Beyond the Shadows: How IT Leaders in Higher Education Are Managing Shadow IT Risk

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 9:45AM–10:30AM CT | EDUCAUSE Commons, Cybersecurity & Privacy Central, Poster Area
Session Type: Poster Session
Delivery Format: Poster
Shadow IT isn’t new — but how higher education leaders manage it is evolving. Based on original research with CIOs and CISOs from public research universities, this session explores how IT leaders are navigating shadow IT risk while still supporting innovation, research, and decentralized decision-making. We’ll dig into how leaders define shadow IT in their contexts, the risk management strategies they actually use, and how trust, relationships, and culture play a critical role in governance success (or failure). You'll leave with real-world insights, practical approaches, and key questions to take back to your own campus—whether you’re working to control shadow IT, collaborate with it, or simply survive it.

Presenters

  • Joel Larson

    Director of IT Support, Network Svcs, & Disaster Rcvy, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Resources & Downloads

  • Executive Summary for Beyond the Shadows Risk Management of Shadow IT in Higher Education

    Updated on 7/18/2026

  • Poster for Beyond the Shadows Risk Management of Shadow IT in Higher Education 1

    Updated on 7/18/2026