Author | Lightnews

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 17h

The 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10 continues with #9: AI-Enabled Efficiencies & Growth. Let’s start thinking about using AI, robotic process automation, & other analytics capabilities to reduce operational costs, streamline processes, & improve strategic & business decision-making

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EDUCAUSE 2026: EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
#9 AI-Enabled Efficiences and Growth:

EDUCAUSE 2026: EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
#9 AI-Enabled Efficiences and Growth:
Using artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, and other analytics capabilities to reduce operational costs, streamline processes, and improve strategic and business decision-making.

EDUCAUSE 2026: EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
#9 AI-Enabled Efficiences and Growth:
Technology professionals consistently report year after year that their workloads exceed capacity, their teams are understaffed, and that, despite these realities, their institution still demands they maintain the same levels of service and continue to do more with less.

EDUCAUSE 2026: EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
#9 AI-Enabled Efficiences and Growth:
It’s past time, then, for institutions to find pathways forward for “doing less with less” and helping their leadership and staff find healthier, more efficient, and potentially even more meaningful and fulfilling approaches to accomplishing the most important aspects of their work.

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 1d

We’re counting down the 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10! Kicking off at #10: Decision-Maker Data Skills and Literacy. Enhancing the value of institutional data by training and equipping decision-makers to use and interpret it properly will be essential in 2026.

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EDUCAUSE 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
#10 Decision-Maker Data Skills and Literacy:

EDUCAUSE 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
#10 Decision-Maker Data Skills and Literacy:
Enhancing the value of institutional data by training and equipping decision-makers to use and interpret it properly.

EDUCAUSE 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
Critical thinking and reasoning, analysis, informed decision-making—these are aspirations of higher education and, for many, bare minimum outcomes of a successful educational journey.

EDUCAUSE 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10: Making Connections
With an embarrassment of data riches and advanced analytics capabilities at their disposal, then, our institutions should be data literacy and decision-making leaders for the rest of the world, exemplifying best practices in thoughtful analysis and sound judgment.

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 4d

Today might be the last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but these are year-long efforts we all need to be a part of to protect ourselves, the people at our institutions, & the institutions themselves. At EDUCAUSE, we are always here to support you with resources & community.

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EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Small actions can make a big difference
EDUCAUSE.edu

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 6d

How is it already the final day of the 2025 EDUCAUSE Conference? We've had a wonderful time connecting with this supportive & knowledgeable community. We can't wait to close out with an amazing general session & leave together, returning to our institutions revitalized!

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EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
Day 3 at a glance
8 a.m.
Registration Desk Open
Hall A Concourse, Level 3
Sponsored by Huntress, Conference Supporter
Braindates Open
Hall D Concourse, level 3
Sponsored by N2N Services, Conference Supporter
Young Professionals Hub Open
Lobby, Level 1
Sponsored by Ellucian, Mission Partner

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
8 a.m.
Kick-Start Your Day: How Young Professionals Can Bring Home the Music
Meeting Room 105, Level 1
8:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions
9:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions
10:30 a.m.
Beverage Break
Karl F. Dean Grand Ballroom Lobby
Level 4
11 a.m.
General Session, Resilient Campuses in Turbulent Times
Karl F. Dean Grand Ballroom
Level 4

EDUCAUSE Mission Partner 2025
Thank you to our 2025 EDUCAUSE Mission Partners
AWS
CDW
Dell Technologies
Ellucian
Gartner
Jenzabar
K16 Solutions
Lenovo
Moran
Salesforce
Zoom

EDUCAUSE Strategic Partner 2025
Thank you to our 2025 EDUCAUSE Strategic Partners
Boldyn Networks
Carahsoft
Cisco
CrashPlan
Infosec
Microsoft
New Horizons
Proofpoint
Prosci
Vantage Technology Consulting Group

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 6d

Day 2 of the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference was filled with so many insights and connections that our notebooks are full. What was your favorite part of today? youtu.be/FoiwkpTLkRw

Day 2 at the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference

YouTube video by EDUCAUSE

youtu.be

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 6d

Here it is... the 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10!

