Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit 2024 Banner

Overview

This one-day event is designed to convene leaders and innovators from across the state to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in higher education information technology. As institutions continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, cybersecurity, online learning, and data management, this summit offers a place for collaboration, learning, and strategic planning.

The Higher Education IT Leadership Summit is more than just an event; it's a strategic gathering of minds dedicated to shaping the future of technology in academia. The summit looks to help support change, inspire innovation, and equip participants with the knowledge and connections needed to lead their institutions through the IT challenges and opportunities currently in front of them and ahead of them.

Objectives:

  • Foster Collaboration: Create a forum for IT leaders to meet in-person locally and share insights, strategies, and best practices for overcoming common challenges and leveraging opportunities within the higher education sector.
  • Highlight Innovation: Showcase best practices and experiences in using technology to address new approaches to teaching, learning, and administrative operations.
  • Enhance Leadership Skills: Learn from colleagues and peers on how to develop leadership capabilities to advance careers and effectively guide IT departments and institutions.
  • Address Key Challenges: Address topics such as AI, system modernizations, cybersecurity threats, privacy regulations, cloud and infrastructure scalability, and the integration of new technologies, budget challenges, and more.
  • Explore Future Trends and Opportunities: Examine the future landscape of higher education technology, including the challenges ahead, what needs focus and attention, and the potential impact on the IT’s mission and workforce.

Who Should Attend:

  • CIOs, IT directors, technology and system managers, and other IT leaders in higher education. Also, those who are spearheading digital transformation initiatives, managing IT infrastructure, or developing innovative learning technologies. Titles include CIOs and CTOs, Deputy CIO and CTOs, CISOs and deputy CISOs, IT directors, and managers, Future IT leaders, Functional IT leaders and managers.

Why Attend:

  • Local and Sized Right: Free to attend if you work in higher education. The Summit is designed to be small and more collaborative with up to 50 invited attendees. The local venue eliminates long and costly travel outside the state.
  • Expert Panels: Engage with thought leaders and experts in discussions on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in higher education IT.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers from various institutions and industry, share experiences, and build partnerships that extend beyond the summit.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Charles Elliott

Charles Elliott

Field CTO and Practice Lead, Google

Charles Elliott is a Field CTO and Practice Lead within Google Cloud dedicated to empowering state, local, and education customers with cutting-edge AI solutions. His expertise lies in leveraging Google Cloud's vast capabilities to transform public services, accelerate research and scale development teams. With over 15 years of experience in Big Data, Analytics, and AI, Charles has a proven track record of helping clients design and implement innovative cloud-based solutions that streamline government operations, enhance community engagement, and optimize workloads.  Charles is also a trusted technical advisor to research institutions and actively champions the integration of cloud technologies in government and academic advisory boards.

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Dan Arnold, Ph.D.

Dan Arnold, Ph.D.

Manager of eLearning at Oakland University (headshot attached and bio below)

Dan Arnold is the Manager of Support Services for Oakland University's e-Learning & Instructional Support department. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, Dan has built a diverse background in financial aid, student recruitment, and online learning. His commitment to education extends beyond his primary role, having served as the Administrative Professional Assembly President and as a Senator, actively participating in Oakland University governance.
Dan's expertise has been recognized nationally, as he has presented at conferences around the US and served as Vice-chair for Research for the UPCEA e-Design Collaborative. For the past 10 years, Dan has also been an educator, teaching Human Resources and Organizational Leadership coursework for the School of Education and Human Services at Oakland University. Dan has brought his combined administrative and academic backgrounds to OU's AI Taskforce, where he is part of a team helping shape the future of artificial intelligence at OU.
In addition to his professional roles, Dan has hosted a podcast focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, reflecting his commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment. 

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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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Bob Burwell

Bob Burwell

CTO for U.S. Public Sector State, Local Government, Education, and Healthcare (SLED-H) at NetApp

Bob is a seasoned technology leader with over 30 years of experience in the IT industry. 
His expertise includes having worked closely with the Department of Defense (DoD), Army, Navy, Air Force, Intelligence Agencies and is now focued on State and Local Government, Education and Healthcare.  
He combines his passion for technology with a deep understanding of public sector needs. You might recognize him from conferences like NASCIO and EDUCAUSE, or perhaps you’ve come across his insights in industry articles and interviews.

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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 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.
Brain 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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Luke DeMott

Luke DeMott

Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Grand ValleyState University

Luke DeMott is the Assistant Vice President for IT and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).
Before taking on this role, Luke held multiple roles in the technology sector, spanning 25 years.  These roles have included infrastructure management, data and analytics, and security.  Luke has worked in many industry verticals, including insurance, technology, higher education, and finance.  
Luke has several master's degrees, many of the tech sector major certificates, and ten years in security leadership. 

