Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit 2026
Overview
Where higher ed IT leaders shape what’s next.
The Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit is a one-day, invite-only gathering designed for CIOs, IT directors, and digital transformation champions across colleges and universities. Focused on the most pressing issues in academic technology, from cybersecurity and infrastructure to digital learning and AI, the summit fosters peer collaboration, practical problem-solving, and forward-thinking leadership. Attendees gain real-world strategies to drive innovation, modernize operations, and elevate student and institutional success.
Who Should Attend: Senior IT leaders, technology managers, and academic innovators responsible for shaping the future of IT in higher education.
The Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit is such an invaluable and insightful event for me as an IT executive. Higher education, and Michigan in particular, is at a critical point of change . The demographic cliff, changing federal requirements, the dangers and opportunities of AI, and increasing scrutiny on the return on investment of education all present unique challenges that need to be addressed here and now. Feedback and collaboration with other IT leaders is an essential tool to be able to understand, plan, and respond. Differences in institution size, academic focus, and resources all create a multifaceted perspective on these common issues. It presents a unique opportunity for insight and transparency that is hard to replicate in any other format.
-Geoffrey Marsh, Vice President of Instructional, Administrative, and Information Technology, Kettering University
University of Michigan -Dearborn Kochoff Hall
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
313-583-6330
University of Michigan -Dearborn Kochoff Hall
Advisory Board
Education Representatives
Ben Andera
Exec Director of IT
Academic and Research Computing
Central Michigan University
Dan Arnold
Director of Support & Innovation; Provost Fellow for Artificial Intelligence
Online Learning
Oakland University
PJ Capelli
Security and Privacy Officer
Western Michigan University
Jonathon Conquest
Director of IT Operations
IT
Kettering University
Richard Durant
IT Operations Manager
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Elzabeth Klee
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Oakland Community College
Bhavani Koneru
Chief Information Officer
Oakland University
Brian LaGoe
Director of Applications
IT Services
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Joseph Lubomirski
Director of Security, Infrastructure and Operations
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Geoffrey Marsh
VP of Instructional, Admin and IT
Kettering University
Aaron Snead
Vice President Information Technology
Information Technology
Kalamazoo Valley 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
Ron Woody
Chief Information Officer
Eastern Michigan University
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: August 6, 2026
Open to higher education institutions only.
Registration - Free
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Contact Information
Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:
Jennifer Caldwell
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1345
E-mail: jcaldwell@erepublic.com
Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:
Mireya Gaton
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!
Heather Earney
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com