Composing Smarter Data Solutions

April 22-23, 2026

GOLD SPONSOR

Venue

Hilton New Orleans Riverside*
Two Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70130 USA
+1 (504) 561-0500

*Reservations are managed via the AACRAO room block. You will see their name on hotel confirmations for the April Data Summit. Discounted rooms are available on a first-come basis until the allotment is sold out, or until March 31, 2026. No code is required online – when making a reservation, under attendee type please select “Attendee“.

BOOK your stay

Questions?

Email info@PESC.org for assistance.

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The Future of Data Starts Here

Join us in New Orleans on April 22–23, 2026, for the PESC April 2026 Data Summit — a focused, collaborative gathering of leaders and practitioners working to advance trusted data exchange across education. Taking place immediately following the AACRAO Annual Meeting, the Summit offers a unique opportunity to continue the conversation, deepen connections, and explore the innovations shaping our data ecosystem. Set in a city known for its rhythm and creativity, the Summit offers the perfect setting to exchange ideas, spark innovation, and keep our collective work moving forward in harmony.

The Voices Shaping the Education Data

The PESC Data Summit brings together a dynamic group of experts and thought leaders from across the education data community. Representing higher education institutions, technology partners, standards leaders, and policy organizations, our speakers offer diverse perspectives and real-world experience. Through their sessions, they explore emerging trends, shared challenges, and new opportunities in data exchange, interoperability, governance, and the effective use of data to support student success and institutional innovation.

**MATT BEMIS**
Associate Registrar,
University of Southern CA (USC)

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Why Attend?

Develop Data-Driven Strategies

Stay ahead of the curve with keynote presentations and panel discussions from industry pioneers. Discover emerging technologies, and innovative practices that are transforming education.

Connect with Industry Leaders

Share ideas, build partnerships, and expand your professional network by connecting with a diverse community of higher ed technology and data specialists.

Further Your Professional Development

Hear from thought leaders who are driving change in the education sector. Gain valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing educational data today and tomorrow.

Experience a Culture of Collaboration

Participate in interactive conversations designed to provide practical skills and knowledge. Learn from experts in data interoperability, transcripts, microcredentials, and more.

View Program

Submit a Future Session

Navigate the evolving landscape of student data exchange at the PESC April Data Summit. This program features interactive general sessions designed to spark discussion and share practical insight across the community. Topics include electronic transcripts (LER/CLR, JSON-LD, and related frameworks), credentials, artificial intelligence, data standards, PESC and partner updates, emerging best practices, and more.

Program

Program and schedule subject to change.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026

12:30pm-1:30 pm – Registration

1:30pm-1:50pm – Welcome & Opening Remarks

SPEAKERS:

Hillary Halpern, Sr. Director of Program Deployment, University of Phoenix and PESC Program Committee Chair
Marten Roorda, Senior Advisor, Gates Foundation
Monterey Sims, Director of Admissions, Evaluations, University of Phoenix and PESC Board Chair

Kick off the PESC April Data Summit with a warm welcome from Program Committee Chair, Hillary Halpern, and PESC Board Chair, Monterey Sims. This opening session will introduce the goals of the Summit, recognize the collaborative efforts of our community, and prepare attendees for two days of shared learning and meaningful engagement. Marten Roorda of the Gates Foundation will also share a few words on behalf of EDUcore.

1:50pm-2:30pm – Standards and AI: A Critical Partnership

SPEAKERS:

Brandon Dorman, AI Expert and Solutions Architect, EDUcore Project
Hillary Halpern, Sr. Director of Program Deployment, University of Phoenix
Alex Jackl, Data Standards United (DSU) Chair, CEO & Founder, BardicSystems, PESC Board Member
David K. Moldoff, Founder & CEO, AcademyOne, Inc., PESC Board Member

A growing set of myths and superstitions surrounds AI and the tools that arise from it. One of the most pervasive: that AI eliminates the need for structured data and standards. In fact, the opposite may be true — structured data and established semantics may matter more in an AI-driven world, not less.

