EdgeCon Winter 2025

Jadwin Hall, A07

Join us for an insightful session on the successful implementation of the Zoom Phone project at Stevens Institute of Technology. This initiative aimed to modernize the campus communication infrastructure by transitioning from traditional phone systems to the innovative Zoom Phone service. The project involved meticulous planning, procurement, and deployment phases, ensuring a seamless transition for all departments.

We will delve into the change management strategies employed to facilitate this significant shift, including comprehensive user training, stakeholder engagement, and continuous support. The project management efforts were pivotal in coordinating the migration of facilities phones, decommissioning outdated systems, and ensuring compliance with new regulations such as the Ray Baum Act and Kari’s Law.

Discover how the collaborative efforts of the IT team with institutional stakeholders led to the project’s success. We will share key insights, challenges faced, and the remarkable outcomes achieved, including enhanced remote work capabilities, improved emergency calling services, and significant cost savings.

This session will provide valuable lessons for institutions looking to upgrade their communication systems and navigate the complexities of large-scale IT projects.

Presenters:

• Maryam Mirza, Senior Director for IT, Client Experience and Strategic Initiatives, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Hammad Ali, Senior Director of Infrastructure Services, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Luis Quispe, Associate Director of Networking and Telecom Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology

Jadwin Hall, A08

Higher education technology is undergoing a pivotal phase shift, navigating the liminal space between the past and the future. Institutions face a stark choice: retreat into the stability of legacy systems or embrace the transformative potential of emerging technologies. This presentation explores the dichotomy between these paradigms, contrasting the structured, productivity-focused past—characterized by databases, deterministic algorithms, and tools like the Microsoft Office Suite—with the unstructured, human-centered future, defined by AI, cloud computing, Python, and automation.

Grounded in Per Bak’s theory of self-organized criticality and Pierre Lévy’s phases of human development, the discussion highlights how small technological shifts can catalyze systemic transformation. It emphasizes the transition from structured data to unstructured intelligence, from repetition to adaptive machine learning, and from quantity-driven productivity to quality-focused collaboration between humans and AI.

The session challenges institutions to confront the “no middle” reality: clinging to legacy systems limits innovation, while adopting future-focused technologies enables resilience, adaptability, and intelligence augmentation. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the critical decisions shaping HigherEd computing and strategies to position their campuses as leaders in this transformative era.

Presenter:

• Robert Clougherty, CIO, Drew University

Jadwin Hall, A09

Across the US, students are taking more time to finish their degree programs, or are dropping out before completion, leading to low graduation rates and long-term financial burdens. Advisors are key to ensuring individual student belonging and increasing student success outcomes, but with caseloads of 350 students or more, they can miss out on important information about their students. Getting the right analytics into advisors’ hands allows them to reach students who may be facing obstacles in completing their degree as soon as needs for support emerge.

In this session, DataKind will share their approach to working with institutions across the country to tackle this problem by leveraging machine learning and AI to identify which students are most in need of support and why. DataKind is building a nationwide cohort of institutions leveraging this data-assisted advising product through a philanthropy funded engagement with support from Google.org. By using predictive models trained on an institution’s unique data, the institutions that DataKind works with are able to equip advising staff with the analytics they need to provide students with the correct resources and level of support to enable student success in degree completion and beyond. 

The presentation will cover lessons learned in both predictive model development and implementation in the field, best practices for preparing your institution’s data for engagement, how DataKind approaches product scaling, and ways for institutions to get involved in this work.

Presenter:

• Dr. John Harnisher, Head of Education Initiatives, DataKind

Jadwin Hall, A10

Whether you use AI regularly or are just starting to learn about it, AI is not going anywhere. As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize various sectors, its impact on education and industry becomes increasingly significant. This panel discussion aims to explore the intersection of AI, education, and industry, focusing on what industry wants, what students are learning formally and on their own, and what the implications for future careers—and the respective training needed for them—are. We will delve into how Career and Technical Education (CTE), creative industries, and academia are adapting to these technological changes and preparing learners for the evolving workforce.  

Panelists include 1st Street Partnerships Co-Founder and AI strategist Monk Inyang; the tech visionary, speaker, and author Rachael Mann; and a current New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) student or graduate. We will entertain questions after asking our panelists how they see AI being used in formal and informal educational settings at various levels, which tools they think are most useful for different populations, and what skills they think are necessary to flourish in this rapidly changing economy and workforce. What do these trends and considerations all mean for you whether you’re a student, a working professional, or an educator? A team member from the Learning and Development Initiative at NJIT/New Jersey Innovation Institute will moderate and facilitate audience questions and discussion. 

Participants:

• Stefanie Toye, Project Manager, The Learning & Development Initiative, New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Rachael Mann, Keynote Speaker | TEDx Speaker | AI in CTE Strategist | Author of Pack Your Bags for an AI-Driven-Future, The Martians in Your Classroom, The CTSO Competition Companion | 2022 Top 30 Global Gurus
• Monk Inyang, Co-Founder, 1st Street Partnerships

McDonnell Hall, A01

Business Process Management (BPM) is transforming higher education by enhancing efficiency, reducing redundancies, and aligning institutional operations with strategic goals. This session will explore how BPM streamlines workflows across the higher education enterprise while supporting cost savings and operational agility. Learn how BPM empowers institutions to adapt to evolving challenges, such as technological advancements and regulatory requirements, while maintaining a strategic focus. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging BPM for improved outcomes and sustainable institutional success in a rapidly changing landscape.

