Reflections on Alliance ’24: The Power of Collaboration and Collective Pursuit

It's been a few weeks since the resounding success of HEUG's annual Alliance conference in Phoenix, Arizona. As the desert dust settled, I've had a chance to reflect on the event while experiencing Arizona's National Parks (Saguaro, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon) with some PTO tacked on after the conference.

At the top of my thoughts, Alliance 24' was a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective pursuit of advancing higher education and the public sector, internationally, to meet the needs of our faculty, staff, and students both today and for the years to come. The conference brought together industry leaders, experts, and talented professionals from around the world, fostering an environment of sharing, optimism, and connectedness. A key factor in pulling off such a successful event was the invaluable role played by our premier sponsors. I am compelled to express my profound gratitude for their unwavering support.

Gratitude to Premier Sponsors

To our longest and closest partner, @Oracle: Your partnership was pivotal in making this event a resounding success. As we opened our event by celebrating Oracle's Susan Biedler with a lifetime achievement award, we reflect on the decades of deep connections and bonds with the talented folks Oracle employs who have focused their careers on higher education, just like the members of the HEUG.

We extend our sincere thanks to Oracle for the impressive representation at Alliance 24, with 40 actively participating attendees and for hosting 14 Oracle-related sessions that contributed significantly to our conference program's success. As always, Oracle's commitment to our advisory groups, like Campus Academic Record Support (CARS) and Campus Student Financial Support (CSFS), exhibits the collaboration between the technology sector and higher education that is vital to advancing each institution's academic mission.

To Nicole Englebert, thank you for sharing your insights during the HEUGx panel discussion, and an engaging workshop on Preparing your migration journey to Oracle Student  – on behalf of the HEUG, we value your vision, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to Higher Education and the HEUG. To Steve Brawn, your roadmap presentation was enlightening and a clear hit with our attendees this year. And to the many friends made over the years at Oracle—such as Pam Snyder—and incredible former colleagues like Amanda Roberts, it was wonderful to see you again.

To @Ellucian, we are grateful for your continued and growing support for our association. With nearly 25 representatives engaging our membership, along with 9 sessions, your presence was felt by all, and the program offerings boosted the relevance for our membership where no two organizations are the same. Moreover, the support and sponsorship Ellucian provided to our C-Suite forum helped the HEUG provide an essential platform for leaders to come together, make meaningful connections, and generate rich discussions on cloud-based strategies and enterprise applications while promoting collaboration across the industry.

To Ellucian's Shannon Moore-Zuffoletto, Tara Corey, and Kelly Rogan: Your support of the HEUG, both in this year's Alliance conference and more broadly, has been instrumental in realizing the benefits of our strategic expansion to a vendor-inclusive association, broadening our reach and appeal by accurately reflecting the diverse technology portfolios used to drive campus success internationally across higher education. And to Laura Ipsen and Martin Banjo, we are extremely grateful for your time and attention during this event. Laura's gracious time commitment to Alliance through the HEUGx and time on our MainStage floor as a speaker was rich with insights and inspiration.

To @Drivestream, we want to extend heartfelt thanks for your premiere sponsorship and dedicated support of Alliance 24. We are grateful for your substantial contributions to our program through the 11 sessions covering a range of topics and the presence of your knowledgeable representatives. Our organization is proud of our relationship with Drivestream, whose ongoing dedication to advancing knowledge within the HEUG community, and the efforts to empower our membership with transformative solutions and best practices, has sewn seeds of innovation that will sprout for years to come.

To Drivestream’s Jacob Thomas, thank you for sharing your wisdom in sessions and during our TownHall Mainstage panel event on Industry Secrets on Navigating Successful System Implementations – your guidance and shared secrets proved invaluable for our attendees preparing for implementations, embarking on cloud journeys, and enhancing their institutional best practices and strategies. We also extend our thanks to Rajeev Ponnusamy and Arnulfo Mendoza, whose contributions and presence at our event elevated the program and the experience of our attendees.

To @Huron Consulting Group, we can't thank you enough for your continued support and commitment to the HEUG (and personally, for my introduction to the HEUG years ago). This year's role as a premier sponsor was no exception to your track record of making our flagship conference a success by ensuring our program, the vendor floor, and our closing night celebration were relevant, accessible, and vibrant. The closing night event has always been amongst the most fun ways to connect, let loose, and enjoy the company of others, and Huron's creativity produced an amazing video promoting the event, building anticipation and excitement, and ultimately adding the ‘special touch’ they are known for in all aspects of their work.

And while the desert temperatures at the beginning of March may have been cool, Huron brought the heat with over 30 program sessions and nearly 25 representatives, each of whom seemed to be in an internal competition for being both the brightest and kindest folks you could meet.

To Laura Zimmermann, thank you for your support of higher education and eagerness to share your wisdom on student management and enrollment. To Steve Hahn, it's always a pleasure to connect with you, and we are grateful that you were ready to share your experiences and insights in our C-Suite Forum and the TownHall Mainstage panel. And to the many former colleagues, mentors, and long-time friends like Nicole Oeser, Geoff Corb, and Abigail Kunz, I can't thank you enough for your presence, advice, and support.

A Vision for the Future: Continuing the Journey Together

As I reflect on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, the HEUG Board, and myself regarding this year's Alliance 24 conference, I am filled with immense gratitude for the crucial role played by our premier sponsors in ensuring its resounding success. Your unwavering support and substantial contributions were instrumental in creating an exceptional event that fostered collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation within the higher education community.

While hiking back to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon from Skeleton Point, I paused to catch my breath amid the awe-inspiring landscape. As my two tenacious children led the way, their determination and resilience reminded me of the importance of our collective mission. It is a privilege to lead an organization like HEUG, working alongside sponsors, colleagues, and friends who share a deep commitment to advancing higher education globally.

Together, we are paving the way for future generations to receive the support and resources they need to achieve their dreams. The attached image captures a moment of reflection in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and growth that drives our endeavors.

I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to continue leading this organization, collaborating with our esteemed sponsors, and contributing to the greater good on a global scale. With your steadfast partnership, we will continue to make strides in empowering institutions, educators, and students alike, shaping a brighter future for higher education.