Join us for MTech Connect 2026: Innovation for the Public Good, a professional development and community-building event sponsored by the Michigan Technology Community. This dynamic, future-focused gathering brings 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 can advance the public good within higher education and beyond.
Building on the success and tradition of previous MTech events and symposia, MTech Connect 2026 will highlight the ways U-M technology professionals are using emerging tools, thoughtful design, data, infrastructure, accessibility practices, cybersecurity, 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 will feature interactive sessions, poster presentations, keynote remarks, and networking opportunities designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, resources, lessons learned, and success stories. Participants will have opportunities to explore how technology can support mission-driven work, strengthen institutional collaboration, and help create more inclusive, sustainable, and effective services across U-M. Attendees will leave with new connections, practical strategies, and inspiration for applying innovation in ways that serve people, strengthen communities, and support U-M’s public mission.
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.
Event Date and Location
Date: October 20, 2026
Venue: Central Campus Classroom Building (CCCB); rooms include CCCB1420 (Keynote & Luncheon), plus additional breakout rooms for presentations and posters (2420, 2460, 3420, 3460 and others)
Format: Hybrid (in-person attendance and virtual participation via Zoom)
Agenda
- 8–9 a.m. Registration & Networking Breakfast
- 9–9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
- 9:15–10 a.m. Keynote Address - Anika Gardenhire, Michigan Medicine
- 10–10:30 a.m. Coffee Break & Networking
- 10:30–11 a.m. Morning Breakout 1
- 11:15-11:45 a.m. Morning Breakout 2
- 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Luncheon & Social Lounge
- 1–2:15 p.m. The poster session
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. Afternoon Breakouts
- 2:45–3 p.m. Coffee Break & Networking
- 3:00–3:45 p.m. Afternoon combined session OR Afternoon Keynote
- 3:45–4 p.m. Closing Remarks