Edge’s premier event, EdgeCon, returned to the campus of Princeton University on January 9 for the Winter 2025 session, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the higher education sector. This year’s conference explored the growing impact of technology across institutions and the entire student lifecycle, offering a wealth of opportunities for networking, professional development, and community building.
EdgeCon’s insightful and inspiring content invited participants to rethink the role of technology in shaping the future of education and to engage in meaningful discussions on how to leverage these innovations for lasting institutional success. Attendees explored the latest advancements in data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies and how these tools, when combined with strategic vision, can transform institutional operations, enhance the student experience, and build greater resiliency for the future.
Advancing Data-Driven Decisions in Higher Education
EdgeCon’s keynote panel discussion, Advancing Data-Driven Decisions in Higher Education: Overcoming Barriers and Harnessing Analytics, was moderated by Nicole Muscanell, Ph.D., Researcher, Research & Insights, Educause, and explored the evolving role of analytics in higher education. As the author of the recent Educause Analytics Landscape Study, Muscanell shared insights from this research and joined panelists, Trina Das, Ph.D., Associate Vice Provost, Decision Support & Data Integrity, Villanova University, and Rob Snyder, Director of Analytics and Special Projects, Ithaca College, to discuss the key challenges facing many institutions. Together, they explored the gap in dedicated analytics leadership, the shift from descriptive to predictive analytics, and the strategic integration of AI and other emerging technology tools. The discussion also explored ways institutions can leverage analytics to drive student success, foster collaboration across departments, and encourage innovation while practicing responsible data governance and security.
“I wanted to commend the Edge team for an excellent conference this week. Everything felt incredibly well-organized and smoothly executed. Given the current constraints of limited travel budgets and resources, conferences like this are more valuable than ever. Edge has successfully delivered a day packed with the very best of an Educause-like experience at a nominal cost—truly an impressive feat. Thanks again for a great opportunity!”
–Leonard D.
Senior Vice President and CIO
Transforming Communication
One of the day’s first breakout sessions included Transforming Communication: The Zoom Phone Project at Stevens Institute of Technology led by the university’s Maryam Mirza, Senior Director for IT, Client Experience and Strategic Initiatives; Hammad Ali, Senior Director of Infrastructure Services; and Luis Quispe, Associate Director of Networking and Telecom Engineering. The session provided a fascinating overview of the successful implementation of the Zoom Phone project at Stevens which aimed to modernize the campus communication infrastructure by transitioning from traditional phone systems to the innovative Zoom Phone service.
Presenters shared the change management strategies employed to facilitate this significant shift, including comprehensive user training, stakeholder engagement, and continuous support. These 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. Attendees also gained a look into the collaborative efforts of the IT team with institutional stakeholders and how they could apply the valuable lessons of the Stevens team to upgrading their own communication systems back on campus.
The Phase Shift in HigherEd Computing
Robert Clougherty, CIO, Drew University, led the breakout session, Phase Shift in HigherEd Computing: Navigating the Liminal Space Between Past and Future, to discuss how institutions can manage the transition between the past and the future. With organizations facing a choice between relying on the stability of legacy systems or embracing the transformative potential of emerging technologies, there can be considerable challenges in navigating the dichotomy between these paradigms.
Grounded in Per Bak’s theory of self-organized criticality and Pierre Lévy’s phases of human development, the discussion highlighted how small technological shifts can catalyze systemic transformation. The discussion emphasized 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. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the critical decisions shaping higher ed computing and strategies to help position their campuses as leaders in this transformative era.
Data-Assisted Advising
Across the U.S., 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.
Dr. John Harnisher, Head of Education Initiatives, DataKind, shared their approach to working with institutions across the country to tackle this challenge 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. Harnisher shares lessons learned in both predictive model development and implementation in the field, best practices for preparing an institution’s data for engagement, how DataKind approaches product scaling, and ways for institutions to get involved in this work.
The Intersection of AI, Education, and Industry
As AI continues to revolutionize various sectors, its impact on education and industry becomes increasingly significant. The panel discussion, AI, Education, and Industry: Bridging the Gap for the Future & Current Workforce, explored 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 are for future careers. Stefanie Toye, Project Manager, The Learning & Development Initiative, New Jersey Institute of Technology; tech visionary, speaker, and author, Rachael Mann; and Monk Inyang, Co-Founder, 1st Street Partnerships, led this interactive discussion about how they see AI being used in formal and informal educational settings at various levels.