This session explores AI’s input requirements, its output needs, and how both interact with today’s newest tools — making the case that standards are not a relic of the pre-AI era but a foundation for it. We’ll begin with a short presentation followed by interactive discussion and Q&A, setting the stage for the sessions ahead as we examine how these new technologies are reshaping the standards landscape.

2:30pm-3:00pm – Inside the DSU Reference Library: A New Resource for the Data Standards Community

SPEAKERS:

Alex Jackl, Data Standards United (DSU) Chair, CEO & Founder, BardicSystems, PESC Board Member
Marten Roorda, Senior Advisor, Gates Foundation

A deep dive into the Data Standards United (DSU) reference library, a shared resource designed to support interoperability and standards alignment across the education data community. This session will explore the library’s scope, structure, and practical applications for institutions, developers, and standards practitioners working to improve data exchange and consistency in postsecondary education.

3:00pm-3:30pm – Snack Break

3:30pm-5:00pm – Aligning the Education Data Ecosystem

SPEAKERS:

Alex Jackl, Data Standards United (DSU) Chair, CEO & Founder, BardicSystems, PESC Board Member
Marten Roorda, Senior Advisor, Gates Foundation
Vivian Wong, Group Vice President, Oracle HIgher Education and PESC Board Member

A discussion on advancing alignment across the education data landscape, bringing together standards bodies, institutions, and technology providers to explore how greater coordination can improve interoperability, data quality, and outcomes for learners. This session examines opportunities to expand the conversation to new stakeholders and build a more connected, consistent education data ecosystem.

5:15pm-6:15pm – Networking Happy Hour

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026

7:30am-8:30am – Continental Breakfast & Registration

8:30am-9:15am – From Record to Recognition: LERs, AI, and the Interoperability Gap in Admission

SPEAKER:

Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)

As digital credentials and learner records reshape admissions, higher education faces new opportunities – and ongoing challenges. This session will explore how AI is influencing admissions processes, what AACRAO has learned from global initiatives like GDN, and where the ecosystem still falls short for true interoperability. Join us for a discussion on the future of student records, system fragmentation, and the evolving standards landscape.

9:15am-10:00am – From Silos to Shared Outcomes: Cross‑Agency Data Alignment for Education ↔ Workforce Pathways in Louisiana

SPEAKER:

Melissa Buckley, Senior Director of Strategy and Market Insights,
National Student Clearinghouse
Amy Cable, Chief Student Affairs Officer, Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)

Education-to-workforce initiatives often require coordination across multiple state partners, including boards of regents, K–12 or departments of education, and workforce agencies. This session will share practical lessons from coordinating with these partners to identify what must be standardized to bridge education and workforce programs at scale.

The discussion will focus on aligning colleges and state agencies around shared data elements, governance, and change control. These elements support interoperable data and help education-to-workforce initiatives operate as a single ecosystem rather than parallel efforts.

10:00am-10:30am – Refreshment Break

10:30am-11:15am – Governing a National Digital Credential Network: A Canadian Federated Case Study

SPEAKERS:

Sarah Ghys, Customer Success Manager, Parchment by Instructure
Jodi Tavares, MA LSGB CPCL, Executive Director, ARUCC MyCreds | MesCertif

As digital credential exchange expands globally, much of the conversation focuses on technical standards and interoperability. Yet publishing a standard does not guarantee sustainable adoption. Governance design — not technology alone — determines whether national credential infrastructures succeed.

This session presents a Canadian case study of governing a federated digital credential network now serving more than 70% of publicly funded post-secondary institutions. Rather than operating as a centralized authority, the network functions through shared governance, distributed institutional control, cost-sharing mechanisms, and coordinated standards alignment.

11:15am-11:25am – JSON-LD Transcript Workgroup Update: Building the Next Generation of the PESC Transcript Standard

SPEAKER:

Jim Kelly, Principal, Jim Kelly Technologies

Join us for an update from the JSON-LD Transcript Workgroup on progress toward developing a JSON version of the PESC Transcript Standard. This session covers the workgroup’s current status, key milestones, and the path toward a learner-centric, employer-friendly educational record that complements existing EDI, PDF, and XML formats.

