MTech Connect 2026: Innovation for the Public Good was a professional development and community-building event sponsored by the Michigan Technology Community that took place during U-M’s Fall Break on October 20, in the Central Campus Classroom Building (CCCB). This dynamic, future-focused gathering brought together technology professionals from across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint, and Michigan Medicine campuses for a full day dedicated to exploring how technology, collaboration, and innovation could advance the public good within higher education and beyond.
Building on the success and tradition of previous MTech events and symposia, MTech Connect 2026 highlighted the ways U-M technology professionals were using emerging tools, thoughtful design, data, infrastructure, accessibility practices, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital services to improve experiences, solve complex problems, and create meaningful impact for students, faculty, staff, patients, and the broader community.
The event featured interactive sessions, poster presentations, keynote remarks, and networking opportunities designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, resources, lessons learned, and success stories. Participants had opportunities to explore how technology could support mission-driven work, strengthen institutional collaboration, and help create more inclusive, sustainable, and effective services across U-M. Attendees left with new connections, practical strategies, and inspiration for applying innovation in ways that served people, strengthened communities, and supported U-M’s public mission.
Event Highlights
- 9 a.m. Opening remarks by Dr. Ravi Pendse (VP for IT and U-M CIO)
- 9:15 a.m. Keynote address by Anika Gardenhire (Chief Digital Information Officer, Michigan Medicine) (Recording)
- 10:30 a.m. Breakout Session 1
- 11:15 a.m. Breakout Session 2
- 1 p.m. Poster Session
- 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session 3
- 3 p.m. Panel Discussion: "Technology for the Public Good: Perspectives from Across U-M" (Recording)
- 3:45 p.m. Closing Remarks
2026 Image Gallery
Event Objectives
- Foster Dialogue: Bring together diverse U-M voices to discuss how technology can support innovation for the public good, including its role in service delivery, research, teaching and learning, operations, health care, accessibility, and community engagement.
- Showcase Innovation: Highlight projects, programs, tools, and approaches from across U-M that demonstrate creative and effective uses of technology to solve real-world challenges and improve outcomes.
- Promote Community: Create opportunities for collaboration, networking, and knowledge-sharing among technology professionals, campus partners, academic units, Michigan Medicine, and external partners or vendors.
- Champion Inclusive and Ethical Technology: Support conversations around accessible, equitable, responsible, and human-centered technology practices, including the ethical use of AI, data, automation, and digital platforms.
- Identify Opportunities and Challenges: Explore emerging trends, barriers, and opportunities in higher education technology, including workforce needs, digital transformation, cybersecurity, infrastructure, service design, and organizational change.
- Support Continuous Development: Empower U-M technology professionals to learn, grow, and apply new skills while contributing to mission-driven innovation across the university.