The State of Higher Education: A Fireside Chat with Regional CIOs

Join us for a live, virtual fireside chat with an all-star line-up of higher education IT leaders. Hosted by Brian Cohen, Vice President of the Center for Digital Education, this panel will share the challenges, emerging trends and initiatives shaping the higher education landscape.

Designed for private-sector professionals, this 30-minute discussion will pinpoint opportunities, help fine-tune business strategies and validate sales and marketing activities.

At the end of the event, engage directly with our panel during a live Q&A.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and identify new avenues for business growth.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Steven Ferguson, Chief Information Officer, Technical College System of Georgia

Steven Ferguson is a 23-year veteran of the IT industry. As the Chief Information Officer for the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), he leads a talented team of IT professionals in support of TCSG’s technical education, adult education, economic development, and workforce divisions across the 88 campuses of Georgia’s 22 technical colleges. Recently, he spearheaded the adoption and deployment of an award-winning artificial intelligence chat bot, successfully championed a data center infrastructure consolidation initiative, standardized, and expanded enterprise cybersecurity technologies and led the system through the rollout of a new mobile app to enhance the student experience.

Robert Montgomery, Vice Chancellor for Information Technologies/CIO, Oakland Community College

Robert (Bob) Montgomery has worked with Information Technology for more than 40 years- developing a broad base of experience through employment in telecommunications, manufacturing, and education. He has been with Oakland Community College for 20 years- the last eleven in his current role as Vice Chancellor of Information Technologies/CIO.

Bob is an active member of the e.Republic Higher Education IT Leadership advisory board, Merit IT Executive Forum, Society for Information Management, MCCA IT Leaders Affinity Group, and serves as the Vice President of the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education.

Standish Stewart, Vice President and CIO, Cuyahoga Community College District

Standish Stewart is the Vice President of Information Technology Services and the Chief Information Officer at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Throughout her career, she has worked for large consulting companies, mid-size nonprofit organizations, start-up technology firms, hospitals, and academic institutions. An avid problem solver, Standish enjoys transforming processes to improve the student, faculty, and staff experience. She relishes hands on technical work as much as crafting strategy and engaging with institutional leaders to innovate and embrace new technologies. Standish earned a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, an MS in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management from Cleveland State University

Brian Cohen — Moderator, Vice President, Center for Digital Education

Brian Cohen is the Vice President of the Center for Digital Government and Center Digital Education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian served for 30 years in IT leadership roles with the City of New York and most recently with the City University of New York (CUNY).