9:00-9:50 AM
The Future of Collegiate Esports: Trends and Opportunities, Presented by Jacob VanRyn, Executive Commissioner - National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC)
Explore the rapid growth of collegiate esports, the integration of esports into academic programs, and the evolving landscape of esports scholarships. The session could also discuss how colleges can prepare students for careers in the esports industry, both on and off the competitive stage.
Laying the Foundation: Building a Responsible and Strategic AI Future at Ithaca College, Presented by Casey Kendall, Deputy CIO, Ithaca College & Jenna Lamb, Coordinator of AI Initiatives and Senior IT Project Manager
At Ithaca College, AI is not just a trend; it is an emerging strategic tool with the potential to enhance the student experience, optimize operations, and support informed decision-making. As AI evolves rapidly, higher education must adapt thoughtfully, ensuring that integration aligns with institutional values and goals. Today, we will explore our progress, the challenges we’ve faced, and the ways we are setting the foundation for responsible and innovative AI use at Ithaca College.
Incident Response Table Tops: Strategy and Implementation, Presented by F. Paul Greene, CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, FIP, Partner, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
The most valuable exercise an organization can undertake to ensure that it is ready to handle a security incident is to practice before the incident strikes. An incident response table-top exercise can be crucial in this regard, giving your organization the opportunity to pressure test your incident response plan, and build cohesion in your incident response team, before the team has to respond in real life. A good table top requires planning, and strategy, however. This presentation will discuss the benefits and risks inherent in running an incident response table to at your organization, with a special focus on the education space. It will provide you with proven strategies for maximizing table-top effectiveness, and end with a mini-simulation to demonstrate those strategies in practice. The simulation will build upon real-life incident experience, and help identify pitfalls and risks your organization should avoid, when an incident occurs
Digital Storytelling and Generative AI, Presented by Mark Caruso, Digital Media Account Executive, Adobe Education & Laurie Strauss, Adobe Express Specialist, Adobe Education
The intent for this session is to offer frameworks and practical ideas for teaching and learning with Adobe Express and Firefly Generative AI. We will first walk through some language to help position and pitch these tools for faculty. Then, we will walk through some tangible scenarios of these tools for classroom use across the curriculum. If time runs out to go through all of these use cases, we will be sure to provide access to our presentation deck and supplementary resources.
Unveiling Classroom Technology Solutions: A Comprehensive Look Behind the Curtain, Presented by Dan Georgescu, Vice President, Business Development, Cardone Solomon and Associates
In today's landscape, the abundance of technological solutions offers a spectrum of choices, ranging from the straightforward to the intricate, from centrally managed systems to independently deployed setups, and from standardized deployments to bespoke solutions. This seminar aims to delve into the intricacies of the process, shedding light on the often-overlooked journey from conception to completion.
At the forefront of any successful project lies the crucial phase of discovery. This session emphasizes the significance of foresight, advocating for a holistic approach that extends beyond the confines of individual projects. By envisioning the end goal from the outset, we pave the way for seamless transitions and sustainable technological ecosystems on campuses.
Equally paramount are the infrastructure requirements, which demand meticulous evaluation to ensure compatibility and longevity. By anticipating future needs and considering the ripple effects on subsequent projects, we can mitigate disruptions and optimize resource allocation for both present and future endeavors.
In the realm of technological selection, discernment reigns supreme. Rather than fixating on superficial features or brand loyalty, this seminar advocates for a focus on consistency, adaptability, and long-term value. By weighing factors such as total cost of ownership, support capabilities, and scalability, we empower decision-makers to make informed choices that align with organizational objectives.
Furthermore, fostering strategic partnerships with stakeholders—from general contractors and manufacturers to integrators and support teams—is paramount. By prioritizing synergy and collaboration, we ensure that projects are not only delivered on time and within budget but also tailored to meet the evolving needs of end-users.
Join us as we navigate the intricacies of classroom technology solutions, unraveling the complexities behind the scenes to empower decision-makers and drive success in educational environments.
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Beyond ChatGPT: AI, Society, and the Future of Higher Education, Presented by Emily Laird, AI Integration Technologist, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace higher education, it’s here to challenge and expand its purpose. AI tools like ChatGPT might grab the headlines, but the real story is how AI is reshaping what it means to learn, to teach, and to prepare for a world that’s changing faster than ever. And here’s the thing, higher education is not just part of this conversation, it’s at the center of it.
