Fast Ideas. Big Impact. EDUCAUSE Ignite 2026

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 2:15PM–3:00PM MT
Session Type: Breakout Session
Delivery Format: Ignite Session

Join us for EDUCAUSE 2026 Ignite Talks—a fast-paced, high-energy session format designed to spark new ideas and fresh perspectives! Each presenter has just 5 minutes to share their message using 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds. You'll hear a series of concise, thought-provoking presentations on topics shaping the future of higher education and technology.

This Ignite Talk features:

  • Planting 'The Grove:' Scaling Secure AI through Partnership, Metaphor, and Metrics– Alex Chrystal, University of California, Riverside
  • Data Awakening: Early Wins in Building a Modern Data Platform for Analytics and AI Readiness–Reema Sharma, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  • The Workforce Architect: Bridging the 'Support Gap' Between AI Hype and Classroom Reality–Artemis Preeshl, Adams State University
  • Free Doesn't Mean Free: The Hidden Cost of Unsanctioned Software–Kelly Mitchell, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana-Southern Indiana
  • Clarity Over Chaos: Improving First-Year Student Messaging–Erin Murtha, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
  • When Every Student Counts: How HBCUs Use AI to Protect the Students They Can't Afford to Lose–Chris Uthe, BlackBeltHelp
     

Presenters

  • Alex Chrystal

    Manager of Communication & Training, University of California, Riverside

  • Kelly Mitchell

    Director of Information Technology, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana-Southern Indiana

  • Erin Murtha

    Asst. Vice Chancellor, Planning, Projects and Process Strategy, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

  • Artemis Preeshl

    Director of the Center for Teaching Innovation, & Research, Adams State University

  • Reema Sharma

    Director, Integration services and Data Management, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

  • Chris Uthe