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Overview

2025 Maryland Higher Education IT Leadership Summit: Planning for the Future of Technology in Higher Education

Colleges and universities in Maryland, like those across the country, are at a transformative moment. As they adapt to shifting demographics, evolving student needs, and changing funding models, the role of technology has never been more essential—or full of opportunity. IT leaders are uniquely positioned to help their colleges and universities thrive by enabling innovation, advancing data-informed decision-making, and improving institutional and student outcomes.

The 2025 Higher Education IT Leadership Summit brings together senior technology and institutional leaders for a day of strategic exchange, peer learning, and collaborative exploration. The Summit agenda reflects the priorities identified by the Advisory Board, offering a balance of strategic insight and practical relevance. While the full agenda will span a range of leadership and operational topics, the Summit is grounded in the issues top of mind for today’s higher education CIOs. These include building digital trust; data and technology governance; modernizing systems; IT organizational models and decision-making structures; aligning AI and data strategies with institutional priorities and mission; navigating the evolving cybersecurity and risk landscape; and strengthening the IT staff talent pipeline. A key focus of this year’s summit is the opportunity—and necessity—to take a fresh look at legacy infrastructure, systems, and policies that have evolved over time. Aligning these foundational elements with today’s institutional strategies is critical to ensuring that IT remains affordable, agile, and sustainable for the future.

These priorities—whether addressed in sessions, panels, or conversations throughout the day—will shape the dialogue and can lead to meaningful relationships afterwards. This Summit is a platform for fresh thinking and actionable solutions. Attendees will leave informed, inspired and equipped to elevate IT as a driver of institutional agility, academic excellence, and long-term success in a dynamic digital landscape.

Participants are encouraged to come ready to share their real-world challenges, engage actively in sessions, and contribute to a collaborative, solution-focused environment.

Who Should Attend
Senior and emerging IT leaders in higher education including, CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, Deputy CIOs/CTOs, IT Directors, System Managers, and those leading digital transformation, infrastructure, and learning technology initiatives.

Summit Objectives
• Foster Collaboration: Connect locally with higher ed IT leaders to exchange strategies, insights, and best practices in a face-to-face, peer-driven environment.
• Showcase Innovation: Explore real-world examples of how technology is transforming teaching, learning, and campus operations.
• Develop Leadership: Gain practical guidance and peer insights to grow leadership skills and advance both career and institutional goals.
• Tackle Top Challenges: Dive into critical topics like AI, system modernization, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud scalability, and managing limited budgets.
• Explore What’s Next: Discover future trends in higher ed tech and how they’ll shape IT strategy, workforce needs, and institutional success.

Why Attend
• Designed for You: Free for higher education professionals. Sized for meaningful engagement—limited to 60 invited attendees.
• Local & Convenient: Held in-state to eliminate costly travel and time away.
• Expert Insights: Hear directly from thought leaders, colleagues, and practitioners on pressing IT challenges and innovations.
• High-Value Networking: Build lasting connections with peers, partners, and potential collaborators in a focused, in-person setting.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Ron Bergmann

Ron Bergmann

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Ronald M. Bergmann most recently served as vice president for Information Technology and CIO at Lehman College/CUNY. At Lehman, Ron and his team pioneered the use of analytics, automated major business processes, enhanced classroom technology and opened the first virtual reality lab in the region. Lehman was cited as an exemplar in the 2018 Horizon Report for its innovative Lehman 360 digital platform. Ron is a fellow of the EDUCAUSE/CLIR Frye (now Leading Change) Institute and was named in 2017 as one of the nation’s top technologists, transformers and trailblazers by the Center for Digital Education.
Ron previously served as first deputy commissioner of New York City's information technology agency where he was selected by Government Technology magazine as one of the nation's leading individuals redefining and advancing technology's role in government.

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Stacy Cahill

Stacy Cahill

Chief Information Security Officer, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)  

Stacy Cahill serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), a position she assumed in April 2024. With over two decades of experience in information technology, Stacy has dedicated 14 years specifically to the field of cybersecurity. Before joining UMBC, she held the role of Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Stacy possesses a strong background in IT modernization, with a keen focus on how architectural design can effectively reduce risk. Her varied experience encompasses software development, middleware administration, enterprise architecture, and identity and access management.