2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10 - Making Connections
1: Collaborative Cybersecurity 2: The Human Edge of AI 3: Data Analytics for Operational and Financial Insights 4: Building a Data-Centric Culture Across the Institution 5: Knowledge Management for Safer AI 6: Measured Approaches to New Technologies 7: Technology Literacy for the Future Workforce 8: From Reactive to Proactive 9: AI-Enabled Efficiencies and Growth 10: Decision-Maker Data Skills and Literacy

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 7d

Day 2 of the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is packed with opportunites to learn, connect, and explore. This includes amazing breakout sessions, the 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10, Live Shop Talks, and of course the EDUCAUSE Commons. What are you most excited about?

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EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
Day 2 at a glance
7:30 a.m.
Registration desk Open
Hall A Concourse, Level 3
Sponsored by Huntress, Conference Supporter
Young Professionals Hub Open
Lobby, Level 1
Sponsored by Ellucian, Mission Partner
Kick-Start Your Day:
Set Break with Young Professionals -- Recharge and Reconnect
Meeting Room 105, Level 1

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
8 a.m.
Morning Refreshments
Lobbies, Level 1 & Level 4
Sponsored by New Horizons, Strategic Partner
8:30 a.m.
General Session - 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10
Karl F. Dean Grand Ballroom, Level 4
Sponsored by CDW, Gartner, and Jenzabar, Mission Partners
9:30 a.m.
EDUCAUSE Commons Open
All A - D, Level 3
9:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break in EDUCAUSE Commons
Sponsored by Tru Consulting
Poster Sessions in EDUCAUSE Commons
Sponsored by DRUID, Conference Supporter

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
9:45 a.m.
Braindates Open
Hall D Concourse, Level 3
Sponsored by N2N services, Conference Supporter
10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions
EDUCAUSE Shop Talk Live!
Real Talk on Student Experiences with AI
Meeting Room 104 E, Level 1
11:30 a.m.
Midday Your Way
12 p.m.
Community Group Extravaganza in EDUCAUSE Commons

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
1 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
EDUCAUSE Shop Talk Live! An EDUCAUSE Top 10 Q&A
Meeting Room 104 E, Level 1
2:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
EDUCAUSE Rising Voices Live! Behind the AI Stack -- A Candid Conversation on Institutional Innovation
Meeting Room 104 E, Level 1
3 p.m.
Refreshment Break in EDUCAUSE Commons
Sponsored by Tru Consulting

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 7d

What an amazing Day 1 at the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference!

We want to know...
what was your favorite part?
and what are you looking forward to tomorrow?

youtu.be/Sl8xlwWRvFM

Day 1 at the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference

YouTube video by EDUCAUSE

youtu.be

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 8d

It's day 1 of the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference! We've got our fancy socks on, coffee in hand, and brains open for learning and connection.

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EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
Day 1 at a glance
7:30 a.m.
Registration Desk Open
Hall A Concourse, Level 3
Sponsored by Huntress, Conference Supporter
Young Professionals Hub Open Lobby, level 1
Sponsored by Ellucian, Mission Partner
Kickstart Your Day: Creating Your Young Professionals Playlist
Meeting Room 105, Level 1
Sponsored by Ellucian, Mission Partner

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions
11:30 a.m. Midday Your Way
1 p.m. Breakout Sessions
2:15 p.m. Igniting Ideas at EDUCAUSE 2025! Meeting Room 104 AB, Level 1
Breakout Sessions

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
3:30 p.m.
Igniting Ideas at EDUCAUSE 2025!
Meeting Room 205, Level 2
Breakout Sessions
4 p.m.
Reception in EDUCAUSE Commons
Sponsored by Salesforce, Mission Partner, Booth #1001

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 8d

Catch Dr. Joy Buolamwini, The EDUCAUSE 2026 Top 10, and Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III live from the #EDU25 Main Stage! Register (for free!) to watch the live main stage stream.