11:25am-12:00pm – The Blending of CPL and RPL Workflows with AI: Stories from the field on recognition, evaluation, and scale

SPEAKER:

David K. Moldoff, Founder & CEO, AcademyOne, Inc., and PESC Board Member

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are often managed through separate and fragmented workflows across institutions and systems. This session will examine how these processes are beginning to converge through AI-assisted evaluation.

The discussion will highlight key challenges, including fragmentation and the burden on faculty, registrars, and evaluators. It will also explore how AI can support evidence interpretation, mapping, and pre-evaluation, while maintaining the importance of human validation in final decisions.

Drawing on examples from the field, the session will demonstrate how learner portfolios can be structured and how competencies, courses, and experiences can be aligned. It will also highlight where current workflows break down and where improvements are emerging.

Attendees will gain insight into how AI-supported approaches are enabling more consistent and scalable evaluation workflows while preserving human judgment.

12:00pm-1:30pm – Luncheon Sponsored by EDUcore

1:30pm-1:40pm – CanPESC Update: Canadian Voices at PESC

SPEAKER:

Doug Holmes, e-Transcripts Manager, Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and CanPESC User Group Chair

The Canadian PESC User Group (CanPESC) is passionate about educational data exchange and its many benefits to schools and students. A healthy percentage of Canadian universities, colleges, high schools, and school districts are sending their academic transcripts as PESC XML formatted data. However, some still send in EDI while, yet others are sending proprietary data formats (XML or otherwise). In addition, most schools also send PDF transcripts. CanPESC’s free and open Common Digital Layout (CDL) tool coupled with emerging AI solutions could help Admissions Officers and Transfer Evaluators more efficiently review all these transcripts for the admissions and transfer decisions they need to make to help students on their educational journey.

1:40pm-2:15pm – Embedding AI in the Learning Environment: Data Standardization for Support Scale

SPEAKER:

Hillary Halpern, Sr. Director of Program Deployment, University of Phoenix

As AI becomes a bigger part of the learning experience, institutions must move towards scalable, and intentional integrations that build student AI literacy. This session explores how the early use of an AI assistant within the LMS can support users while revealing opportunity areas to help address student needs.

Using information and experiential data from results of leveraging AI in an LMS environment, attendees will review insights found from integrating AI services into student core experiences. The session also highlights how structured, interoperable data supports continuous improvement, helping institutions create a more informed, adaptive, and future-ready academic ecosystem.

2:15pm-2:50pm – Beyond Records: Higher Ed in the AI Era: From Systems of Record to Event-Driven Systems of Outcomes

SPEAKER:

Vivian Wong, Group Vice President, Oracle HIgher Education and PESC Board Member

Artificial Intelligence is accelerating a fundamental shift in how higher education institutions operate and innovate. As traditional systems of record evolve, institutions are increasingly exploring event-driven, outcome-focused models that enable more responsive, personalized, and data-informed decision-making.

In this forward-looking session, Vivian Wong, Group Vice President, Oracle Higher Education and PESC Board Member, will examine how the AI era is reshaping institutional strategy, technology ecosystems, and the way outcomes are defined and delivered. Attendees will gain perspective on emerging trends, practical considerations, and the broader implications for the future of higher education.

2:50pm-3:00pm – AACRAO SPEEDE Committee Update

SPEAKERS:

Sue Reyes, Manager of Workflow and Content, San Diego State University
Monterey Sims, Director of Admissions, Evaluations, University of Phoenix and PESC Board Chair

Session description coming soon.

3:00pm-3:30pm – Snack Break

3:30pm-3:45pm – GEO Code Update

SPEAKERS:

Matt Bemis, Associate Registrar, University of Southern California (USC) and GEO Code User Group Co-Chair
Anthony Uljanic, Senior Director of Technology, Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)

An update from the GEO Code User Group on recent and upcoming developments to PESC’s global institution code directory service. This session highlights backend improvements to data quality and duplicate recognition, progress on institutional continuity tracking, and security upgrades to GEO Code web services. Attendees will also hear about plans to reestablish regular workgroup meetings as GEO Code continues to grow in adoption, data strength, and reliability.