The group also delved into how Career and Technical Education (CTE), creative industries, and academia are adapting to technological changes and preparing learners for the evolving workforce. The audience asked questions about how these experts see AI being used in formal and informal educational settings, which tools they think are most useful for different populations, and what skills will be necessary to flourish in this rapidly changing economy and workforce.
”Thank you for providing such an accessible and affordable conference with a good selection of presenters. The science gateway workshop on the 8th was also highly valuable as we’re right in the middle of a Gateway project.”
–Peter G.
Research Computing System Admin
Business Process Management in Higher Education
Business Process Management (BPM) is transforming higher education by enhancing efficiency, reducing redundancies, and aligning institutional operations with strategic goals. This session led by Stephanie Thomas, Business Process Architect, Edge, explored how BPM can streamline workflows across the higher education enterprise while supporting cost savings and operational agility. Attendees learned how BPM empowers institutions to adapt to evolving challenges, such as technological advancements and regulatory requirements, while maintaining a strategic focus. Thomas also shared insights into leveraging BPM for improved outcomes and sustainable institutional success in a rapidly changing landscape.
Building Scalable Mentorship Programs for Lifelong Success
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 breakout session, presenters Ashley Scales, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Nicole Stewart, SVP, Campus Partnerships, PeopleGrove, shared how higher education institutions can build scalable mentorship programs that drive both immediate and long-term success. The presentation broke down 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. By exploring case studies and best practices from peer universities, attendees learned how to maximize engagement, enhance student outcomes, and foster long-lasting relationships that benefit both students and alumni throughout their careers.
Navigating AI in Cyber Security and Network Operations
John Bruggeman, CISO, CBTS; Kirk Rooney, Solutions Architect, CBTS; and Chris Treib, CIO, Geneva College, explored the evolving role of AI in cybersecurity and network operations in this insightful breakout session. Navigating AI in Cyber Security and Network Operations delved into the risks and rewards of deploying AI in security frameworks and how AI-driven operations are enhancing network efficiency and end-user experiences. Chris Treib of Geneva College also shared his journey implementing AI Operations in a real-world educational setting, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and future-ready skill sets.
”Learned so much and left feeling very inspired! Thanks for the great experience!”
–Casey K.
Associate Director
Modern Technology Solutions
In The Digital and Data-Driven Center for Teaching and Learning, John Baldino, OFS, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Lackawanna College, explored best practices for using communication technology, digital content and marketing platforms, AI, and collected data to create a sustainable Center for Teaching and Learning model. This model will empower CTLs to support faculty in their academic success.
Joining EdgeCon from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Satasha Green-Stephen, Senior Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, and Jacquelyn Bailey, Vice Chancellor of Information Technology & CIO, led the breakout session, NextGen: The Role of Technology in Achieving Equity. This presentation explored how the 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.
With a desire to have a more robust and relevant technology ecosystem supporting student success and to provide equitable access to data and data democratization, presenters discussed Minnesota State’s NextGen Project mission to link all of its 26 Colleges, 7 Universities and 54 campuses through a unified administrative technology system. The goal is to improve the student experience and streamline enterprise-wide business processes in the student support and services divisions.
Improving Performance and Security Monitoring
Princeton University’s Director of Enterprise Monitoring Services, Joseph Karam, outlined a model for providing comprehensive monitoring services that enhanced performance, availability, reliability, and security across the University’s IT services. By partnering with various departments, he shared how the team gained visibility into the entire campus infrastructure and identified impacts and opportunities for improvement. The model integrated monitoring practices into project, incident, and change management processes, which enabled availability reporting for cloud services to ensure SLAs were met, and provided root cause analysis for incidents and performance reporting for services before and after major changes. Karam shared how this holistic approach aims to continually improve the University’s IT services and support strategic decision-making.
Upskilling and Reskilling in the Age of AI
In an era where advanced technology 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 led by Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost, New Jersey Institute of Technology, introduced 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.
Edmondson shared that the true value lies in developing the capacity to learn, unlearn, and relearn in a constantly evolving technological landscape. He explained that 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.