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Brian Cohen

Brian Cohen

Vice President, Center for Digital Government

Brian Cohen is the vice president of the Center for Digital Government and Center for Digital Education, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government and education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian was vice chancellor and University CIO for the City University of New York (CUNY).
As the vice chancellor and University CIO at CUNY, Brian directed the Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS), developed and managed the enterprise IT vision, strategy and day-to-day technology operations of the University. His areas of focus included academic and business systems, cloud strategies, IT policies and procedures, cybersecurity, project management, IT resiliency and disaster recovery and network and telecommunications.
Brian also served in leadership roles with the City of New York. Among his many accomplishments, Brian developed the City of New York’s e-Government strategy, implemented the City’s award-winning nyc.gov website and managed the City’s effort to address the Y2K technology challenge.

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Neil Delacruz

Neil Delacruz

Regional Systems Engineer, Public Sector/SLED for Fortinet 

Neil Delacruz is a cybersecurity consultant with three decades in network defense, denial-of-service protection, and cyber operations. He has architected defenses for finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, transportation, US FedGov, and SLED customers. A CISSP since 2002, he has dedicated his career to raising awareness about cyber-attack and defense strategies and contributing to the advancement of cybersecurity knowledge and practices.
Neil joined Fortinet in 2024 as a Regional Systems Engineer supporting Mid-Atlantic SLED customers. Prior to Fortinet, he spent 18 years as a Principal Security Consultant at AT&T, plus ten years in IT leadership roles in the financial and insurance industry.
In the last two years, he has focused on the application of GenAI in cybersecurity by exploring ways to turn it into a force-multiplier for defenders. He brings operational insight and a deep commitment to privacy in the age of AI.

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Michael Eismeier

Michael Eismeier

Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer, University System of Maryland 

Michael Eismeier is a seasoned Chief Information Officer at the University System of Maryland, with extensive experience in higher education administration and IT leadership. Since joining the University System in 2019, he has served in several key roles, including Associate Vice Chancellor and Deputy CIO, where he spearheaded significant digital transformation initiatives.
Previously, Michael directed the Administrative Modernization Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, enhancing efficiencies across finance and human resources systems. His career began in state government, progressing to impactful roles in IT strategy and project management.
Michael holds an MBA and a master’s in Information and Telecommunications Systems from The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School, and a BS in Geography and Regional Planning from Salisbury University. His academic background complements his leadership, blending business acumen with technical expertise to advance educational and digital governance.

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Adrienne Garber, JD, M.Ed.

Adrienne Garber, JD, M.Ed.

Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist for Higher Education, Dell Technologies 

Adrienne Garber is a Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist for Higher Education at Dell Technologies. She is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has been involved with Dell Technologies in various capacities since July 2019.
Adrienne has been improving teaching, learning and technology in higher education for the past 20 years. She has an extensive background in instructional design, faculty development, program assessment, and education technology project management.
At Dell, she supports strategy development for higher education leadership in five keys areas: student and institutional success, teaching and learning, research, security, and IT infrastructure. She also has experience designing and building esports and gaming spaces on college campuses for Alienware, Dell’s award-winning gaming hardware brand.

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Collier Jones

Collier Jones

Campus Portal Architect, University of Maryland, Baltimore County 

For nearly two decades, B. Collier Jones has been transforming how students navigate university systems, making complex digital ecosystems feel as intuitive as the consumer platforms students use daily. Starting his career at Virginia Tech contributing to the myVT portal and open-source uPortal project, he joined UMBC in 2006 as Campus Portal Architect, where he has led the evolution of myUMBC from a basic information portal into a sophisticated digital hub that serves as the university community's front door.
Collier specializes in breaking down silos between disparate campus systems creating seamless, personalized experiences that support student success. Rather than simply digitizing existing processes, he approaches portal design as experience architecture, working directly with students to understand real usage patterns and design solutions that anticipate needs.
Currently, Collier is exploring AI-powered personalization, developing systems that use student data to provide real-time, contextual assistance, helping students get answers instantly without navigating multiple systems. This work represents his ongoing commitment to pushing digital tools beyond their traditional limits to create truly student-centered experiences.

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Sarvesh Khetan

Sarvesh Khetan

Graduate Student, University of Maryland, Machine Learning

Sarvesh Khetan is a Graduate student pursuing his Masters in Machine Learning at the University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to his graduate studies, he worked for over two years as an applied data scientist, gaining hands-on experience in generative AI, big data, and full-stack data science projects.
His technical toolkit includes frameworks and platforms such as PyTorch, LangChain, Neo4j, Kafka, Kubernetes, and AWS. Sarvesh is particularly interested in the intersection of distributed systems and artificial intelligence, and he regularly explores state-of-the-art ML and deep learning algorithms—ranging from Transformers and Attention Mechanisms to Diffusion Models and Graph Neural Networks.  He has worked with modern data tools like Snowflake and MongoDB.
Beyond his academic and technical pursuits, Sarvesh is passionate about personal development. He enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and staying active through cricket, table tennis, and badminton. He actively creates content on LinkedIn and Medium, where he shares insights and advice to help others navigate and grow in the tech industry.