AI doesn’t make education less valuable. It makes it more necessary than ever. This session goes beyond the tired tropes of “students will use AI to cheat” and digs into what higher ed does best, asking the difficult questions. What’s worth knowing in a world where machines can do so much? What skills and mindsets should we be building to help students thrive, not just in their first jobs, but in their lives?
We’ll explore case studies that show how AI is transforming industries and how colleges and universities are already changing to meet those challenges. The question isn’t whether AI will change education, it’s how we ensure that education shapes the use of AI in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
Attendees will leave this session with tools, ideas, and inspiration to ensure their classrooms remain not just relevant, but essential. Because in the age of AI, higher education isn’t just valuable, it’s indispensable.
Apple Vision Pro in Education, Presented by Apple Education
The era of spatial computing is here with the new Apple Vision Pro! Learn how spatial computing enhances everyday productivity, collaborative design, simulation and training, career technical education, and more.
Bridging the Gap: Practical Security Insights for Daily Operations, Presented by Paul Robinson, NYSERNet
Cybercriminals don’t need to hack into school networks if they can trick people into opening the door for them. Social engineering attacks don’t rely on fancy coding—they rely on trust, urgency, and a little bit of deception. And in schools, where educators, staff, and even students handle sensitive data daily, the risks are everywhere.
Maybe a student says they forgot their login and just needs a quick password reset? These are all classic social engineering tactics designed to manipulate people into giving up information or access.... What we usually neglect to understand is the information we give up can cause catastrophic harm to the people we care about the most, our student population. Students’ sensitive information in the hands of criminals could lead to everything from a ruined credit history to physical harm.
This session will break down common scams targeting schools—like phishing emails, fake tech support calls, and even students trying to bypass security rules.
We’ll use real-world examples from the K-12 and higher education environment and give you simple, practical ways to spot red flags, avoid scams, and protect both your school and personal information.
By the end of this talk, you'll be able to recognize cyber tricks before they cause harm, helping to keep your students, colleagues, and data safe. Because in today’s world, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue - it’s a school-wide responsibility.
Strategies to enhance the security of your wired and wireless networks, Presented by Joe Ranney, Solutions Engineer, Fortinet
In today's world of dynamic threats, it is critical to secure the network and minimize the attack footprint. During this session, we will discuss techniques to improve the security of your networks. The firewalls, switches and APs have many built-in features such as network segmentation, DHCP snooping, Dynamic ARP inspection, block intra SSID traffic and dynamic VLAN assignment to name a few that can enhance security and stability of your network. Come listen to these strategies and collaborate with others.
Toshiba’s Elevate Sky for Education, Presented by Russ Seager, Solutions Specialist, Toshiba
Accelerate your digital transformation. By moving solutions to the cloud, Toshiba’s Elevate Sky® platform lightens the IT workload for schools and universities. This platform provides secure document storage and easy file access, facilitates remote learning, and streamlines collaboration between staff and students, tackling essential management, monitoring, and workflow needs in four critical areas:
- Cloud-enabled systems: Easily and securely share documents between Toshiba MFPs and top cloud providers to boost productivity.
- Cloud-ready applications: Toshiba’s apps streamline print and document workflows, integrating data securely into the cloud.
- Cloud-driven services: Toshiba’s remote service and support tools help deliver top-tier service to improve uptime and proactively avoid support calls via the cloud.
- Cloud-ready expertise: Toshiba experts provide consulting, management, and support at every stage of your school’s cloud journey.
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Agentic AI – The next wave of AI is at our doorsteps, Presented by David Weil, Vice President for Information Technology and Analytics, Ithaca College & Rob Snyder, Director Analytics and Special IT Projects, Ithaca College
We are at the cusp of the next era of AI, which some are calling “Agentic AI.” These next generation AI Agents use sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning to autonomously solve complex, multi-step problems. Ithaca College has been experimenting and thinking about these developments and what they could mean for the experiences that our students have on our campus. Join us for a discussion about where AI is heading, possible ways in which they could help transform services, and a peek at some of the tools we’ve been building.
Ditching the Digital Headache: Ithaca College Builds Better Student Experiences with Pathify, Presented by Tim Edwards, Account Executive at Pathify & Casey Kendall, Deputy CIO and AVP at Ithaca College
Today’s students face an overwhelming maze of disconnected applications, systems and logins — causing frustration, confusion and missed opportunities. What if institutions cut through the digital clutter and created simplified, student-centered experiences?
Join Casey Kendall, Deputy CIO and AVP at Ithaca College, and Tim Edwards, Account Executive at Pathify, for a compelling conversation on how Ithaca College tackled system sprawl, broke down departmental silos and built a more connected digital experience. This session explores the strategic decisions behind Ithaca’s transformation and Pathify’s role in boosting student engagement and success.
