jason shared his proudest and most impactful moments over the last thirty years.
Jason started at UAT as a computer engineer, spending two years in the role before transitioning into independent consulting. However, in 1995, he returned as a network engineer to fix what was humorously referred to as "the not work." What was supposed to be a six-month stint turned into a 31-year commitment. "After rewiring the school and rebuilding everything from layer zero to three, I expected that to be the end of my stint—and yet, here I am, still part of this incredible journey."
Over the years, Jason has witnessed and facilitated the growth of a vibrant community. "One of the moments that impressed me the most was when we established our community focus around 2010. We decided that everybody needed to be involved, and that led to a massive impact in the local community." Through partnerships with organizations like SARC, New Way, EVIT, the Girl Scouts, Warriors Heart, and Ballet Arizona, UAT has become deeply embedded in the fabric of the community. "If we disappeared tomorrow, would the community miss us? I think the answer is undoubtedly yes."
UAT’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Phoenix Chamber recognized the university with the Community Impact Award in 2019, a moment Jason describes as "validating for all the work we’ve done over the years."
One of Jason's proudest achievements has been shaping UAT’s curriculum and learning model. "When we cemented our learning model as Synchronic Learning, I was very proud of that. It was designed to mirror what students would experience in the tech workplace. After all, at work, you don’t just raise your hand and expect your boss to come running." The capstone of this model is the Student Innovation Project, a requirement that ensures graduates leave UAT having created something truly innovative. "Most of the students I know from UAT don’t want to just repeat what others have done. They want to create. And that’s what sets them apart."
Jason played a key role in designing some of UAT’s most innovative degree programs. "I was involved in writing the original Computer Science and Network Engineering degrees in 1995. Later, in 1997 and 1998, we developed the Network Security and Cyber Security degrees—before the word 'cyber' was even a thing. Back then, we called it 'network defense' because we didn’t know what else to call it." In 2005, UAT introduced its Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree, then called 'Artificial Life,' long before AI became the mainstream buzzword it is today. "Think about how early those things were adopted. That’s part of the DNA of UAT, and it’s something I’m immensely proud of."
When asked about his biggest contribution Jason said "UAT is made up of incredibly smart people for whom this is their life's work. My unique contribution has always been thinking ahead—planning not just for what we need today, but for what we’ll need 10 years from now. Whether it was implementing software years in advance, training people ahead of the curve, or hiring the right talent before the need arose, my goal was always to remove roadblocks before anyone even reached them."
UAT's Provost Dr. Dave Bolman shared these words when asked about Jason's impact on the university "At a DNA level, Jason is wired to be an IT guy who loves to architect networks. I love how over the years Jason’s tech heart works its way into UAT in unexpected ways. I remember his excitement about having student boards be the evidence of program objectives that both answers the question “how do you know students leave with the skills needed to succeed in their tech” and weaves its way into all UAT courses. This approach to knowing what students learn is a key bragging point we talk to HLC about that generates some envy within our academic peers. I saw the same joyous and maybe a little mad scientist glint in Jason’s eye when UAT was working on linking our outcomes (Ends) to the data reports used by leaders and UAT’s Board. Running the institutional wires from Ends to weekly reporting and everyone’s key result areas (KRAs) is a wonderful system for reinforcing UAT staying on target no matter what our environment is doing. It is better built than anything I have seen in any other organization. Jason should be proud and we are very thankful for his crazy wonderful brain. "
Receiving the Lifetime Impact Award has been a humbling moment for Jason, who sees it as a recognition of his life's work. "My dad always told me, 'Do what you say you're going to do.' I take that a step further: make sure it’s done. So many people come up with ideas and strategies but never see them through. The real measure of success is making sure it’s done, done, done."
To the graduates of UAT Jason offers one final piece of wisdom: "This is your finish line. And making sure you cross that finish line—that’s what matters. Always ask yourself: Is it really done?"
Celebrate the Legacy. Shape the Future. Be a part of UAT's next chapter. Learn More today.