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EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
Main Stage Live!
October 28 - 30, 2025
Dr. Joy Buolamwini
2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10
Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III
Register for Free

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 11d

This is it! We will see you all next week in Nashville for the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. Remember, wear comfortable shoes, hydrate, and make time for connections.

bit.ly/4ogmZFB

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
October 27 - 30
Nashville, TN
November 12 - 13
Online

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 11d

Generative AI can transform higher ed by enabling guided engagement at scale, fostering active & dialogic learning, & expanding access to personalized tutoring. Institutions can redesign teaching & assessment to thrive in the age of AI. Explore more in this EDUCAUSE Review article.

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"Dialogue has always been the beating heart of education. For centuries, it was rationed—a privilege of small seminars or private tutorials. GenAI can democratize it, making personalized, dialogical learning the norm rather than the exception."
Dialogue at Scale: AI, Soft Skills, and the Future of Assessment
by Mihnea Moldoveneau, Tanya Gamby, David Kil, Rachel Koblic, Paul LeBlanc and George Siemens

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 12d

Have you set up your Braindates for the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference? This is your opportunity to connnect on a variety of subject 1:1 or in a small group. There's still time to join us in Nashville!

bit.ly/4ogmZFB

This is truly one of the most valuable events for higher ed IT professionals!
I've found it incredibly beneficial to learn from peers who understand the challenges we face in our ever-evolving field. The exchange of insights and processes has been both inspiring and practical.
- Jennifer Mendez
EDUCAUSE 2025 Annual Conference
October 27 - 30, Nashville, TN
November 12 - 13, Online

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 13d

In the 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Data & Analytics Edition, our expert panelists surveyed the landscape to identify the most influential trends shaping data & analytics in higher ed across five categories: social, technological, economic, environmental, and policy

Read the report

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2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Data and Analytics Edition

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 13d

"Hotline: Cybersecurity and Privacy" tackles the philosophical, moral, strategic, and organizational quandaries related to higher education cybersecurity, privacy, and data. This month, Mike answers your questions about handling admissions data and avoiding staff burnout.

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Hotline Cybersecurity and Privacy
October 2025
by Michael Corn
EDUCAUSE Review

To get (data) into Power BI, we need CSVs stored somewhere. Am I wrong to think that creating flat files and storing them somewhere is insecure?
A flat file is merely one of any number of possible data stores. Unfortunately, I don't think I can agree that flat files are inherently insecure. It really comes down to how well you control access and handling. I suspect the proper solution is to eliminate the CSV as soon as possible, such as by having an automated process.

How do I make the case for backfilling staff? Spreading the work this staff member did across the team is killing everyone.
Remind leadership that overwork and burnout carry real costs, including turnover, lost expertise, and lowered morale, which far exceed the savings of an unfilled position. Fundamentally, the case you want to make is that as part of a program of resource optimization, backfilling your position lowers risk, builds organizational resilience, and advances its mission.

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 14d

NEXT WEEK! One week from today we will be together in Nashville for the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. Make sure to follow us on social to connect with the community at the conference!

bit.ly/4ogmZFB

Connect with us at #EDU25

LinkedIn
Instagram
@educause

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 15d

We're streaming our #EDU25 Main Stage Live! – and it's FREE to register. Join us October 28–30 to experience the main stage energy. Register now to secure your virtual seat and tell your friends!

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 18d

Mapping the future of higher ed demands that we pay attention to the larger social & economic shifts that are impacting higher ed so we can we anticipate, plan for, & adapt to the changes ahead. Explore the just-released 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report | Data and Analytics Edition!

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2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Data and Analytics Edition
Policy Trends

Regulatory shifts may reshape how institutions collect & use data.
To prepare for potential disruptions in federal data access, institutions can leverage internal systems to track key metrics, join data-sharing consortia, & strengthen institutional research capacity.

Changes in funding & administration could impact data & analytics.
Institutions must invest in analytics tools that can handle grant & partnership data, update budgeting systems for changing financial requirements, & form cross-functional teams that can manage compliance, reporting, & strategic planning across funding sources.

