Key Takeaways
- Strategic IT Investments are Critical: Higher education institutions prioritize IT sustainability to safeguard security, ensure efficient governance, and support academic and administrative processes amid increasing operational demands.
- Key IT Trends Identified: Research across 78 institutions highlights trends such as cybersecurity enhancements, cloud-based system transitions, AI integration, and initiatives supporting inclusivity and mental health.
- Data-Driven Insights: By analyzing centralized IT project data, we gain insights into campus-wide challenges, evolving technological landscapes and community-focused technology planning.
The sustainability of IT systems is central to the security and governance of HigherEd institutions. As campuses face increasingly complex operational demands, investment in strategic IT priorities has become imperative. These projects not only protect institutional data but also ensure the seamless operation of academic and administrative processes, providing the infrastructure necessary for collaboration, innovation, and compliance with evolving regulations.
This research examines IT projects currently implemented across 78 higher education institutions in North America and Europe. Drawing from a diverse sample of universities and colleges of varying sizes and governance structures, we analyze centralized IT project data publicly available on institutional websites. This approach allows us to identify overarching themes and trends, such as the prioritization of cybersecurity frameworks, the transition to cloud-based systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence or advanced data analytics tools. By focusing on the collective scope of these initiatives, this study underscores their strategic value in addressing campus-wide challenges.
Methodology
Unlike other media outlets that summarize discussions among a few CIOs and experts about predicted technological trends for the coming year, we take a data-driven approach. We compiled a list of IT projects currently underway at dozens of institutions. This year, we analyzed IT project information published on the websites of 78 universities and colleges across North America and Europe. These institutions span a range of enrollment sizes, and while most are public, our sample also includes 13 private institutions.
To create our Top 10 list, we reviewed the content of 78 IT project webpages from North America and Europe. We focused exclusively on centralized IT project pages, including:
- Northeastern University ITS Ongoing and Future Projects
- University of Colorado IT Governance Projects
We did not include project-specific pages, such as:
Last year, solution representatives also asked why certain products were excluded while their competitors are included. This is simply due to how universities choose to present their projects. Our analysis is always unbiased and based solely on the data available.
The IT projects we identified are grouped into key themes. To qualify for this post, a theme must appear on at least 10% of the institution websites (eight universities). If a single institution lists multiple projects under a theme, we separate them using “//”.
List of IT Projects by Key Themes
Click on the down arrow sign to see the list of institutional project names.
IT Priorities Groupings and Explanations
1. Network and Security: Network Systems (32), Security (24), Device Management (8)
With identity theft and cyber-attacks on the rise, universities, like other businesses with a large technological footprint, must prevent these attacks. Network upgrades, software updates, and investments in security infrastructure are necessary to attain this goal.
2. Core Systems: Student Information Systems (17), Enterprise Resource Planning (17), Human Resource Systems (12)
Student records, employee records, and invoicing, are vital IT systems needed to ensure smooth operations in higher education. With an average age of ten years for most of these systems, it is normal that 25-40% of universities are in the process of replacing or updating these systems each year.
3. Data and Storage: Cloud Storage (17), Data Management (15), Document Management (8)
Universities are investing in cloud platforms and cloud storage to ensure that students and employees alike can work more efficiently in a more secure environment. Cloud storage projects are also linked to data management strategies to organize, secure, and utilize data assets. It aligns data practices with business goals, enhances data quality and security, and supports the organization’s ability to leverage data for innovation and competitive advantage.
4. Identity Management: Access and Identity Management (18), Portals (11), Card and Credential Solutions (9)
This grouping includes identity management and multi-factor authentication. Combined with network systems and security projects, single-sign-on projects ensure that the security of IT infrastructure is at its peak and that academic data is secure.
5. Communication: Telephony and Fax (16), Content Management Systems (10)
Following the pandemic and the restructuring of some services offered on campus, institutions have reduced the need to have physical landlines and many prefer to use Teams (or similar systems) as their main communication device.
6. Learning Perspectives: Learning Management Systems (13), Conferencing Systems (9)
One of the key missions of any university is to provide the best learning experience to its students. Investing in learning management systems and online video infrastructures is necessary, especially since the pandemic hit.