Attendees will gain practical strategies and real-world insights to streamline campus technologies, improve access to critical resources and strengthen campus connections — all while reducing IT complexity.
FBI – Data Driven Investigations, Presented by David Hinsdale, Special Agent, FBI & Ryan Gallagher, Data Analyst, FBI
This presentation will discuss the use of holistic data analytics to provide direction to improve the FBI's ability to execute it's mission. Topics covered will include the ongoing cyber threat to critical infrastructure, national assets, private organizations, and the public. It will share insight into the threat landscape, malicious cyber actors, and the resources and collaborative efforts used to combat them. Case studies related to high-tech crimes, cyber-attacks, computer intrusions, and major cyber fraud will be presented.
Reinventing Campus Networks with Arista: Smarter, Safer, and Always On, Presented by Josh Rivers, Product Manager, Arista Networks
Network reliability and security have never been more essential. Arista Networks powers the world’s largest data centers, supporting industry giants like Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, and Spotify. In this session, we’ll explore how Arista’s Cognitive Campus architecture empowers educational institutions with a highly available, intelligent, and secure network—eliminating downtime. We’ll discuss how Arista provides real-time visibility and seamless network management through advanced orchestration and automation.
Windows 11 Transition Planning, Presented by Lynn Caputi, CISSP - Solutions Architect, Synergy ITS
With Windows 10 reaching End of Support (EoS) in October 2025, educational institutions must take proactive steps to protect their IT infrastructure, data security, and compliance. This session, led by Lynn Caputi from Synergy IT Solutions, will explore the unique challenges schools and universities face during this transition and provide a clear roadmap for IT decision-makers.
Attendees will learn:
- The risks of running Windows 10 post-EoS
- How to assess your readiness for transition and developing a plan of action
- Cost-effective transition strategies, including Windows 11 adoption and Extended Security Updates (ESU)
- Best practices to ensure a smooth transition while minimizing disruption to faculty, staff, and students
- Designed specifically for education IT professionals, this session will provide actionable insights to help institutions future-proof their technology before support runs out
12:10 PM - 1:00 PM
The State of AI in Higher Education: Campus-Wide Perspectives on AI, Presented by Abhilash Panthgani, Associate Director of Research, EAB
Generative AI is rewriting the rules for higher education — transforming how we teach, work, and prepare students for the careers of tomorrow. This session dives into the bold moves colleges and universities are making (and should be making) to embed AI across classrooms, curricula, and campus operations. Don’t miss this roadmap for navigating the AI revolution and ensuring your institution — and your students — are ready for what’s next.
Esports in Education: Taking the Classroom beyond Gaming, Presented by Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, Syracuse University and Alex Estabrook, Ithaca College
Esports and gaming continue to be an emerging area of education across the country at the higher education and K-12 levels. As a new and innovative educational discipline, esports offer pathways to meet learners where they are and set them up for success far beyond gaming. An esports curriculum provides transferable skills and an opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly developing industry. This session will talk about how esports prepare leaners for careers and experiences in, and beyond, esports. Ideas related to experiential learning, esports production, global competencies, and more will be addressed to illustrate the importance of an esports education. Examples of how Ithaca College and Syracuse University are embracing a holistic look at esports will be discussed to show how esports programs can be set up to go beyond gaming.
Next Generation Productivity with Copilot, Presented by Josh Reynolds, Director – Modern Workplace, US Education East, Microsoft
Join this session for an insightful session on the transformative impact of AI and the Copilot Ecosystem on the future of work. This talk will explore how AI-powered tools within the Copilot Ecosystem are revolutionizing productivity, collaboration, and decision-making across various industries. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the key features and benefits of these intelligent solutions, including task automation, enhanced communication, and data-driven insights. Through real-world examples and interactive demonstrations, we will showcase the practical applications of AI and the Copilot Ecosystem, highlighting their potential to drive innovation and efficiency in the workplace. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how AI is shaping the future of work and empowering professionals to achieve more with less effort.
Elevate your career with Microsoft’s Aspire Program, Presented by Armando Nevares, Sr. Customer Success Account Manager, Microsoft
A career development presentation where we'll explore opportunities in the technology market and discuss Microsoft's programs for students. With over a decade of experience in tech, including nine years at Microsoft, I'll provide insights on navigating the field and leveraging available resources. The session will cover current tech opportunities, Microsoft's student programs, and practical career advice, followed by a Q&A to address your questions. This presentation is tailored for students and young professionals looking to enter the tech industry and make informed career choices.
