What We Wish We Knew: Lessons from High Ed IT Leadership

As 2026 comes to a close, join Jonathan See of Pepperdine University and Jack Suess of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for a candid conversation about the decisions, turning points, and lessons that shaped their careers in higher education IT.

Moderated by Jonathan Duke, the discussion will go beyond career highlights to explore the choices and challenges behind their leadership journeys: what prepared them for the CIO role, what they learned the hard way, and what they wish they had understood earlier.

Whether you’re an experienced CIO considering what comes next or an emerging leader planning your path, you’ll hear practical advice you can apply to your own career and institution. The panelists will also look ahead at the forces likely to shape higher education technology and how today’s leaders can prepare themselves and their teams.

Participants will leave with new perspectives on their own leadership choices, lessons from two experienced CIOs, and questions to help them prepare for the next stage of their careers.

Key takeaways:

• Learn how pivotal experiences and decisions shaped two CIO leadership journeys
• Apply practical career advice to your own leadership path
• Explore how higher education IT leadership may need to evolve in the years ahead

Session

Click the Register button to sign up.

Attendance is limited to CIOs and deputy CIOs. Registration is limited to two attendee per institution.

• Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time