Maryland higher ed IT leaders examine tech’s role in student success
On June 17, 2026, information technology (IT) executives from academic institutions across Maryland convened to discuss critical priorities in a rapidly changing field. The Maryland Higher Education IT Leadership Summit fostered an exchange of ideas while exploring innovative approaches to student and organizational success.
Ashish Patel, senior vice president and chief information officer at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), participated in the daylong event in Adelphi, Maryland, with more than 100 attendees.
"It was valuable to connect with peers across Maryland to both learn from their AI journeys and share how we’re approaching this work at UMGC," Patel said.
Patel spoke during the first session as part of a panel that examined the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Panelists focused on how they are using AI in ways that align with institutional strategy.
“AI is not a technology initiative—it’s a campus-wide transformation,” Patel said.
He pointed out that UMGC sees meaningful opportunities in AI, particularly personalizing and unifying the student experience, streamlining administrative tasks, and furthering strategic goals. He noted that AI adoption was already paying off through the Student 360 initiative, cybersecurity AI tools, and other capabilities the university is piloting. Built in collaboration with and used by UMGC success coaches, Student 360 helps guide students along their academic journey.
“AI helps surface the right information to prioritize student outreach and enable more precise student interventions,” said Patel, of UMGC’s human-centered approach to artificial intelligence. In other words, AI tools can help success coaches offer one-on-one support to learners when they need it most.
Asked to predict where the relationship between AI and higher education was heading, Patel offered that widespread fear of AI replacing jobs will decline.
“The role of the IT organization is shifting from technology ownership to enabling value creation and a more connected operating model,” said Patel. “A cultural shift towards trust, speed, and accountability will be the renewed enterprise focus.”
He and other panelists did highlight potential concerns like increased pressure for people to move faster, and the need to improve capabilities in cybersecurity and risk response, the latter being subjects Patel is particularly attuned to given UMGC’s largely online model.
"There’s a perception that progress can feel slow, but what we’re hearing—and what’s resonating—is that building the right foundation in data, governance, and cybersecurity is essential to long-term success,” Patel said.
“Forums like this reinforce that we’re on the right path, while also strengthening collaboration across institutions."
Panels following Patel’s continued the conversation, with detailed looks at governance in AI, the criticality of cybersecurity, and centering humans in the experience.
Learn more about how UMGC is building accountable AI around student outcomes in this May 2026 video.