7. Student Support Systems: Accessibility Software (9), Wellness and Mental Health (8)
Student well-being and accessibility solutions encompass tools that focus on fostering inclusivity, equity, and holistic support for all students. Accessibility software ensures that students with disabilities can fully engage with academic resources, while wellness and mental health platforms provide crucial support for managing stress, maintaining mental well-being, and promoting a healthy campus environment.
8. Artificial Intelligence (13)
Universities use artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, improve the student experience, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving educational landscape. AI streamlines administrative processes, personalizes learning experiences, and provides round-the-clock support through virtual assistants. It also helps identify at-risk students, analyze institutional data for strategic decision-making, and drive innovation in research. By leveraging AI, universities can create more inclusive, adaptive, and effective environments that meet the diverse needs of students and staff.
9. Productivity Suites (11)
These days, it’s unthinkable to go a day without opening our e-mail or using one of our productivity tools, such as word processing, spreadsheets or presentation software. Even though these projects may seem less critical than those related to security, for example, they remain essential to an effective technological environment.
10. Help Desk Systems (9)
As universities move into more complex technology environments, offering more computerized solutions, IT departments need to invest in accompanying solutions for technical support. In our sample, projects are very diverse, although implementation of new help desk systems are more numerous.
How Does This Study Compare to the 2025 EDUCAUSE Top 10?
Although in previous years, the Educause Top 10 article title included “IT” in it, they always included business priorities that are not necessarily linked to IT departments. This year is no exception.
Furthermore, we have seen that priorities put forward by institutions sometimes matched their project roadmap.
Here is a side-by-side table of the Educause Top 10 and ours:
| Educause | ListEdTech | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Data-Empowered Institution | 3. Data and Storage | Our findings on cloud platforms, data management, and AI align with EDUCAUSE’s emphasis on leveraging data innovation, efficiency, and enhanced student success. |
| 2. Administrative Simplification | 2. Core Systems | Upgrading and replacing core systems directly supports administrative simplification, mirroring EDUCAUSE’s focus on modernizing processes and technology. |
| 3. Smoothing the Student Journey | 6. Learning Perspectives | Enhancing learning management and conferencing systems contributes to improving the student journey, aligning with EDUCAUSE’s goal of personalizing services for students. |
| 4. A Matter of Trust | 1. Network and Security | Investments in security infrastructure, network upgrades, and device management align with EDUCAUSE’s priority of safeguarding privacy and securing institutional data. |
| 5. The CIO Challenge | Our analysis does not focus on business challenges, restructuring or policy changes. Therefore, this EDUCAUSE priority does not have an equivalency in IT projects. | |
| 6. Institutional Resilience | Same as above | |
| 7. Faster, Better, AND Cheaper | 8. Artificial Intelligence and 10. Help Desk Systems | Artificial Intelligence supports institutional automated processes and upcoming personalized experiences to both students and employees. In addition, help desk systems streamline technical support allowing for a faster problem resolution. |
| 8. Putting People First | 7. Student Support Systems | Supporting student well-being, accessibility, and help desk systems demonstrates a shared focus on prioritizing the needs of people, as EDUCAUSE advocates. |
| 9. Taming the Digital Jungle | 4. Identity Management | Our findings align with EDUCAUSE’s priority of unifying digital infrastructure for greater efficiency and effectiveness. |
| 10. Building Bridges, Not Walls AND Supportable, Sustainable, and Affordable | 5. Communication AND 9. Productivity Suites | It is essential to provide university communities with the tools they need to communicate effectively with one another and with university structures. |
What Can We Learn From This Research?
The IT priorities identified in this research highlight the strategic importance of technology in addressing the evolving challenges faced by higher education institutions in 2025. From enhancing security and modernizing core systems to leveraging artificial intelligence and fostering inclusivity, these projects reflect a collective effort to build resilient, efficient, and student-focused campuses.
By analyzing data from 78 institutions across North America and Europe, we provide a comprehensive overview of the IT themes shaping higher education. These findings not only complement broader industry trends, such as those identified by EDUCAUSE, but also underscore the critical role of data-driven insights in guiding decision-making.
As institutions continue to navigate a complex technological landscape, the success of their IT strategies will depend on their ability to prioritize sustainability, innovation, and the holistic needs of their communities.