Name: Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit 2026
Start: 2026-08-06T08:00
Location: Kochoff Hall at Renick University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn

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.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

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

Speakers

Dan Arnold, Ph.D.

Director of Support and Innovation and Provost Fellow for Artificial Intelligence, Oakland University

Dan Arnold, Ph.D., is the Provost Fellow for Artificial Intelligence at Oakland University, where he directs the university’s strategy for AI adoption in education, research, and operations. His leadership focuses on building AI literacy, governance structures, and partnerships that ensure responsible, human-centered integration of AI technologies. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, Dan has held roles in student recruitment, financial aid, online learning, and educational technology, and concurrently serves as Director of Support & Innovation for OU’s online learning department. He has taught courses in organizational leadership, change management, and team dynamics for over a decade. Dan’s work emphasizes collaboration, equity, and ethics, ensuring that AI enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise. Outside of his university role, he consults on AI literacy and organizational change, blending his expertise in technology and leadership to help others navigate the future of education.

PJ Capelli

Security and Privacy Officer, Office of Information Technology, Western Michigan University

PJ Capelli has been active in the Cybersecurity community since 1993 and has held roles from pre-sales engineer through CISO across a variety of verticals. His current role is Security and Privacy Officer at Western Michigan University, where he is responsible for the governance, policy, and operations of all University security. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Buffalo, a MS in Computer Science from Syracuse University, and an MBA from the University of Rochester. He has held the CISSP certification since 2005. PJ lives in Portage Michigan, and has a wife (Aimee) and four children.

Frank Feagans

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Frank had a 44-year IT career, most recently as the Vice President of IT and Chief Information Officer for the University of Texas at Dallas. Reporting to the President, Frank was responsible for leveraging investments in information technology by strategically operating, optimizing, and expanding information systems and services and leading and effectively managing the human and financial resources within the IT division. In addition to his CIO duties, he was also an NSF Principal Investigator, and an adjunct instructor of generative AI.
Prior to joining UT Dallas in 2015, Frank spent three years as the Executive Director of Central IT Services for the University of Arizona. Before 2012, Frank held various private sector senior IT leadership positions. His experience includes 15 years within the McDonald’s system, 8 years in IT consulting, and 2 years with US Cellular.
Frank was recruited out of the private sector to integrate industry leadership and technology best practices into higher education IT.
Frank has extensive experience leading all facets of IT, including artificial intelligence, research computing, application development, enterprise and solutions architecture, project management, infrastructure, operations, and client services. With a keen ability to mitigate systemic risks in complex systems, Frank champions IT as a transformational partner to the business. He emphasizes the importance of strong collaborative relationships with colleagues and service providers and fosters an IT culture rooted in caring and teamwork.
Frank is the founder of Life2Plus LLC. a company whose mission is to make a positive difference in others’ lives by sharing meaningful experiences. Frank focuses on cancer survivorship, exploring nature, leadership best practices, and future proofing IT.
A native of Illinois, Frank holds a master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His master’s thesis was in artificial intelligence.

Shyam Gedela

Interim Director, Information Technology Enterprise Services, Michigan State University

Shyam Gedela is Interim Director, MSU IT Enterprise Services. He brings 25 years of experience in large scale Enterprise IT Service Deployments across several industries including Automotive, Supply Chain, and Higher Education. He has been instrumental in launching several campus wide Enterprise Systems over the last 15 years including finance, research administration, compliance, student information, and budget transforming MSU's IT Enterprise landscape at scale. Shyam has published peer reviewed research in the Transportation Research Board and presented at various forums such as Kuali Days, Research Software Developer Forum (Huron Consulting Inc.’s Developer Conference), NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators), and HEUG.

Bhavani Koneru

Chief Information Officer, University Technology Services, Oakland University

Results-driven thought leader who has progressed through increasingly responsible leadership positions. Built an organization-wide reputation as a respected leader and trusted advisor on both IT and business matters. Highly skilled in developing and motivating top-performing teams that surpass expectations. Place a premium on customer focus and relationship building as key factors to achieve business goals.
She is a respected leader and trusted advisor on both IT and business matters, with specialized insights and experience in addressing the technology needs and opportunities of higher education institutions. Along with over 25 years of experience, she received her MS degree in Computer Science from Wayne State University, her MBA from Walsh College, and her undergraduate degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India.

