About The Program
The Summer Higher Ed CIO Congress will focus on 75 c-level executives on the technology side of higher education (CIOs, CTOs and VPs of Technology). These leaders are mainly focused on cybersecurity, maximizing student success, and the quality and practices associated with undergraduate, graduate, and professional study at the college/university. Conference sessions will address how technology leaders can improve their institution’s technology programs, support services, and organizational design to drive innovation and help students from all backgrounds succeed.
Topics of Discussion
IT as a Strategic Partner: Elevating the Role of the CIO
Explore how IT leaders are shifting from service providers to strategic collaborators driving institutional transformation.
Managing Change Fatigue: Leading Technology Transformation on Campus
Learn approaches for communication, governance, and stakeholder engagement that help campuses successfully navigate constant change.
Redefining IT Success Metrics in Higher Education
Explore new ways to assess IT impact beyond uptime and cost, focusing on student outcomes, equity, and institutional value.
Transforming the Student Experience Through Integrated Systems
Learn how breaking down data silos across SIS, LMS, CRM, and student services creates seamless, end-to-end student journeys.
Digital Equity and Accessibility in Higher Education
Discuss strategies to ensure technology initiatives support all learners, including accessibility, affordability, and inclusive design considerations.
Operationalizing AI Across Campus: From Pilot Projects to Scalable Impact
Explore how institutions are moving AI initiatives out of isolated experiments and into sustainable, campus-wide solutions that deliver measurable value in academics, operations, and student services.
Strategic Budgeting for IT in Higher Education
Explore how institutions are prioritizing investments, reallocating resources, and aligning IT budgets with mission-critical outcomes amid ongoing financial pressure.
Cyber Resilience on Campus: Protecting Trust, Data, and Institutional Reputation
Cyber incidents threaten more than systems — they put institutional credibility at risk. This discussion focuses on building cyber resilience through proactive risk management, incident response planning, and cross-campus collaboration. Leaders will examine how to strengthen security posture while maintaining transparency and trust with the campus community.
The Talent Crunch: Rethinking Staffing, Skills, & Partnerships
Higher education faces growing challenges in recruiting and retaining technical talent. This session explores alternative staffing strategies, up skilling approaches, and the role of vendors and managed services. Attendees will learn how institutions are building resilient teams in a competitive labor market.
88% of delegates said this is the best event they’ve attended all year
Past Keynote Speakers
A dynamic roster of keynote speakers drives innovation at our congress events. Discover thought leaders and game-changers whose invaluable insights foster growth and excellence in each of our delegates.
Dallas College, Texas
Delgado Community College, Louisiana
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Illinois
Fordham University, New York
Past Speakers
New York University, New York
Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
University at Buffalo, New York
University of Lynchburg, Virginia
Delgado Community College, Louisiana
Philadelphia University & Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania
Fordham University, New York
Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
University of Georgia, Georgia
The Schedule
Event Registration
Opening Keynote
Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings
Afternoon Refreshments & Networking
Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings/Roundtable Discussions/Workshops
Free time
Welcome Reception & Dinner
Networking Breakfast
Morning Keynote/Panel Session
Strategy Session/Business Meeting
Morning Refreshments & Networking
Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings
Workshops/Roundtable Discussions
Networking Luncheon
Roundtables/Business Meetings/Workshops
Afternoon Refreshments & Networking
Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings
Closing Day keynote
Free time
Networking Reception & Dinner
Morning Refreshments & Networking
Workshops/Roundtable Discussions
Brunch
Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings
Closing Keynote
Our Commitments to You
Maximized Networking Opportunities
A personal, customized itinerary
Exclusive qualified attendance
return on time and objective
Delegate Testimonials
RTM is a great networking environment. You meet others from small to large Universities. The sessions are very engaging and informational. Vendor sessions are not pushing sales. It’s you and them getting to know each other and if follow-up meetings are needed.
In addition to amazing thought provoking sessions, the networking opportunities at RTM Higher Ed events are the best I’ve ever experienced. I have made some great connections and friendship's with other IT leaders in Higher Ed.
The small focused attendee groups were great. RTM focuses on delivering a quality experience. The vendor expiring was personalized to each attendee, which helped to take the pressure off of the attendee as a sales pitch.
The Congress was an excellent meeting of Higher Education thought leaders from Technology and Teaching, addressing the challenges of tomorrow and bring the partners in industry together with Universities to successfully navigate the uncharted waters of AI and Cybersecurity.