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Nick Gaspar

Nick Gaspar

Director of Online and Digital Education at the University of Michigan-Flint

Nick is the Director of Online and Digital Education at the University of Michigan-Flint, where he has been a pivotal part of the campus community since 2003. In his role, Nick leads a dedicated team focused on enhancing educational experiences through his leadership and innovation. His work emphasizes change management, accessibility, and financial responsibility to keep the university responsive and adaptable in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.
Nick has been a driving force in integrating generative AI at the university. He developed a successful professional development course called GenAI Prompt Literacy and co-developed Teaching with GenAI, equipping educators with the skills to effectively use AI in their teaching. As a member of the U-M Generative Artificial Intelligence Advisory (GAIA) Committee, Nick contributed to a key report assessing the opportunities and challenges posed by generative AI, helping position the university as a leader in ethical and responsible AI use.
Nick's leadership was also crucial during U-M Flint's transition to remote learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in the migration from Blackboard to Canvas, underscoring his commitment to enhancing teaching and learning outcomes.

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Nicholas Haas

Nicholas Haas

Customer Partnership Executive , SID Global Solutions

Nicholas has over 27 years of experience working with the public sector specializing in state and local government and administration. Nick has helped save state agencies, municipalities, and public-school districts in the northeast US millions of dollars through building relationships, leveraging technology, and redesigning workflow. As a customer relationship executive with SIDGS, he helps enable state and local governments in the Northeast US serve citizens more efficiently.

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Bhavani Koneru

Bhavani Koneru

Chief Information Officer, Oakland University

Bhavani has been serving as the Chief Information Officer for Oakland Univeristy since 2021 where she leads the University’s more than 100-member IT organization, which is responsible for providing a robust and secure computing environment, reliable infrastructure and viable enterprise applications. As CIO, Bhavani has worked to simplify, sustain, innovate and drive digital transformation with emphasis on addressing the top priorities of IT in Higher Education – information security, privacy, student centric learning and sustainable funding.
Prior to joining Oakland University, Bahavani served as the Chief Information Officer at Ferris State University, and held numerous positions including Senior Director of Information Technology at Wayne State.

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Brian LaGoe

Brian LaGoe

Director of Applications at the University of Michigan-Dearborn

With over 26 years of experience in Higher Education IT, Brian has consistently developed innovative and highly technical solutions in alignment with organizational goals. As IT Director of Applications at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, he oversees a team responsible for University Business Systems, including the Banner Student Information System. His leadership extends to supervising system analysts and application administrators, collaborating closely with customers to support enterprise applications.
Brian's team provides project and consulting services for custom reporting, software integrations, and strategic software/vendor recommendations. They also build and support Salesforce functionality, enhancing student engagement and retention through the student portal, advising systems, strategic communications, and more. By leveraging tools like Student Success Hub and Marketing Cloud, Brian and his team are committed to delivering personalized, equitable experiences that support the entire lifecycle of students.

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Scott Wood

Scott Wood

Vice President and CIO, Baker College System

As the CIO at Baker College, Scott Wood has 17 years of experience in the higher education IT market. In his time at Baker, Scott has served in various IT roles and lead the institution through key transformations, including aligning Baker College with the NIST cybersecurity framework. Scott has also been an adjunct professor for nine years and has led numerous committees for Baker College, such as the LMS User Group, Change Management, as well as the Policy and Procedures Approval Committee. Scott has also served as a peer reviewer for EDUCAUSE.

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Agenda

Tuesday, September 24

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Light Breakfast

Meeting Room 201/ 202

9:00 am Eastern

Welcome and Introductions

Meeting Room 201/ 202

9:05 am Eastern

Embracing Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges for CIOs

Meeting Room 201/ 202

This session will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education technology:

  • Engage in practical conversations about strategically integrating emerging technologies while addressing potential risks and barriers to adoption.
  • Develop strategies to overcome obstacles and ensure your institution can fully leverage technological advancements.
  • Gain actionable insights to drive your institution’s digital strategy forward.
  • Plan to future-proof your institution against upcoming technological disruptions.
  • Moderator: Brian Cohen, Vice President, The Center for Digital Education

    Bhavani Koneru, Chief Information Officer, Oakland University

    Scott Wood, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Baker College System University

    10:00 am Eastern

    Break

    10:20 am Eastern

    Navigating Innovation and Risk During Digital Transformation

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

    This session will review the challenges CIOs face in spearheading innovation, managing workload and the associated risks of new technologies. Panelists will share insights and strategies on the need to balance innovation with the imperatives of risk management.

