When “Never Again” Becomes a Bad Technology Strategy
Evaluating technology vendors creates strong opinions in higher education. Spend enough time around conversations about Ellucian, Oracle, Workday, Blackboard, Salesforce, or a handful of other large providers, and eventually you will hear some version of this: “I will never do business with them again.” Usually, there is a story behind that statement. A failed implementation. […]
If You Nominate Yourself, What Exactly Is Being Honored?
I was scrolling through LinkedIn when a promoted advertisement stopped me. “Nominate yourself and earn a Dr. title.” The advertisement invited people to nominate themselves for a “prestigious Honorary Doctorate” from an “internationally accredited university.” It promised global recognition, greater professional credibility, and, most strikingly, the opportunity to “earn a Dr. title.” I could not […]
The HBCU CIO Exchange: Ideas, Innovation & Impact
Post-Conference Summary & Future Steps | July 8–9, 2026 | Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL Executive Dialogue at the HBCU CIO Exchange The HBCU CIO Exchange convened CIOs, CTOs, and senior technology leaders from across the HBCU community for two days of executive-level dialogue on the campus of Alabama State University. Framed around the themes […]
Career Services Is Where Higher Education Proves Its Value
Career Services in Higher Education Connects Talent with Opportunity The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2026 Conference’s opening keynote in Denver put a phrase in my head that I keep returning to. The goal of career services is to “Connect Talent with Opportunity,” and in that framing sits the full weight of what […]
From Digital Natives to Digital Learners: Using NotebookLM to Support Universal Design for Learning
Educators have been told that today’s students are “digital natives.” The assumption is that because students grew up with smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity, they intuitively know how to use technology effectively. In practice, many educators know this assumption is flawed. Students may be highly proficient at consuming digital media, but many struggle with […]
WACUBO 2026: Transformational Leadership in Higher Education
Last week was my first WACUBO Annual Conference, but I felt right at home. The annual gathering of business officers from colleges and universities across the western US exemplified one of the things I’ve come to appreciate about higher ed conferences: how much of the value sits outside the program. Our community shows up willing […]
Ellucian Live 2026 in Denver: A Conference About Consolidation, Pressure, and Position
Ellucian Live 2026 in Denver signaled a company working to reinforce its position in a market that remains unsettled. What Did Ellucian Announce at Ellucian Live 2026? The messaging focused on modernization, AI, and platform simplification. Those themes are familiar, but the context has shifted. Institutions are making decisions under tighter budgets, constrained staffing, and […]
Kuali Days 2026: A Company the Market Should Reconsider
Kuali Days 2026 was not just a user conference. It was a signal that Kuali, Inc. is entering a new phase. The leadership transition was central to the event. Rishi Rana introduced himself as Kuali’s new CEO with a message focused on execution, continuity, and customer value. The tone was measured and practical. There was […]
Vendors: Prioritize Enterprise Planning
A few weeks ago, I argued that higher education’s expectations of technology vendors are too low. Most institutions, and most vendors serving them, are still having the wrong conversation. They stay focused on transactions and user experience: better HR workflows, cleaner financial reporting, faster close, fewer manual touches. But that is not enough to separate […]
Higher Education’s Credibility Runs Through Outcomes
At the ASU+GSV Summit, a collaboration between Global Silicon Valley (GSV) Ventures and Arizona State University (ASU), there was no shortage of ideas. The Gap between Institutional Reality and Student Expectations Higher education needs spaces where people can test assumptions, share new approaches, and challenge old models. What stayed with me, though, was not just […]