Strengthening Cybersecurity in Education, Presented by Don Klime, Senior Systems Engineer, Palo Alto Networks
This session will explore innovative strategies to tackle emerging cyber threats in the education sector, highlighting solutions designed specifically for the unique needs of school districts. Attendees will gain insight into proactive measures for safeguarding sensitive data, improving network resilience, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among students and staff. Join us to learn how this partnership is enhancing security outcomes, equipping schools with essential tools, and setting a new standard for cybersecurity in education.
1:10 PM – 2:00 PM
Learning Analytics: The Fraught Journey from “Data Exhaust” to Actionable Intelligence (the other AI), Presented by Dr. Andy Saltarelli, Senior Director of Evaluation and Research, Stanford University
The big data hype train truly reached higher education in the early 2010s as well as the heady techno-solutionism that invariably travels with it. All one needs is enough data to feed predictive models, and most problems can be solved for a fraction of the cost – right? This coincided with the educational technology community inheriting mountains of learning data as digital academic tools became a standard part of the learning environment. Naturally, this mountain of data looked like the solution to the thorny issue of how to predict and help students overcome academic speed bumps. But the journey from learning “data exhaust” to actionable intelligence that truly promotes student success has been far from smooth. This talk will discuss the myths and overexuberance that have hindered the use of learning analytics and offer a few ideas on how we move forward in a more responsible and effective way.
Apple Intelligence and AI at Work, Presented by Apple Education
Learn how Apple’s innovative hardware is ready for machine learning and AI workflows today, how Apple Intelligence features will supercharge business productivity, and how customers can build intelligent apps with Apple’s AI and ML tools.
Funding Strategies for Technology Refresh Programs, Presented by Kelly Furgal, Relationship Manager, First American Equipment Finance
To provide helpful, objective, and independent information on the considerations of customizing, financing, and managing a sustainable IT funding model. We will review current challenges, our spectrum of offerings, and case study examples.
Enhancing Network Visibility with AKIPS: A Deep Dive into Event into Event Detection/Response and holistic network visibility, Presented by Dan Roberts, Pre-Sales Engineering Team Lead, AKIPS
Discover how colleges and universities can leverage real-time network monitoring, anomaly detection, and customizable alerts to maintain a unified view of network performance, device health, and traffic patterns. Learn how proactive management and automated responses empower IT teams to swiftly detect and remediate issues, reduce downtime, and bolster security. With real-world examples and expert insights, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to make data-driven decisions and optimize your network for peak performance.
Advancing Analytics Maturity: A Collaborative Workshop on Data-Informed Decision Making, Workshop Hosted by Micky Akers-Coville, Vanessa Brown, Paul Murphy, Rob Snyder – Ithaca College REGISTER HERE
Join Ithaca College’s Analytics team for an interactive workshop designed to help institutions advance analytics maturity and maximize data-driven decision-making. Using Ithaca College’s Analytics Maturity Model—spanning operational reporting to strategic analytics—this session will provide a practical roadmap for institutional leaders, data practitioners, and decision-makers.
Building on insights from A Modern Framework for Institutional Analytics (EDUCAUSE Review), we’ll explore key challenges and best practices in technology, data skills, storytelling, and actionable analytics strategies. Participants will work through a real-world institutional challenge using sample data to apply the maturity model in practice. Through facilitated discussions and peer collaboration, attendees will share successes, challenges, and strategies for strengthening their analytics capabilities.
Whether you're just starting or refining an existing strategy, you’ll leave with practical frameworks and actionable next steps to enhance data-informed decision-making.
2:10 – 3:00 PM
Revolutionizing AI-Powered Tutoring in Higher Education: A Scalable Approach to Personalized Learning, Presented by Humberto Hernandez, Ed.D, Director of Online Learning and Instructional Design, D'Youville University
This presentation explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence Tutoring Systems (AITSs) in higher education. Traditional tutoring methods have long demonstrated effectiveness in improving student performance, with Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem showing that one-on-one tutoring can enhance learning outcomes by up to two standard deviations. However, such personalized approaches have been difficult to scale—until now.
With the development of an AI-powered tutoring tool integrated into the Learning Management System, students now have access to 24/7 personalized learning support. This system leverages AI-driven pedagogical strategies, such as adaptive learning, scaffolded feedback, and targeted practice, to support diverse student learning needs.
Key discussion points will include:
- Technical Implementation: The architecture of GPT-powered AI tutors, faculty engagement, and the integration process into LMS.