  • Panelists will provide insight navigating risks while fostering innovation. They will discuss useful frameworks for assessing technological opportunities and risks.
  • Examine how new technologies will impact planning in higher education and what the CIO and their team needs to do to remain innovative, collaborative, and careful as they journey into the new world.
  • Share experiences and advice to promote responsible innovation, balancing enthusiasm for new technologies with an informed approach to managing risk.
  • Moderator: Ron Bergmann, Senior Fellow, The Center for Digital Government

    Brian LaGoe, Director of Applications, IT Services, University of Michigan Dearborn

    Luke DeMott, Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Grand Valley State University

    11:10 am Eastern

    The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

    This session will show how higher education in Michigan can benefit from the potential of AI by providing strategic priorities and critical considerations for successful and responsible IT adoption.

  • Review practical approaches and actionable insights to implement AI technologies effectively while addressing ethical and security issues.
  • Explore existing successful collaborative and governance models and how they may be leveraged to implement AI.
  • Foster a culture of mutual support that can enhance educational outcomes across the state of Michigan.
  • Share approaches and best practices to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders.
  • Moderator: Brian Cohen Vice President, The Center for Digital Education

    Dan Arnold, Ph.D. -Manager of eLearning at Oakland University

    Nick Gaspar, Director of Online and Digital Education at the University of Michigan-Flint

    12:00 pm Eastern

    Morning Wrap-up and Lunch

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

    1:00 pm Eastern

    Success Stories from Michigan’s Higher Education Institutions

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

    This interactive session will focus on peer-to-peer learning and knowledge

    exchange among Michigan’s higher education IT leaders. Through structured

    group discussion, participants will share success stories and gain actionable

    insights on leveraging technology for transformative change in their institutions.

    Key features include:

  • Small group discussions centered on real-world IT success stories
  • Topics include digital transformation, cybersecurity, AI, and student outcomes
  • Emphasis on practical, implementable strategies and solutions
  • Opportunity to network and learn from peers facing similar challenges
  • Brief report-out sessions will share key takeaways with all attendees. Participants

    will leave with new ideas, best practices, and potential solutions gained from the

    collective experience of their colleagues.

    Geoffrey Marsh, Vice President of Instructional, Administrative, and Information Technology - Kettering University

    1:50 pm Eastern

    Industry Tech Talk - AI in Higher Education – What tech partners need higher education to know

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

    This session of leading technology experts, from the partner community, is designed to allow the sharing of invaluable insights into the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. This session will provide higher education IT leaders with information on emerging opportunities and national trends poised to influence their world. Panel speakers will share their views on the latest AI advancements, explore the transformative potential of this cutting-edge technology, discuss strategic approaches to leveraging AI for institutional success, and offer advice on how industry can be strategic partners. This fireside chat is designed to help attendees stay ahead of the curve, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and strategically plan for the future.

    Key topics will include:

  • Emerging AI Technologies: Discover the next wave of AI advancements that will shape the future of higher education, what’s coming next for machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.
  • Opportunities for AI Innovation: Learn about practical applications of AI that can enhance student engagement, streamline administrative processes, and support data-driven decision-making. What are leading education institutions focusing on next?
  • National AI Trends and Their Impact: Gain insights into current national trends in AI adoption, policy developments, legal frameworks, and funding opportunities that will impact higher education institutions.
  • Bob Burwell, CTO for U.S. Public Sector State, Local Government, Education, and Healthcare (SLED-H) at NetApp

    Charles Elliott, Field CTO and Practice Lead, Google

    Nicholas Haas, Customer Partnership Executive, SID Global Solutions

    2:45 pm Eastern

    Break

    3:00 pm Eastern

    Around the Room Conversation: What else needs to be on the IT Priority List?

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

    In this transformative and fast-paced era of higher education technology, the IT priority list is continually evolving. From cybersecurity to infrastructure upgrades, institutions are juggling a myriad of critical projects. But what else deserves a spot on this ever-growing list? In this rapid-fire group conversation, we will identify what requires more time, conversation, focus, and leadership within IT organizations, as well as the critical roles that are essential for the success of these important initiatives.

    3:30 pm Eastern

    Closing Thoughts and Wrap Up

    Meeting Room 201/ 202

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

    Lansing Center

    333 E Michigan Ave
    Lansing, MI 48933
    (517) 483-7400

    Get Directions To
    Lansing Center

    Advisory Board

    Education Representatives

    Bhavani Koneru
    Chief Information Officer
    Oakland University

    Brian LaGoe
    Director of Applications
    IT Services
    University of Michigan - Dearborn

    Bob Montgomery
    Vice Chancellor for Information Technologies/Chief Information Officer
    Oakland Community College

    Milos Topic
    Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Digital Officer
    Grand Valley State University

    Charlie Weaver
    Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Officer
    Information Technology
    Ferris State University

    Scott Wood
    Chief Information Officer
    Baker College

    Registration Information / Contact Us

    Event Date: September 24, 2024

    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:

    Lee Vang
    Center for Digital Education
    Phone: (916) 932-1407
    E-mail: lvang@govtech.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

    Lansing Center

    333 E Michigan Ave
    Lansing, MI 48933
    (517) 483-7400