New policy requirements are reshaping data transparency.
Institutions need to strengthen data governance policies, clearly define critical metrics like completion & job placement rates, & expand analytics teams & tools to handle frequent, detailed reporting requirements.

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 19d

The app for the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is available! Download it before the conference to build your agenda, connect with other attendees, & more. There's still time to register for - we hope to see you in Nashville! Mobile App sponsored by Gartner, Mission Partner

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EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
Download EDUCAUSE Events App Today
Available on the App Store and Google Play

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 20d

Colleges & universities can leverage data analytics to gather & analyze faculty feedback, using these insights to shape faculty development & ensure that faculty members' needs & interests are at the forefront of planning. Check out this EDUCAUSE Review article to explore more

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Looking ahead, embedding data analytics as a core
component of strategic planning ensures programs
are more responsive, effective, and tailored to
the evolving needs of educators and students
alike.
From Data to Decisions: Enhancing Faculty Development with Analytics
by Hua Zheng and William Shay

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 20d

We're streaming our #EDU25 Main Stage Live! – and it's FREE to register. Join us October 28–30 to experience the main stage energy. Register now to secure your virtual seat and tell your friends!

buff.ly/WDsoOJy

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 21d

In the 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report | Data and Analytics Edition, our panelists prioritized six key technologies and practices with the greatest potential to transform data and analytics in higher education

Curious about other aspects of tech use in data and analytics? Read more:

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2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Data and Analytics Edition
Building Institutional Capacity for Data Literacy
Taking Action

Create resources all stakeholders can easily access.
Develop guides, dashboards, glossaries, & other resources to help users understand & interact with data.
Build a data literacy program that meets your community’s unique needs.
Consider your users’ level of comfort using data, their daily work, & their modality & format preferences.

Collaborate with professional learning staff.
Staff who have expertise in designing learning experiences can help identify learning objectives, develop programming, & evaluate your data literacy program.
Teach users to take a human-centered approach to data literacy.
Help your community use data for the benefit of all people, mitigating the risk of reinforcing biases & other barriers to success.

Create a community of practice for pros who are building capacity for digital literacy.
Such networks help professionals share best practices & find opportunities to collaborate.
Embed data literacy into the design, delivery, & governance of institutional data products.
Include intro pages that provide key definitions, describe assumptions behind data collection & analysis methodologies, embed microlearning, & host office hours.

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 22d

The will be socks! Get your pair at the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference in Nashville later this month. There's still time to register to join us.

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2025 EDUCAUSE Socks
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025

EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 22d

In the newly released 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report | Data and Analytics Edition, our expert panelists identify and examine the most influential trends shaping teaching and learning in higher education across five categories: social, technological, economic, environmental, and policy

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2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Data and Analytics Edition
Social Trends

The need for effective data governance is growing.
Institutions will need to focus on key efforts such as developing policies for the use of data in AI, addressing ethical & privacy concerns, clarifying data ownership, & managing both structured & unstructured data sources.

Critical data-related literacies are persistently lacking.
Institutions should clearly define data literacy, embed it into governance frameworks, & integrate it into professional development & learning opportunities. Moving forward, investing in people will be just as critical—if not more so—than investing in analytics platforms.

Concerns about the need for human oversight in AI are growing.
Policies that define when & how human oversight is needed & discourage reliance on tools & systems that lack transparency will be essential. AI should augment—not replace—human decision-making. Institutions that embrace this balance will be better equipped to ensure the ethical, equitable, & accountable use of AI.

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EDUCAUSE @educause.bsky.social · 25d

AI and Resiliency are to words that go hand in hand with higher ed today. Lucky for you, we have amazing general session speakers at the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference that will speak on both!

Dr. Joy Buolamwini and Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III

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EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2025
October 27 - 30, Nashville, TN
November 12 - 13, Online

Tuesday October 28
Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Artificial Intelligence Expert, ARtis, Founder of Algorithmic Justice Leage & Author of National Bestseller Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines

Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski
STEM Education Leader, President Emeritus of UMBC, Co-Founder of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program & Author of The Resilient University