Brian LaGoe

Director of Applications, University of Michigan-Dearborn

With over 27 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.

Tim Niles

Executive Director of Enterprise Applications and Data, Central Michigan University

Tim Niles is Executive Director of Enterprise Applications and Data at Central Michigan University, where he leads teams responsible for enterprise systems, integrations, and institutional data platforms. His work focuses on modernizing legacy environments and applying AI in practical, scalable ways within the constraints of higher education.
He is also an active contributor with CompTIA, serving on multiple advisory and governance committees, and recently worked on the Data+ and DataAI+ certifications.

Marcio A. Oliveira, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, Associate Professor, Dept. Kinesiology, Office of the Provost, Michigan State University

Dr. Marcio Oliveira is Vice Provost for Academic Innovation and Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Michigan State University, where he provides strategic leadership in teaching, learning, academic programming, and scholarly engagement. He oversees the Academic Development and Innovation unit, encompassing campus-wide AI efforts and Initiatives, the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation, the Center for Educational Research and Analytics, the Office for Program Development and Management, and the Apple Developer and Manufacturing Academies.
With over 25 years of experience in educational innovation, technology-enhanced learning, and learning analytics, Dr. Oliveira has led transformative initiatives advancing inclusive, evidence-informed practices and student success. His scholarly work in human development and learning grounds his learner-centered approach to innovation. An internationally recognized leader, he has received numerous honors for advancing educational excellence and driving institutional transformation in higher education.

Carrie Shumaker

Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Strategy Officer, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Carrie Shumaker is the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Strategy Officer for the University of Michigan-Dearborn. In this dual role, she is both the chief technology executive and the head of strategy for the campus, leading the creation and execution of its business strategy. She led the development of UM-Dearborn’s Key Performance Indicators to measure the progress of its strategic plan. Carrie has more than 25 years of experience as a technologist and leader at the University of Michigan. In her prior roles, she led data analysis and reporting as well as serving as functional and technical director for UM-Ann Arbor’s large, centralized IT systems serving both the campus and the health system. She is passionate about developing leadership teams, championing change, and deploying technology in practical ways to support the University's strategic goals. Carrie has a bachelor’s degree from Hope College and an MBA from the University of Michigan-Flint, as well as a CISSP certification. She is a faculty member for the Educause Institutes, and a frequent speaker and mentor for national organizations.

Amar Singh

Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Security Officer, St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

[https://www.linkedin.com/in/amar-singh-56a73b80]

Amar Singh serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at St. Clair College, where he oversees the institution’s IT infrastructure, cybersecurity operations, and information security governance. With 28 years of experience in information technology, he has led initiatives that strengthen technology services, enhance security posture, and support organizational innovation.
In addition to his leadership at St. Clair College, he serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Connecting Windsor-Essex, contributing to regional technology and connectivity initiatives. He is also an active member of the Ontario Colleges CIO Group, collaborating on strategic technology priorities across the post-secondary sector. Furthermore, he serves on the Advisory Board of SiberX’s Operation Defend the North, supporting cybersecurity awareness, education, and workforce development efforts.

Tarek M. Sobh, Ph.D., P.E.

President, Lawrence Technological University

Professor Tarek M. Sobh received the B.Sc. in Engineering degree with honors in Computer Science and Automatic Control from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt in 1988, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer and Information Science from the School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and 1991, respectively. He is currently the President and a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Michigan. He is also a Distinguished Professor and Dean of Engineering Emeritus at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Benjamin Stratton

Director of IT Customer Support and Student Experience Ambassador, Kettering University

Benjamin Stratton is the Director of IT Customer Support at Kettering University and also serves as one of the university’s Student Experience Ambassadors. In his role, he leads campus technology support initiatives with a strong focus on enhancing the experience of students, faculty, and staff. He brings more than 15 years of experience in IT support and infrastructure, including extensive work in corporate environments, and leverages that background to introduce structure, consistency, and operational discipline within a higher education setting.
Benjamin welcomes opportunities to connect on LinkedIn to continue conversations and exchange ideas related to student-centered IT services and the technology experience in higher education.

