Penny Evans-Plants
Chief Information Officer,
Berry College
From Data to Decisions: CIO Perspectives on Operationalizing AI
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 2:15PM–3:00PM MT
Session Type:
Breakout Session
Delivery Format:
Industry Insights Session
As student expectations for personalized, always-on engagement rise, higher education IT leaders must support experiences that legacy systems were not designed to deliver. Artificial intelligence offers new opportunities while raising important questions about governance, integration, security, and institutional readiness. This interactive panel brings together senior technology leaders from two universities, moderated by CollegeVine, to discuss how institutions are operationalizing AI to support student engagement across the life cycle, from recruitment through student services. Panelists will share real-world experiences navigating system constraints, cross-functional collaboration, data governance, stakeholder trust, and the realities of deploying AI within complex campus environments. Rather than focus on a single solution, the discussion will explore practical frameworks for integrating AI into existing enterprise ecosystems, identifying the tipping point for adoption, building governance models, and measuring institutional impact. Participants will be invited to share their own experiences, compare approaches, and discuss the opportunities and challenges of scaling AI responsibly across campus. Attendees will leave with actionable questions, peer-tested strategies, and practical considerations for evaluating AI initiatives that align with institutional priorities.
