2026 University of Illinois System Data Summit

Introduction

The 2026 Data Summit is a one-day conference bringing together faculty and staff from across the University of Illinois System to explore how data can be used to drive strategic impact at our universities. Now that we have laid the foundation of building the bridge to the future of data strategy at last year's summit, we look forward to the 2026 Data Summit: Data as Common Ground, where we'll strengthen our common ground and align on what comes next.

Highlights of the day include:

  • Keynote Address
  • Engaging panels and breakout sessions on data strategy, governance, literacy, and innovation
  • Networking opportunities with colleagues from across the University of Illinois System
  • Select sessions livestreamed for virtual participants

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Illinois Ballroom - Illinois Conference Center
111 St. Mary's Rd.
Champaign, IL 61820

Agenda — 2026 University of Illinois System Data Summit: Data as a Common Ground

(Sessions with an * will be streamed)

Welcome*

Time: 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Speaker: Nick Jones, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Keynote Address*

Time: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Speaker: Ashish Sharma, Climate and Urban Sustainability Lead at the Discovery Partners Institute

Graduate faculty member in the Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Data Strategy Overview*

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Speakers:

  • Hannah Christensen, Associate Director of Data & Technology Innovation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Heather Coates, Assistant Director of Data Strategy, University of Illinois System
  • Amy Edwards, Associate Provost and Director of the Division of Management Information, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Shefali Mookencherry, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Matt Riley, Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Chief Information Officer, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Matt Suda, Director of Institutional Research, University of Illinois Springfield
  • Dimuthu Tilakaratne, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, University of Illinois System
  • Josephine Volpe, Executive Associate Vice Provost for Advising Development and Student Systems, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Thomas Warfield, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Research, University of Illinois Chicago

Moderated Session with Chancellor Isbell and University Community Members*

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Lunch

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Afternoon Topics

Time: 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Illinois Ballroom

The Digital Attic: Clearing Clutter, Reducing Risk, Preserving History

  • Kathleen Corcella, Information Governance Coordinator, University of Illinois System
  • Spenser Bailey, Records & Information Management Coordinator, University of Illinois System
  • Leanna Barcelona, Assistant Professor & University Archivist, University of Illinois Chicago
Alma Mater Room

Data Literacy Training

  • Lucy Chang, Data Analyst, University of Illinois System
Lincoln Room

Data Communities Benefits and Achievements

  • Michelle Rome, Associate Director for Information and Data Services, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Matt Suda, Director of Institutional Research, University of Illinois Springfield
  • Thomas Warfield, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Research, University of Illinois Chicago
Quad Room

A Tale of Two Campuses: Research Data in A Changing Federal Landscape

  • Nick Angeloni, Director of Research Analytics, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Dan Harmon, Director of Data and Systems, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Time: 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Illinois Ballroom

Finance And Research Administration Data in the EDW

  • Jerry Myers, Functional Area Coordinator, University of Illinois System
Alma Mater Room

Student Data in the EDW

  • Melinda Ohlsson, Data Analytics Solutions Coordinator, University of Illinois System
Lincoln Room

Human Resources Data in the EDW

  • Alison Campbell, Functional Area Coordinator, University of Illinois System
Quad Room

Next Generation Data Analytics (1:30 - 2:30)

  • Rick Getty, Director of Decision Support, University of Illinois System
  • Mike Wonderlich, Senior Associate Director Innovation & Architecture, University of Illinois System

Time: 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Illinois Ballroom

Challenges and Limitations of Sepsis Detection with AI

  • Andy Boyd, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Chief Research Information Officer, University of Illinois Chicago
Alma Mater Room

Helio Campus Data Overview

  • Thomas Warfield, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Research, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Xiaobei Chen, Assistant Provost and Director of Data and Analytics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Joseph Ward, Solutions Architect, University of Illinois Springfield
Lincoln Room

Data Literacy Exploratory Group Discussion

  • Heather Coates, Assistant Director of Data Strategy, University of Illinois System
Quad Room

Next Generation Data Analytics (cont.)

  • Rick Getty, Director of Decision Support, University of Illinois System
  • Mike Wonderlich, Senior Associate Director Innovation & Architecture, University of Illinois System

Time: 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Illinois Ballroom

AI at Work: Unlocking Innovation and Productivity with Microsoft Copilot

  • Saleha Rizvi, Data Analytics Solutions Coordinator, University of Illinois System
Alma Mater Room

Beyond Graduation: What Our Graduates' Earnings Reveal About Economic Mobility

  • Cheyenne Galentine, Resource & Policy Analyst, University of Illinois System
Lincoln Room

Data Integration for Effective Student Success: Conceptualizing the Student Achievement and Retention Platform (SARP)

  • Stanley Zebulon, Program Director, University of Illinois Springfield
Quad Room

Use Cases for Denodo

  • Susan Gerini, Director of Information Management, University of Illinois System
  • Alex Hall, Business Intelligence Support Analyst, University of Illinois System

Time: 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Illinois Ballroom

Building an Open-Source IPEDS Data Pipeline with AI Assistance

  • Nicholas O'Dea, Executive Associate Vice Provost for Advising Development and Student Systems, University of Illinois Chicago
Alma Mater Room

Research Data in Three Stories of Purpose, Perspective, and Policy

  • Heidi Imker, Allen and Elaine Avner Professor in Interdisciplinary Research and Director, Research Data Service
Lincoln Room

It Takes Two to Tango, Data Modernization & Data Governance

  • Moni Jena, Director of Data Governance, University of Illinois Foundation
  • Tanweer Alam, Director of Advance Intelligence, University of Illinois Foundation at Urbana-Champaign
Quad Room

Transforming BusinessOps with AI Enablement

  • Radhi Reddy, Director of Software Development and Delivery, University of Illinois Chicago

Privacy Collaboration Roundtables by Shefali Mookencherry

Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks and Identify Topics for Future Discussion*

Time: 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.