A 1982 graduate in computer science, Keith Collins has played key roles at SAS, the world's leader in analytics software. Since joining the company in 1984, he has directed Research and Development, including 13 years as Chief Technology Officer. In 2013 he assumed the role of Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer, with a mandate to accelerate SAS Analytics in the cloud. Keith has maintained a strong relationship with NC State through the years. A former NC State Engineering Foundation Board member, he is an emeritus and founding member of the Computer Science Strategic Advisory Board. In 2003, he became the first Computer Science alumnus to be recognized as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus at NC State. As we entered the 21st century, Keith worked with the Computer Science department to help chart a new course to the emerging field of data science. He backed this direction by coordinating significant contributions from SAS and with estate plans to create a professorship and several endowment gifts.Keith and his wife, Margie, also have a deep commitment to value all people, and they believe that diversity is essential to the advancement of society and to the robustness of the computer science discipline. Together with the Advisory board, they helped launch the Diversity in Computer Science Scholarship Endowment.