General Sessions Cover Top Issues in Higher Education IT
Tressie McMillan Cottom, a MacArthur Fellow, cultural critic, sociologist and award-winning writer will open EDUCAUSE 2023 on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in a moderated fireside chat. She will discuss pressing issues in higher education, the future of work and technology.
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Susan Grajek, EDUCAUSE's vice president for partnerships, communities and research, will present the organization's annual Top 10 IT Issues for 2024. She will outline why higher education leadership must expand beyond growth and innovation to address risk and prepare for what lies ahead.
On Thursday, Oct. 12, keynote speaker and sociologist Kim Lear will discuss generational trends in the workforce and explain why multigenerational teams often outperform homogenous groups. In her talk, “Prepare for the Future,” she will discuss how these trends play a role in higher education, both in the workplace and in interactions with parents and students.
LOOK BACK: EDUCAUSE’s 2022 Top 10 Higher Ed IT Issues list addressed foundational models.
Don’t Miss These EDUCAUSE 2023 Presentations and Panels
The conference agenda includes hundreds of timely and thought-provoking sessions covering the latest in higher education technology. Here are a few we think you shouldn't miss:
- At “Supplier Diversity: Be Intentional about Doing Business with a Diverse Group of IT Providers,” experts from CDW and the University of Massachusetts will discuss why doing business with diverse suppliers is important for promoting economic equity and social justice.
- At “CISO to Operations: Cybersecurity Remote Office and Retention Wins,” members of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s cybersecurity team will discuss their experience with giving staff hybrid and flexible work options.
- Artificial intelligence is a hot topic at EDUCAUSE this year, for good reason. Sessions such as “Beyond ChatGPT: Exploration of AI in Higher Education” and “The End of Business as Usual: Embracing Generative AI within Higher Ed” will explore AI’s place in higher education today and in the future.
- At “What Students Want CIOs to Know,” attendees will hear from a panel of students offering feedback to higher ed IT leaders about what’s working and where they might find opportunities for change.
- At “Representation Matters: Getting IT Staff Involved in DEI Events On and Off Campus,” a panel will discuss how university IT staff can build a community that prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion to create inclusive spaces where all cultures are welcome.
- At “Esports: A New Evolution in Learner Support and Community Development,” a panel of esports leaders will discuss how esports has shaped their institutions.
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