UC hosts successful annual Ohio higher education computing council

The University of Cincinnati played host to the Ohio Higher Education Computing Council in May, bringing together information technology organizations and professionals within institutions of higher education across the state.

The annual conference provides an opportunity for colleges and universities to share effective IT strategies, allowing ideas to be transferred to other campuses and enhancing education for students across Ohio and beyond. This includes statewide problem-solving committees, negotiating contracts to secure purchasing discounts for all schools, and cultivating lasting relationships among IT professionals.

UC Assistant Professor Jeffrey Shaffer, left, director of the applied AI lab and Bharath Prabhakaran, vice president and chief digital officer, attend the Ohio Higher Education Computing Council. Photo/Jennifer Delaney

Jason Gerst and Mike Mitchum led the host committee, along with help from Charlotte Brinneman-Groppenbecker, Jenn Delaney, and Ben Hutchison.

Amber Lovett and her team from Conference & Event Services also played pivotal roles in coordinating logistics and scheduling.

Keynote speakers Jeffrey Shaffer, director of UC's Applied AI Lab, and Chris Berry, CEO of OhioX, shared their insights on the future of analytics, innovation and technology leadership in Ohio.


properties.imgAlt
Hosting the OHECC Conference was an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas, build strategic partnerships, and align our efforts with statewide innovation in higher education technology.

Bharath Prabhakaran UC vice president and chief digital officer

"Hosting the OHECC Conference was an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas, build strategic partnerships, and align our efforts with statewide innovation in higher education technology. We hope that events like OHECC will continue to accelerate digital transformation at the University of Cincinnati.”

In addition to the keynote speakers, sessions were led by representatives from various Ohio universities and vendors. Topics were organized into four tracks centered on the theme of transforming higher education through digital innovation. This included academic IT policies and strategies, infrastructure, data management and information security, as well as instructional technologies and support.

Featured image at top: The University of Cincinnati played host to the Ohio Higher Education Computing Council. UC Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Bharath Prabhakaran welcomes guests to the conference.

Related Stories

1

Putting preschool into perspective

July 20, 2026

Preschool and childcare can be difficult to navigate for parents, as Spectrum News 1 Ohio recently reported. Waitlists are long, and factors like cost, location and transportation can limit options. According to a recent study published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, only 41% of 3- to 4-year-olds in Ohio were enrolled in preschool between 2020 and 2024 — a 4% decrease from pre-pandemic numbers. For University of Cincinnati early childhood education faculty member Chad Nunamaker, that statistic has caveats.

2

UC experts say proper produce washing is key defense against Cyclospora

July 17, 2026

Hamilton County Public Health reports confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, as concerns persist. Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause a stomach illness lasting days — sometimes even weeks. University of Cincinnati medical experts say it is usually linked to contaminated water or food, often fresh produce.