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Tamara Petronka

Executive Director, Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC)  

As the Executive Director of Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC), Tamara Petronka oversees the organization dedicated to centrally coordinated procurement opportunities for member organizations. Using the collective scale of all educational institutions in Maryland, MEEC aims to obtain economic advantages and value in acquiring products and services beneficial to the educational enterprise.
Tamara’s background has cultivated a strong commitment to securing optimal deals for members of the education community. She began her career teaching seventh and eighth grade Science in the public school system in Pennsylvania, where she balanced cost against educational needs. She later transitioned to higher education as a Registrar—a role demanding exceptional attention to detail, adherence to schedules, and comprehension of the long-term impacts of short-term decisions. Her move to the University System of Maryland involved providing structure to a software implementation project that impacted the entire System. Subsequently, she took leadership of what was initially a single contract MEEC program, expanding its reach to multiple contracts, numerous vendors, various institutions, and numerous faculty and staff FTEs. Members of the USM Board of Regents now regard MEEC as the "crown jewel" of Efficiency and Effectiveness.

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Jack Suess

Jack Suess

Vice President and Chief Information Officer, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The Vice President of Information Technology is the university’s Chief Information Officer (CIO). The Vice President provides university leadership for information technology at UMBC and serves on the executive leadership team of the university. The Vice President is responsible for providing information technology services in support of teaching and scholarship, research computing, and administrative support. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President is responsible for strategic planning and implementation, coordination, budget, personnel, and policy related to information technology at UMBC.
Mr. Jack Suess is an alum of UMBC and has worked at UMBC since 1981. He holds a B.A. Mathematics and M.S. Operations Analysis. Throughout the years he has taught a number of courses at UMBC, including Computer Organization and Assembly Programming, Unix System Administration, and Computers and Society. He has led UMBC information technology since 1997 and was appointed UMBC CIO in 2000. In 2002, he was made a direct report to the President and was named Vice President in 2005. His CV can be found here.
Mr. Suess has been an active researcher in advanced networking and was PI on UMBC’s 1997 NSF grant for vBNS networking and was the PI on a 2014 NSF cyber infrastructure grant to upgrade the network to 100 Gbits. In addition he has been co-PI on a NSF grant to increase women in IT through improved access to global resources and a state grant for broadening IT skills across all majors. He is a regular speaker on data analytics for student success, cybersecurity, identity management, and technology standards for teaching and learning.

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Agenda

Thursday, June 5

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Patuxent Pre-Function

8:30 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Patuxent

8:45 am Eastern

Navigating the Perfect Storm: Strategic IT Leadership in Higher Education

Patuxent

Higher education is entering a period of deep uncertainty—marked by unpredictable enrollment patterns, unstable funding landscapes and rising costs, accelerating digital demands, and disruptive technologies reshaping every corner of the institution. This session offers an honest dialogue with IT leaders who are not only managing IT organizations but playing a central role in supporting their universities through this storm. This panel explore how they’re confronting ambiguity, leading change, and forging campus-wide partnerships to build resilience. It’s not just about planning for the future—it’s about leading through the unknown, with clarity, adaptability, and purpose.

Moderator: Brian Cohen, Vice President, Center for Digital Government

Michael Eismeier, Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, University System if Maryland

Ayman Idrees, Chief Information Officer, Wor-Wic Community College

Tamara Petronka, Executive Director, Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC)

9:45 am Eastern

Networking Break

Patuxent

10:00 am Eastern

From Legacy to Leverage: Rethinking Systems for Strategic Impact

Patuxent

As colleges and universities confront mounting pressures to be more agile, efficient, and student-centered, outdated legacy systems often stand in the way of meaningful progress. This panel brings together campus IT leaders and an industry expert to explore how institutions are rethinking their technology foundations—not just to upgrade systems, but to align with evolving strategic goals. Panelists will share real-world examples of how moving beyond patchwork solutions to create modern, integrated platforms that support enrollment, student success, operational efficiency, and data-informed decision-making is a on everyone’s strategic agenda.

