March 14, 2025
K-State Salina leaders present at higher education technology conference
Kansas State University played a key role in shaping the future of technology in higher education at the Midwestern Higher Education Compact Technologies Community Conference, held February 26-28 in Chicago. The event brought IT leaders, administrators and policymakers together to explore innovative solutions in artificial intelligence, data analytics and strategic technology decision making for colleges and universities across the Midwest.
Matthew Carver, director of information technology at K-State Salina, and Michael Pritchard, associate dean of research and graduate programs at K-State Salina, served as panelists in a high-profile AI discussion and led a breakout session on data analytics. These discussions reinforced K-State’s leadership in the evolving tech landscape and explored opportunities for collaboration to enhance IT strategies across the region. The panel discussion resulted in recommendations for creating shared AI policies, curating training resources and exploring consortium purchasing to reduce costs. Another key takeaway was the potential development of regional shared computing resources, allowing smaller institutions access to advanced AI infrastructure.
Carver led a breakout session on data analytics, focusing on how institutions can translate data into meaningful insights for decision-makers. He emphasized the importance of a regional analytics community where institutions can collaborate, share best practices, and leverage collective data to advocate for best practices without relying on costly consultants.