3:45pm-4:30pm – New Data Paradigm: A Revolution and Evolution in the Learning and Employment Ecosystem

SPEAKERS:

Alex Jackl, Data Standards United (DSU) Chair, CEO & Founder, BardicSystems, PESC Board Member
Jason Tyszko, Senior Vice President, Policy and Programs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

With the advent of AI and new leadership in the ecosystem, there is a new opening for action and progress in the learning and employment ecosystem.

The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation and many partners — including the Gates Foundation’s EDUcore initiative, multiple states, and many standards bodies including PESC — are working together to create a public-private partnership and a federated, AI-ready infrastructure to support the movement of data in a way that will support the lifelong needs of learners, employees, employers, institutions, and state and federal agencies.

This ambitious but timely project has the opportunity to truly revolutionize what is possible for our ecosystem.

This session will be an interactive session to explore what is possible and what you — as stakeholders — are looking for out of this work.

4:30pm-5:00pm – Closing Session

5:00pm – Adjourn

Share Your Expertise – Become a Summit Speaker

Community submissions for the April 2026 Data Summit are no longer being accepted. However, PESC is seeking dynamic and informative in-person sessions for future Data Summits that address a variety of topics related to student data, including:

Open Standards and Standards Alignment
Emerging Technologies
The Future of Work and Education
Privacy, Security, & Compliance
Institutional & Policy Perspectives
Trends & Future-Focused Topics

We encourage submissions from:

Higher education professionals
Education technology providers
Data experts and analysts
Policymakers and researchers

Benefits of presenting at the April Data Summit:

Share your expertise with an international audience of education leaders.
Network with colleagues and potential partners in the field.
Gain recognition as a thought leader in student data exchange.
Contribute to shaping the future of education.

Submit a proposal

Help Shape the Summit Program

Help shape the direction and impact of future PESC Data Summits by joining the Program Committee. Committee members collaborate to guide session topics, review proposals, and ensure the program reflects the needs and priorities of the education data community. This committee meets for one hour weekly, with light collaboration in the interim. If you’re interested in contributing your expertise and helping build a meaningful and engaging Summit experience, we invite you to get involved — please contact us at info@pesc.org to learn more.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Hillary Halpern, Program Committee Chair & Sr. Director of Program Deployment, University of Phoenix
Dennis Becker, Registrar, University of Denver
Melissa, Buckley, Sr. Director of Strategy and Market Insights , National Student Clearinghouse
Mark Cohen, Product Manager for Infrastructure & Data Services, California Community Colleges Technology Center
Bryant Faust, President, IV Consulting Enterprises, AACRAO Representative
Alex Jackl, Founder & CEO, Bardic Systems, Data Standards United Chair
Jennifer Kim, Sr. Director of Operations, PESC
Michael Sessa, President Emeritus, PESC
Monterey Sims, Director of Admissions & Evaluations, University of Phoenix
Cathy van Soest, Director of Client Relations, EducationPlannerBC
Jodi Tavares, Executive Director, ARUCC MyCreds | MesCertif
Vivian Wong, Group Vice President, Oracle Higher Education

All Summit registration payments must be received by Friday, April 3, 2026. Registrations submitted after this date must be paid by credit card at the time of registration.

Registration Fees

PESC Members receive discounted rates! Learn more about joining PESC.

PESC Member Rate: USD $950

Non-Member Rate: USD $1,100

This Summit is in-person. The Conference Package includes:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026

Interactive General Sessions & Networking
Afternoon Snacks & Refreshments
Evening Reception

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026

Interactive General Sessions & Networking
Continental Breakfast
Mid-Morning Refreshment Break
Luncheon
Afternoon Snacks & Refreshments

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellation & refund requests must be submitted to PESC in writing (e.g. email) and will be processed 30 calendar days after the April 2026 Data Summit concludes. Any person who registers and decides not to attend MUST submit a formal cancellation request – otherwise full payment is due. Cancellation and refund requests made by March 20, 2026 may be considered for a refund upon request. Any cancellation and refund request made after March 20, 2026 is not eligible for a refund regardless of the attendance of the registrant. All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted to Jennifer Kim at jennifer.kim@pesc.org.

