Washington Higher Education IT Leadership Summit 2024
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.
Speakers
Agenda
Wednesday, November 13 |
|
8:00 am Pacific |
Registration and Light Breakfast |
9:00 am Pacific |
Welcome and Introductions |
9:05 am Pacific |
Navigating and Securing Value to Sustain the IT Organization and InvestmentNavigating a complex technology landscape with limited resources and limited ownership requires new strategies for communicating the value of investment. With increasing reliance on cloud computing and software as service, how do higher education CIOs plan for and prioritize upgrades, ensure cybersecurity, and embrace innovation while staying within budget? Explore the strategies CIOs use to navigate tight budgets and still keep up with technology's fast pace. The panel will cover important topics like: |
10:00 am Pacific |
Break |
10:20 am Pacific |
Shedding the Silos: Data Integration and Data SharingLeveraging Big Data means breaking through tech barriers responsibly. Even within an institution there needs to be greater data integration, while cross-institutional needs for electronic transcript sharing and data analysis grow with the needs to process and plan, and to do this across educational levels as well as across institutions. Discover how your peers are managing these challenges and breaking through the data silos. The panel will cover important topics like: |
11:10 am Pacific |
Change Management: Steering Through the Currents of TransformationAs enrollment trends fluctuate and funding changes, as regulations grow increasingly complex, and as innovations like AI continue to evolve, how can CIOs effectively manage organizational shifts and transitions in higher education? This panel will share experiences in leading change initiatives and overcoming resistance. Attendees will learn strategies for engaging stakeholders, building buy-in, and minimizing disruption. Discussion topics will include: |
12:00 pm Pacific |
Morning Wrap-up and Lunch |
1:00 pm Pacific |
Aligning Innovations like AI with Risk Management and ROIHow can higher education CIOs navigate the exciting, yet often risky, world of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence? AI, rapidly evolving and intensely controversial, is a useful focus for evaluating opportunities, mitigating risks, and aligning innovation with institutional goals. Attendees will gain knowledge of actionable strategies for balancing innovation with risk, understanding cost/benefit scenarios and timelines, and learn more about frameworks and tools that can support informed decision-making. Discussion points will include: Corrie Wilder, Ed.D., Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, Washington State University Everett |
1:50 pm Pacific |
Industry Tech Talk - AI in Higher Education – What Tech Partners Need Higher Education to KnowThis 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: Charles Elliott, Field Chief Technology Officer & Practice Lead, Google Cloud |
2:45 pm Pacific |
Break |
3:00 pm Pacific |
Around the Room Conversation: What else needs to be on the IT Priority List?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 Pacific |
Closing Thoughts and Wrap UpConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
Greater Tacoma Convention Center
1500 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 830-6601
Greater Tacoma Convention Center
Advisory Board
Education Representatives
Daniel Bauer
Associate Director of Technology Services
Infrastructure & Applications, Technology Services
Everett Community College
Marshall Fryberger
Director of IT
Washington State University Everett
Jon Junell
Associate Director & Principal IT Architect
Western Washington University
Ted Loran
Chief Information Officer
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State of Washington
Registration Information / Contact Us
Contact Information
2025 Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:
Heather Earney
Center for Digital Education
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com