We’ve Got People Talking!
Leveraging Data Visualization
Kean University’s Neva Lozada, Associate Vice President of Administration, and Michael Salvatore, Senior Vice President of Administration, explored the pivotal role of data visualization for driving institutional effectiveness in Leveraging Data Visualization for Institutional Effectiveness. In today’s data-driven world, higher education institutions face the challenge of harnessing the power of data to enhance their effectiveness. This session shared an inside look at the inception of the Division of Strategic Analytics and Data Illumination, and how it empowered the Kean community to access, analyze, and utilize data to support decision-making and foster innovation. Through historical and real-time student data, attendees gained the highlights of how Kean is utilizing data visualization in transforming datasets into actionable insights and fostering the data-driven culture across the institution.
Powering Intelligent Solutions for Higher Education
In AI and Machine Learning: Powering Intelligent Solutions for Higher Education, attendees learned about a recent 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 session explored how AI and ML can support the automation of talent acquisition, streamline employee onboarding, and facilitate data-driven workforce planning. Participants also discovered how AI-powered analytics provide valuable insights empowering campus leaders to make informed decisions and drive institutional growth, while helping transform institutional functions and unlocking new insights about faculty, staff, and students.
In another afternoon session, AI-Driven Solutions for Enhancing Technology Operations and Resource Utilization in Academic Institutions, Mahmudul Siddiquee, Enterprise Application Architect, Rowan University, presented innovative AI-driven solutions designed to enhance technology operations and optimize resource utilization in academic institutions. During this presentation, Siddiquee focused 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.
Solution Two is designed to assist technical teams in developing custom solutions, creating architecture designs, and considering additional aspects based on customer requirements. This aims to aid project management teams in gaining diverse perspectives and innovative ideas. Siddiquee shared that 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.
Zero Trust Architecture
In today’s world of remote work, cloud computing, and relentless cyber threats, traditional security models are no longer enough. Dr. Dawn Dunkerley, Principal Virtual Chief Information Security Officer, Edge, led the panel discussion, The Role of Zero Trust Architecture in Modern Technology & Security Strategy, to talk about Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and explore its core principles and actionable strategies to transform an organization’s security posture. By adopting a “never trust, always verify” mindset, institutions can rethink their security strategy and better embrace the future. Dunkerley explained that whether institutions are just starting their Zero Trust journey, looking to refine their strategy, or want to understand this modern architecture, Edge can help them build a more resilient and secure organization.
Breaking the Rules of Possibility with AI
In When Zero Divides: Breaking the Rules of Possibility with AI, Viktoria Popova, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Analytics, and Planning, CAIO, Centenary University, examined how generative AI can address critical points in an academic network. By leveraging AI’s ability to operate across multiple conceptual frameworks, the session demonstrated how seemingly impossible problems can be transformed into navigable solutions. Using real university case studies—from student program migration patterns to course network topology—the discussion highlighted how quantum-inspired thinking and AI-human collaboration can reshape approaches to complex academic structures.
Bridging Safety Innovation and Education
PruTech Solutions and Rutgers University co-hosted the session, Bridging Safety Innovation and Education: A Collaborative AI-Driven Approach, to share with attendees
the development and implementation of Intellisafety, an AI-driven safety management application. Presenters Karl Erber, CTO, PruTech Solutions, Inc.; John Makdis, Rutgers University Student Contributor, MBS Program; Christopher Di Paolo, Rutgers University Contributor MBS Program; and Will Brown, CAO, PruTech Solutions, Inc., shared 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 also shared their insights from spring and fall semester projects, including competitive analysis, market outreach, and solution enhancement. Attendees gained a closer look at this collaboration and how it exemplifies ways academia and industry can work together to create innovative, scalable safety solutions for educational institutions.
“The panels were fascinating, the company was pleasant, and the atmosphere was both comforting and promoted deep thought. Overall it was a fantastic experience and I am looking forward to future events”
–Ethan A.