Presenter:

• Stephanie Thomas, Business Process Architect, Edge

Jadwin Hall, A07

Effective mentorship programs are essential to career access and can significantly impact key institutional outcomes such as retention, graduation rates, and alumni engagement. In this session, we will explore how higher education institutions can build scalable mentorship programs that drive both immediate and long-term success. 

The presentation will dive into strategies for matching mentors and mentees using PeopleGrove’s AI-powered technology, which streamlines the mentorship process by intelligently connecting individuals based on a variety of criteria, including industry, identity, academic background, personal interests, and career aspirations. By leveraging these multi-dimensional similarity points, PeopleGrove’s platform ensures more meaningful and relevant mentorship experiences, fostering deeper relationships that drive student and alumni satisfaction.

Furthermore, PeopleGrove offers robust data collection and analysis tools that provide institutions with real-time insights into mentorship effectiveness. These data-driven reports track key metrics such as student engagement in mentorship activities, retention rates, and career progression, offering a clear view of first-destination outcomes. Institutions can also measure the long-term impact of mentorship on alumni engagement and giving, making it easier to demonstrate a return on investment to leadership and stakeholders. By offering this comprehensive visibility, PeopleGrove empowers institutions to continuously optimize their mentorship programs, ensuring that they not only meet student needs but also align with institutional goals such as increasing alumni giving and building a lifelong culture of philanthropy.

In this session, attendees will gain actionable insights on how to build mentorship programs that are scalable, data-driven, and impactful. By exploring case studies and best practices from peer universities, attendees will learn how to maximize engagement, enhance student outcomes, and foster long-lasting relationships that benefit both students and alumni throughout their careers.

Presenters:

• Ashley Scales, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Nicole Stewart, SVP, Campus Partnerships, PeopleGrove

Jadwin Hall, A08

Join John Bruggeman, Consulting CISO, for an insightful session exploring the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in cybersecurity and network operations. Delve into the risks and rewards of deploying AI in security frameworks and discover how AI-driven operations are enhancing network efficiency and end-user experiences. Additionally, hear from Chris Treib of Geneva College as he shares his journey implementing AI Operations in a real-world educational setting, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and future-ready skillsets. This session is a must for anyone looking to understand the transformative impact of AI on the cybersecurity landscape.

Presenters:

• John Bruggeman, CISO, CBTS
• Kirk Rooney, Solutions Architect, CBTS
• Chris Treib, CIO, Geneva College

Jadwin Hall, A09

This session will explore best practices for using communication technology, digital content and marketing platforms, artificial intelligence, and collected data to create a sustainable Center for Teaching and Learning model. The model will empower CTLs to support faculty in their academic success. 

Presenter:

• John Baldino, OFS, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Lackawanna College

Jadwin Hall, A10

This session will explore how Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, the fourth largest system in the nation, will deploy a commercial modern technology solution systemwide in response to obsolete technology in its legacy system; a desire to have a more robust and relevant technology ecosystem supporting student success; an increased importance of educational equity and student access; and a need to provide equitable access to data and data democratization.

Minnesota State’s NextGen Project will link all of its 26 Colleges, 7 Universities and 54 campuses through a unified administrative technology system that will improve the student experience and streamlines enterprise-wide business processes in the student support and services divisions. 

Presenters:

• Satasha Green-Stephen , Senior Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
• Jacquelyn Bailey, Vice Chancellor of Information Technology & CIO, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Jadwin Hall, A07

This session will outline a model to provide performance, availability, reliability and security monitoring services for services around the University to improve IT services.  We partner with many departments to have visibility across the University to find impacts and improvements across services.  We also embed monitoring practices and procedures in project, incident and change management to provide:

• Availability reporting for cloud services to ensure SLAs are being met
• Root cause analysis for incidents
• Performance reporting for services before and after major changes

Presenter:

• Joseph Karam, Director, Enterprise Monitoring Services, Princeton University

Jadwin Hall, A08

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, the key to maintaining a competitive edge lies not only in adopting AI technologies but also in embracing a mindset focused on continuous learning and adaptability. This workshop introduces the AI Upskilling Taxonomy that emphasizes the importance of reskilling the workforce with a focus on essential skills, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience, in addition to just technical expertise. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the need to shift from mere AI adoption to fostering a growth mindset that encourages personal and professional development. The true value lies in developing the capacity to learn, unlearn, and relearn in a constantly evolving technological landscape. Individuals and organizations that prioritize lifelong learning and proactive upskilling can navigate the uncertainties of AI integration more effectively. This holistic approach empowers employees to not only keep up with technological advancements but also to use AI as a tool to augment their own capabilities. As a result, fostering a culture of continuous improvement will be crucial in preparing New Jersey’s workforce for the future.   