Moderator: Ron Bergmann, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education

Stacy Cahill, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

Marcus Harrington, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enterprise Technology and Development, and Deputy Chief Information Officer, University System of Maryland

11:00 am Eastern

Governance 2.0: Reimagining IT Governance for Today’s Higher Education Landscape

Patuxent

Over the years, colleges and universities have built layers of IT policies, procedures, and decision-making structures—often in response to specific needs, crises, or compliance demands. What’s emerged is frequently a patchwork of informal and formal governance models that may no longer serve the institution’s evolving goals or digital ambitions. This collaborative workshop session will look at higher education IT governance and consider how legacy governance models can be transformed into a more cohesive and strategic “Governance 2.0” framework—one that clearly defines ownership, encourages inclusive input, raises institutional awareness, and places decision-making in the right hands.

Summit attendees will collaboratively explore how to modernize governance for agility, transparency, and alignment with institutional strategy. Participants will assess current governance models and identify principles for a modernized strategic and integrated IT governance framework.

Ron Bergmann, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education

Brian Cohen, Vice President, Center for Digital Government

12:00 pm Eastern

Lunch and Networking

Patuxent

1:00 pm Eastern

AI in Academia: Promise, Pressure, and Practical Paths Forward

Patuxent

AI is rapidly reshaping higher education, and institutions are under growing pressure to respond with thoughtful, strategic action. This panel brings together campus leaders and an industry expert to explore how colleges and universities are integrating AI across academic and administrative areas—from teaching and learning to student services and operations. This session will spotlight how peer institutions are embracing, prototyping, and scaling AI efforts, offering attendees a chance to validate current strategies, gather new ideas, and learn from others at the same time. Whether you're moving fast or just getting started, this session delivers practical insights and cross-sector perspectives to help you lead with clarity and purpose.

Moderator: Brian Cohen, Vice President, Center for Digital Government

Dr. Amanda Chicoli, Ph.D., Faculty and Research Coordinator for Neuroscience Major, Psychology Department, University of Maryland, College Park

Adrienne Garber, JD, M.Ed., Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist for Higher Education, Dell Technologies

Jack Suess, Vice President, Division of Information Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

Neil Delacruz, Regional Systems Engineer, Public Sector/SLED for Fortinet

2:00 pm Eastern

The Digital Campus: Meeting Student Expectations

Patuxent

Students expect their digital campus experience to be as seamless, personalized, and responsive as the platforms they use every day. Meeting those expectations isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s about designing connected, consistent, and user-driven systems across the entire student journey. This session goes beyond surface-level talk. Hear from IT and student affairs leaders who are deeply engaged in rethinking digital experiences. Panelists will share what’s working, what’s been reworked, and what still needs fixing.

This is a session for decision-makers and implementers who are ready to get into the real work of building a digital campus that truly meets student needs.

Moderator: Ron Bergmann, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education

Collier Jones, Campus Portal Architect, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Sarvesh Khetan, Graduate Student, University of Maryland, Machine Learning

3:00 pm Eastern

Wrap Up & Closing Remarks

Patuxent

3:30 pm Eastern

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

3501 University Blvd East
Hyattsville, MD 20783
(301) 985-7300

Get Directions To
College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Planning Committee

Representatives

Valarie Burks
Associate Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
College of Southern Maryland

Dionne Curbeam
Interim Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Coppin State University

Michael Eismeier
Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief Information Officer
Offices of Administration & Finance/Academic & Student Affairs
University System of Maryland

Michael Kaiser
Chief Information Security Officer
Towson University

Rhonda Spells-Fentry
Vice President
Data Science, Innovation, & Effectiveness
Prince George's Community College

Jack Suess
Vice President/Chief Information Officer
Division of Information Technology
University of Maryland Baltimore County

Jerry Waldron
Interim Executive Director
Maryland Research and Education Network
University of Maryland

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: June 5, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Jasmin Tetzlaff
Center for Digital Education
Phone: (916) 932-1308
E-mail: jtetzlaff@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Center for Digital Education
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Center for Digital Education
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

3501 University Blvd East
Hyattsville, MD 20783
(301) 985-7300

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Accomodations

There is no room block set up for this event. There are a number of hotels nearby. 

Map and Directions

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wasum-college-park-marriott-hotel-and-conference-center/overview/

Event Parking

Complimentary On-Site Parking

Parking fees subject to change without notice. 

Attire

Business casual