Senior Institutional Research Analyst
Bringing together some of the brightest minds in education, EdgeCon offers a unique opportunity for participants to learn key insights and engage in dynamic conversations about the evolving landscape of higher education. The event provided a platform for the community to collaborate, explore new ideas, and identify strategies that promote collective progress and can support the growth of institutions nationwide. “I wanted to commend the Edge team for an excellent conference this week,” shared Leonard De Botton, Senior Vice President and CIO, Berkeley College. “Everything felt incredibly well-organized and smoothly executed. Given the current constraints of limited travel budgets and resources, conferences like this are more valuable than ever. Edge has successfully delivered a day packed with the very best of an Educause-like experience at a nominal cost—truly an impressive feat. Thanks again for a great opportunity!”
“The sessions were engaging, in particular the presentation from MN State Universities System on their Workday implementation. Thanks to Edge for bringing together this event, and also for providing space for the CIO Affinity Group to meet on Wednesday afternoon.”
–Jeff B.
CIO
Celebrating Achievements and Contributions
In recognition of the outstanding achievements and contributions of higher education institutions throughout the region, Edge honored several stand outs at this year’s event.
The CIO Community Leadership Award was presented to Scott Huston, Chief Information Officer at Stockton University, in recognition of his key leadership role in the growing Edge CIO Affinity Group. Technological advancement and collaboration within the CIO ranks have always been central to Edge’s mission, and this focus has become even more critical as IT plays an increasingly vital role in advancing the goals of higher education. Edge is proud to provide a platform for CIOs to collaborate and is honored to highlight Scott Huston’s exceptional contributions through this award.
Edge was proud to present the Regional Network Partnership Award to Bucknell University, the first institution to join the Edge network beyond New Jersey. This award recognizes Bucknell’s vision and commitment to fostering connectivity and strategic partnerships. As a core foundational element of Edge, the network plays a pivotal role in bringing institutions together, and Bucknell has exemplified what is possible when collaboration is prioritized. This milestone highlights the university’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to progress within the higher education community.
The Community Comeback Award was presented to Drew University in recognition of its significant contributions and progress within the Edge network. Drew University reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration and excellence by rejoining the network, highlighting the value of community and the strength of a shared vision. Their return demonstrates exceptional leadership and a dedication to enhancing innovation and performance through partnership. We are pleased to welcome Drew University back to the Edge network and present this award to Chief Information Officer, Bob Clougherty, who accepted on behalf of the institution.
The Procurement and Partnership Award was presented to Geneva College in recognition of their exceptional collaboration and engagement with the full potential of cooperative procurement. Rather than viewing procurement solely as a legal function, Geneva College has embraced it as a strategic tool for achieving shared goals. As a private institution outside of New Jersey, Geneva has forged a new pathway to partnership by actively participating in the EdgeMarket co-op and the broader Edge community. Their commitment to leveraging collective resources and expertise highlights their dedication to innovation and community building. We are honored to celebrate Geneva College’s forward-thinking approach to enhancing service and value for their institution.
Sharon Blanton, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at The College of New Jersey, was recognized with the Community Leadership Award for her exceptional leadership and contributions to the Edge community. A dynamic leader in technology and operations at her home institution, Sharon has also been a key advisor and collaborator within the Edge consortium. As a longtime board member, she has played a crucial role in shaping the vision of the organization to better serve its members. Highly respected by her peers in the CIO community, Sharon was instrumental in relaunching the Edge CIO affinity group at last year’s Spring conference.
The Cyber Vanguard Award recognizes individuals who lead the charge in safeguarding the future of education through resilience, foresight, and dedication. This year, we are honored to present the award to Brad Morton of Passaic County Community College. Under Brad’s leadership, Passaic County has set a high standard for the higher education sector by implementing proactive security measures, promoting a culture of cyber awareness, and ensuring the protection of the learning environment for students, faculty, and staff alike. Brad’s work truly embodies the spirit of this award.
CIO Community Leadership Award
Scott Huston
Stockton University
Regional Network Partnership Award
Bucknell University
Community Comeback Award
Drew University
Cyber Vanguard Award
Brad Morton
Passaic County Community College
Community Leadership Award
Sharon Blanton
The College of New Jersey
Procurement and Partnership Award
Geneva College
Breakout Sessions
9:40-10:20 — Breakout Session 1
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
10:30-11:10 — Breakout Session 2
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
1:40-2:20 — Breakout Session 3
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:
2:30-3:10 — Breakout Session 4
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.
VIP Sponsors
Exhibitor Sponsors
