Pathify and Higher Ed Leaders Tackle AI Integration at EDUCAUSE 2026

The conference features two core sessions addressing these operational pressures. On September 30, Pathify CTO Chris Hagan will join Los Angeles Community College District CIO Dan Watkins and MIT Sloan’s Rajiv Shridhar for a panel on governance and the practical deployment of conversational AI agents. Hagan argues that institutions must prioritize a robust digital foundation to ensure AI reduces campus friction rather than introducing further technical debt.

Following this, an October 2 panel titled "The Art of the Essential" will shift focus to the broader challenge of technology sprawl. IT and administrative leaders from the California Institute of the Arts, Central Michigan University, and the University of Utah will discuss methods for evaluating portfolios to create more unified, student-centered environments. This focus on cohesion aligns with Pathify’s recent recognition as part of the inaugural EDUCAUSE Higher Ed Ready Program, a designation highlighting the company’s alignment with specific academic needs. The conference runs from September 29 through October 2, serving as a venue for institutions navigating the transition from legacy systems to integrated, AI-driven platforms.