REGISTRATION POLICY

PESC requires that all speakers, moderators, chairs and attendees of Data Summits register and remit registration fees to attend Data Summits. PESC thanks all speakers, moderators & chairs and is truly grateful for their efforts in volunteering to provide updates and presentations at Data Summits. Only in rare instances, however (that is if a speaker is only attending a Data Summit for a specific session or presentation), can registration fees be considered for waiver and only by the PESC office.

NOTICE OF FILMING AND RECORDING

By participating in this event, you agree that you may be filmed, photographed & recorded, and you grant PESC and our affiliates the right to use, publish, and copyright your picture, likeness and/or name and/or audio recording in videos and/or photos taken during this event for use by PESC and our affiliates throughout the world, in perpetuity, and through media.

REGISTER now

Explore the Area

Hotel

Hilton New Orleans Riverside*
Two Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70130 USA
+1 (504) 561-0500 (mention the AACRAO block)
$269/night++

Check In: 4pm CT
Check Out: 11am CT

Parking: $50/day (self-parking); $58/day (on-site valet)

*Reservations are managed via the AACRAO room block. You will see AACRAO on hotel confirmations for the April Data Summit, NOT PESC. Discounted rooms are available on a first-come basis until the allotment is sold out, or until March 31, 2026. No code is required online – when making a reservation, under attendee type please select “Attendee“.

AMENITIES & SERVICES

Indoor tennis court
HealthClub by Hilton
2 outdoor heated pools
Indoor pickleball
FedEx Business Center
Avis on-site car rental
Ringletts Salon
Eateries, restaurants, and lounges
Gift shop
Direct access to Riverwalk Outlets

BOOK your stay

Area Airport

The closest airport near the Hotel is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans National Airport (MSY), approximately 13 miles from the hotel.

Explore New Orleans

Located along the Mississippi River, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside places attendees in the heart of one of America’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. Just outside the hotel, the Riverwalk offers scenic waterfront views, shopping, and dining, while the nearby French Quarter invites visitors to stroll historic streets, explore local galleries, and experience landmarks such as Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. The city’s distinctive architecture, lively atmosphere, and rich traditions make it an unforgettable destination.

New Orleans is equally celebrated for its cuisine and music. Visitors can enjoy renowned Creole and Cajun dishes — from gumbo and jambalaya to fresh seafood and the iconic beignets at Café du Monde. Live jazz and local performances can be found throughout the city, particularly along Frenchmen Street, showcasing the musical heritage that defines New Orleans. Beginning April 23, the city also hosts the renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, bringing world-class performances, local culture, and cuisine together in one of the region’s signature annual events.

Additional attractions include the National WWII Museum, riverboat cruises on the Mississippi, and guided tours highlighting the city’s history and culture. Whether discovering local flavors, visiting historic sites, or taking in the unique character of the city, New Orleans offers many opportunities to enhance your stay.

PESC Data Summits bring together experts, thought leaders, and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of technology and data in the higher education sector.

Audience

PESC Data Summit participants are often C-Level, VP, and/or Directors with direct responsibility for buying and influencing the purchase of new tech solutions:

President, CEO, Founder, Executive Director, Principal
CIO, CTO, COO, CPO
Vice President, Director
Project Lead, Manager, Supervisor
Registrar, Associate Registrar
Technologist, Analyst, Developer, Architect

Partnering on a PESC Data Summit at the Silver or Gold Level markets your organization to 2,000+ higher ed data and technology specialists. The earlier you become a sponsor, the more exposure your brand will receive through our various social media, email, and in-person events.

Why Sponsorship Matters

Showcase Expertise: Position your organization as an industry authority in data exchange and interoperability within the education sector.
Enhance Brand Visibility: Increase your brand’s visibility and recognition among an engaged audience.
Community Leadership: Share insights, solutions, and best practices with Summit attendees while contributing to improving educational data practices.
Long-Term Engagement: Connect with decision-makers, influencers, and potential clients in the education technology space. Build lasting relationships and foster strong relationships within the PESC Community.

Please contact Jennifer.Kim@PESC.org with all sponsorship inquiries.

sponsor now

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