Presenter:

• Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Jadwin Hall, A09

In today’s data-driven world, higher education institutions face the challenge of harnessing the power of data to enhance their effectiveness. Through the inception of the Division of Strategic Analytics and Data Illumination, Kean University has empowered its community to access, analyze, and utilize data to support decision-making and foster innovation. This presentation explores the pivotal role of data visualization for driving institutional effectiveness, offering insight into how visual representation of data can drive informed and streamline decision-making. Through our historical and real-time student data, attendees will gain the highlights of how Kean is utilizing data visualization in transforming datasets into actionable insights and fostering the data-driven culture across the institution. By leveraging data visualization strategies, institutions can make more informed decisions, gain deeper insights, and achieve their goals with greater efficiency and impact.    

Presenters:

• Neva Lozada, Associate Vice President of Administration, Kean University
• Michael Salvatore, Senior Vice President of Administration, Kean University

Jadwin Hall, A10

This session will delve into the latest study conducted by Workday, which examines the state of AI in the enterprise, including the benefits, challenges, and opportunities perceived by business & educational leaders. The study reveals that 93% of organizational leaders emphasize the importance of human involvement in AI decision-making processes. While 80% agree that AI and ML improve employee efficiency and decision-making, concerns persist regarding the reliability of underlying data (77%) and ethical application (29%). 

Objectives: 

The session will explore how AI and ML can support the automation of talent acquisition, streamline employee onboarding, and facilitate data-driven workforce planning. Participants will discover how AI-powered analytics provide valuable insights empowering campus leaders to make informed decisions and drive institutional growth. 

Join us to discover how AI and ML are transforming institutional functions and explore the immense potential these technologies hold for institutions striving to enhance productivity, drive innovation, and unlock new insights on their faculty, staff and students. Gain valuable insights, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and explore the future of intelligent higher-ed  solutions.

Presenter:

Jadwin Hall, A07

This session aims to present innovative AI-driven solutions designed to enhance technology operations and optimize resource utilization in academic institutions. The focus will be on two conceptual solutions. 

Solution One is tailored for academic institution users, including students, faculty, and administrative staff, to overcome decision-making difficulties and resource constraints by utilizing existing technology. It features requirement analysis, a recommendation system for optimal technology platforms, resource optimization, system comparisons, user training, and advanced research tools. The benefits include cost savings, improved efficiency, better decision-making, increased research productivity, enhanced collaboration, and time savings. 

Solution Two, on the other hand, is designed to assist technical teams in developing custom solutions, creating architecture designs, and considering additional aspects based on customer requirements. This will aid project management teams in gaining diverse perspectives and innovative ideas. 

By implementing these AI-driven solutions, academic institutions can significantly enhance their operational efficiency and resource utilization, ultimately leading to a better educational experience for all stakeholders. 

Presenter:

• Mahmudul Siddiquee, Enterprise Application Architect, Rowan University

Jadwin Hall, A08

In today’s world of remote work, cloud computing, and relentless cyber threats, traditional security models are no longer enough. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is the modern approach to securing your organization by adopting a “never trust, always verify” mindset.

Join us for this panel discussion where we’ll demystify Zero Trust, explore its core principles, and provide actionable strategies to transform your security posture. 

Whether you’re just starting your Zero Trust journey, looking to refine your strategy, or want to understand this modern architecture, this session is designed to help you build a more resilient and secure organization.

Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink your security and embrace the future!

Presenter:

• Dr. Dawn Dunkerley, Principal Virtual Chief Information Security Officer, Edge

Jadwin Hall, A09

What happens at the edge of impossible? In physics, the “impossible” division by zero becomes meaningful at singularities. Similarly, critical points in academic networks—program transition bottlenecks and course centrality nodes—represent organizational singularities where traditional analysis breaks down. This session explores how generative AI’s unique ability to operate across multiple conceptual frameworks can transform these seemingly impossible problems into navigable solutions. Through real university cases—from student program migration patterns to course network topology—we’ll demonstrate how quantum-inspired thinking and AI-human collaboration can fundamentally reshape our approach to complex academic structures. 

Presenter:

• Viktoria Popova, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Analytics, and Planning, CAIO, Centenary University 

Jadwin Hall, A10

Join PruTech Solutions and Rutgers University for a session highlighting the development and implementation of Intellisafety, an AI-driven safety management application. Learn how PruTech partnered with Rutgers’ MBS Externship Exchange Program to conduct research, marketing, and product testing in K-12 and higher education settings. Rutgers students will share their insights from spring and fall semester projects, including competitive analysis, market outreach, and solution enhancement. Discover how this innovative collaboration bridges academia and industry to create impactful, scalable safety solutions for educational institutions.

Presenters:

• Karl Erber, CTO, PruTech Solutions, Inc.
• John Makdis, Rutgers University Student Contributor, MBS Program
• Christopher Di Paolo, Rutgers University Contributor MBS Program
• Will Brown, CAO, PruTech Solutions, Inc.