Miloš Topić

Vice President for IT and Chief Digital Officer, Grand Valley State University

Miloš Topić is Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer at Grand Valley State University. As vice president, Topić is the senior technology leader for the university and is responsible for the entire IT portfolio ranging from digital capabilities, infrastructure, security and application management across all of Grand Valley's academic and administrative areas.
Topić joined Grand Valley State University in August 2020 after serving as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Saint Peter's University, where he was responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing the day-to-day operations of two divisions, information technology and operations. He has over twenty years of experience in positions of increasing responsibilities focused primarily on technology, innovation, strategy, operations and leadership. His experiences range from startups to Fortune 1000 companies to contributing across multiple public and private universities. Miloš’ responsibilities and experiences have included customer experience; business development and product design; project and portfolio management; information security; network and system engineering as well as programming and web development.
Miloš formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics; Masters of Science in Information Systems; an MBA and a Ph.D. in Business Administration. His dissertation research was focused on the role of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in leading innovation within higher education. Additionally, Miloš is a frequent speaker on leadership, innovation, and building high-performing teams across a wide range of national professional networks and industries. Finally, Miloš has been advising corporate boards and C-suites on business strategy, digital possibilities, and innovation since 2008.

Thursday, August 6
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments
8:30 am Eastern	Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 am Eastern	Beyond the Pilot: Operationalizing AI Across Higher Education IT Artificial intelligence is quickly moving from experimentation to operational reality across higher education, but many institutions are still working to determine where AI can deliver meaningful value. This session will explore practical AI use cases already being implemented across admissions, student services, IT operations and administrative functions, while examining how institutions are balancing innovation, governance, staffing and long-term sustainability. Panelists will share real-world examples of AI-enabled automation, operational efficiencies and service improvements, along with lessons learned from moving beyond pilot programs into scalable institutional deployment. Moderator: Brian LaGoe, Director of Applications, Information Technology Services, University of Michigan – Dearborn Shyam Gedela, Interim Director, Information Technology Enterprise Services, Michigan State University Tim Niles, Executive Director of Enterprise Applications and Data, Central Michigan University Miloš Topić, Vice President for IT and Chief Digital Officer, Grand Valley State University
9:45 am Eastern	Networking Break
10:00 am Eastern	AI for Teaching, Learning and Research: Practical Models for the Modern Campus As AI adoption accelerates across higher education, institutions are navigating new opportunities and responsibilities surrounding teaching, learning and research. This session will focus on how colleges and universities are supporting AI literacy, faculty engagement, student success and research innovation through practical implementation strategies and governance models. Attendees will hear how institutions are approaching classroom integration, academic support, research applications and responsible AI adoption while preparing faculty, staff and students for an increasingly AI-driven future. Moderator: Marcio A. Oliveira, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, Associate Professor, Dept. Kinesiology, Office of the Provost, Michigan State University Richard E. Ferdig, MA, PhD, MPH, Summit Professor of Learning Technologies and Director, Learning and Technology Research Collaborative (LTRC), College of Aeronautics and Engineering, Kent State University Brendan Guenther, Ed.D., Chief Academic Digital Officer, Michigan State University Tarek M. Sobh, Ph.D., P.E., President, Lawrence Technological University
11:00 am Eastern	Modernizing Identity, Access and Data Governance for the AI Era As institutions expand automation, analytics and data-driven decision-making, longstanding challenges surrounding identity management, access controls and data governance are becoming increasingly complex. This session will explore how higher education IT leaders are modernizing identity and access management while creating governance frameworks that support secure, scalable, and efficient operations. Panelists will discuss practical strategies for addressing legacy systems, balancing data access with security requirements and creating governance models that support institutional collaboration, compliance and trust. Moderator: PJ Capelli, Security and Privacy Officer, Office of Information Technology, Western Michigan University Garrett McManaway, Chief Information Security Officer and Senior Director, Information Security and Compliance, Wayne State University Carrie Shumaker, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Strategy Officer, University of Michigan-Dearborn
12:00 pm Eastern	Lunch and Networking
1:00 pm Eastern	Building Resilient Institutions: Cybersecurity, Incident Response and Operational Continuity Higher education institutions continue to face growing cybersecurity threats, operational disruptions, and increasing reliance on interconnected technology systems. This interactive session will examine how colleges and universities are strengthening incident response planning, improving operational resilience and preparing for disruptions that impact learning, communications and campus operations. Through guided peer discussion, attendees will exchange lessons learned, contingency planning strategies and approaches for maintaining continuity during critical technology failures, outages and cybersecurity events. Moderator: Frank Feagan, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education
2:00 pm Eastern	From IT Support to Strategic Leadership: Positioning Technology as a Campus Partner As technology becomes increasingly embedded across every aspect of higher education, IT leaders are being asked to serve not only as operational experts, but also as strategic institutional partners. This session will explore how higher education technology leaders are navigating workforce challenges, building collaborative relationships across campus and positioning IT as a driver of innovation, student success and institutional transformation. Panelists will discuss leadership development, staff retention, organizational culture and strategies for helping technology teams evolve alongside the rapidly changing needs of higher education. Moderator: Bhavani Koneru, Chief Information Officer, University Technology Services, Oakland University Dan Arnold, Ph.D., Director of Support & Innovation, Provost Fellow for Artificial Intelligence, AP Association President, e-Learning and Instructional Support, Oakland University Laura Clark, Assistant Chief Information Officer, Information Technology, Michigan State University Amar Singh, Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Security Officer, St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Benjamin Stratton, Director of IT Customer Support and Student Experience Ambassador, Kettering University
3:00 pm Eastern	Closing Remarks
3:15 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Kochoff Hall at Renick University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn

4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
313-583-6330

Get Directions To
Kochoff Hall at Renick University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn

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

Laura Clark
Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Jonathon Conquest
Director of IT Operations
IT
Kettering University

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

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

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:

Lee Vang
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1407
E-mail: lvang@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

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Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit 2026

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Dan Arnold, Ph.D.

Director of Support and Innovation and Provost Fellow for Artificial Intelligence, Oakland University

PJ Capelli

Security and Privacy Officer, Office of Information Technology, Western Michigan University

Frank Feagans

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Shyam Gedela

Interim Director, Information Technology Enterprise Services, Michigan State University

Bhavani Koneru

Chief Information Officer, University Technology Services, Oakland University

Brian LaGoe

Director of Applications, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Tim Niles

Executive Director of Enterprise Applications and Data, Central Michigan University

Marcio A. Oliveira, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, Associate Professor, Dept. Kinesiology, Office of the Provost, Michigan State University

Carrie Shumaker

Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Strategy Officer, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Amar Singh

Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Security Officer, St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Tarek M. Sobh, Ph.D., P.E.

President, Lawrence Technological University

Benjamin Stratton

Director of IT Customer Support and Student Experience Ambassador, Kettering University

Miloš Topić

Vice President for IT and Chief Digital Officer, Grand Valley State University

Agenda

Thursday, August 6

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:30 am Eastern

Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 am Eastern

Beyond the Pilot: Operationalizing AI Across Higher Education IT

9:45 am Eastern

Networking Break

10:00 am Eastern

AI for Teaching, Learning and Research: Practical Models for the Modern Campus

11:00 am Eastern

Modernizing Identity, Access and Data Governance for the AI Era

12:00 pm Eastern

Lunch and Networking

1:00 pm Eastern

Building Resilient Institutions: Cybersecurity, Incident Response and Operational Continuity

2:00 pm Eastern

From IT Support to Strategic Leadership: Positioning Technology as a Campus Partner

3:00 pm Eastern

Closing Remarks

3:15 pm Eastern

End of Conference

Kochoff Hall at Renick University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Advisory Board

Education Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: August 6, 2026

Contact Information

Venue

Kochoff Hall at Renick University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn

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