- Pedagogical Strategies: The application of AI tutoring within the frameworks of Self-Determination Theory, Expectancy-Value Theory, and Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development.
- Future Research Considerations: Investigating AI tutoring’s impact on student engagement, learning outcomes, and ethical use in academia
Attendees will gain insights into how institutions can leverage AI tutoring to provide scalable, effective, and personalized learning experiences, as well as the challenges and ethical considerations of AI-powered education. This session is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, and academic leaders interested in integrating AI-driven tutoring solutions into their institutions.
From Blueprint to Gameplay: Best Practices for Building and Managing Esports Spaces, Presented by Ash Bailot, Ithaca College & Megan Danaher, Syracuse University & Tyler Johnson, Cornell University
Join us for an engaging session led by the dedicated teams from Syracuse University, Cornell University, and Ithaca College, who were instrumental in the design, development, and ongoing management of their state-of-the-art Esports facilities. These individuals, who coordinate the daily operations and dynamic programming of their Esports spaces, will share firsthand insights into the challenges and successes they encountered throughout the build-out process. Attendees will gain valuable lessons on effective collaboration across teams during the creation of Esports spaces, as well as actionable strategies for managing, promoting, and maximizing the impact of Esports facilities on campus. Whether you’re in the planning phase or looking to enhance your current program, this session will provide essential best practices for creating a vibrant and sustainable Esports environment.
Security Should be Implicit to the Network, Presented by Ed Koehler, Extreme Networks
Universities have faced unprecedented security challenges increasingly becoming targets for ransomware. Inherent to IP networks are vulnerabilities. IP was not designed to be secure but to move packets across networks. Security was never implicit to the protocol. IPSEC and other mechanisms are bolt on security mechanisms which impose their own implementation challenges. As such organizations are wrestling with security, its added complexity, and additional costs. What if security was implicit to the network moving packets? What if automation and simplicity was synonymous with security? Come listen to Distinguished IEEE Engineer, Ed Koehler discuss network architecture that inherently embodies security.
Why should I care about an AI Native Network?, Presented by Ed Koehler, Extreme Networks
Leveraging AI to transform your network and accelerate student outcomes while reducing admin overhead
AIOPs, the next step in network administration - Using AI to detect problems on the network and reduce MTTR
Improve the user experience by making every connection count
Leveraging location and integrations to provide campus safety and ensure student engagement
Tours:
10:00 AM:
Made in the Makerspace - Friends Hall 101 and 102
Take a tour of the Ithaca College Makerspace! It's a small but efficient space with 3D printers, a laser cutter, sewing machines and more open to IC students, staff and faculty 6 days a week. Learn about how the equipment is used and the impact it has on the campus community!
11:00 AM:
Movement Analysis Lab and Anatomage Lab - Center for Health Sciences 102 and 102A
This MAL lab contains equipment designed to analysis human movement. It contains the latest equipment including motion capture, force plates, plantar pressure analysis, electromyography, isokinetic dynamometry, and balance testing.
The Anatomage Table, which is a life-sized, interactive, 3D anatomy tool that can review human anatomy and physiology concepts, digitally dissect a body and compare the anatomy of different individuals.
11:00 AM: (also scheduled at 1:10PM)
Inside the Esports Lounge - Friends 110
Take a tour of the brand-new Ithaca College Esports Lounge! Opened in October 2024, the beautifully designed room was built to support the Esports Team, tie in with broadcast production classes, and appeal to the general student body. Learn about the facility and how the campus community uses it!
12:10 PM:
Tour an Active Learning Environment for Undergraduate Physics Courses - Center for Natural Sciences 206 & 208
Explore all that active learning techniques have to offer in our Performance-Based Physics Lab, developed through cutting edge research-based design in physics education. Assistant Professor of Physics Colleen Countryman will lead a tour of our student-centered space. The integrated classroom/lab environment is characterized by round tables, interactive whiteboards, projectors, and lab equipment — all strategically positioned to facilitate collaborative experimentation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Participants in the tour will experience firsthand the transformative impact of active learning teaching methods and how these pedagogies can pair with classroom design to facilitate student engagement.
12:10 PM:
AI in Virtual Production - Park School of Communications
AI is becoming a more integral part of the toolset in production.
1:10 PM:
Inside the Esports Lounge - Friends 110
Take a tour of the brand-new Ithaca College Esports Lounge! Opened in October 2024, the beautifully designed room was built to support the Esports Team, tie in with broadcast production classes, and appeal to the general student body. Learn about the facility and how the campus community uses it!
