Learning Lab | Assess and Improve Identity and Access Management in Higher Education – August 2026

Part 1: August 18, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.ET
Part 2: August 20, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.ET
Part 3: August 25, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.ET
Part 4: August 27, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.ET

Overview

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is no longer merely a back-office function; it has become critical infrastructure for higher education. As institutions expand cloud services, enable hybrid learning, and support complex research ecosystems, IAM practitioners must secure diverse populations while preserving usability and institutional agility.

This four-part Learning Lab delivers a practical, practitioner-focused foundation in IAM tailored specifically to higher education. Participants will explore identity life cycle management, modern authentication strategies (including phishing-resistant MFA), and access governance approaches designed for academic complexity. Through guided exercises, templates, interactive activities and peer discussion, learners will assess their current IAM maturity, prioritize operational risks, and build an IAM action plan unique to their role and institution that can be implemented in the first three months after completing the lab. The course concludes with an examination of emerging challenges ranging from AI-enabled identity threats to evolving digital trust frameworks, and considers their implications for strengthening contemporary IAM programs and for future preparedness.

Learning Outcomes:

NOTE: You will be asked to complete assignments in between the Learning Lab segments that support the learning outcomes stated below. You will receive feedback and constructive critique from course facilitators.

• Use a structured framework to assess their institution’s IAM maturity across identity life cycle management, authentication, and access governance.
• Identify and prioritize key operational IAM risks within their institutional contexts, including life cycle gaps, authentication weaknesses, and access control challenges.
• Propose practical improvements to authentication and authorization workflows, balancing security, usability, and institutional complexity.
• Describe emerging IAM trends—including AI-driven identity risks and evolving digital trust models—and explain their potential impact on higher education.