Dennis Cromwell leads the Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative (MDPI), the university-wide effort to digitize and preserve vast stores of audio, video, and film holdings. Announced by IU President Michael A. McRobbie in October 2013, MDPI is charged with preserving and providing access to these assets, many of which are in obsolete formats and actively degrading. Working closely with the IU Library, Cromwell is also active in promoting the preservation effort across higher education.

Cromwell previously served IU as associate vice president for several UITS divisions, including client services and support, enterprise infrastructure, and university information systems. In those roles, he worked extensively with faculty, students, and administration to deliver and support mission-critical technologies, including enterprise-wide software, data centers, servers and storage, campus networks, voice communications, and identity management. Cromwell has a BS in mathematics and master of public affairs from Indiana University.