Technology 2025 Plan
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension’s Technology 2025 Plan addresses how the organization should identify, adopt, and apply information technologies to engage clientele. The plan focuses on (1) engaging learners; (2) delivering research-based extension programming; and (3) selecting tools and developing skills needed to deliver transformative education.
Read the PlanTo aid in our planning for the next 5 years of Extension technology needs and vision, we hosted a number of webinars to guide our plan based on the direction of the technological world.
Open Content and Licensing for Nebraska Extension
Cable Green, Interim CEO & Director of Open Education, Creative Commons
Dr. Cable Green works with the global open education community to leverage open licensing, content, practices and policies to significantly improve access to effective, open education and research resources so everyone in the world can attain all the education they desire. His career is dedicated to increasing access to educational opportunities for everyone around the world. He’s a leading advocate for open licensing and procurement policies that ensure publicly funded education materials are freely and openly available to the public that paid for them.
Cable has 25+ years of academic technology, online learning, and open education experience and helped establish the Open Course Library, Open Up Resources, OER Policy Registry, CC Certificate, CC Open Education Platform and multiple other projects. Cable holds a PhD in education psychology from Ohio State University, and enjoys motorcycling and playing in the mountains with his family. He lives in Washington State with his wife and two boys.
UNL Tech Support for Nebraska Extension
Heath Tuttle, CIO, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Heath Tuttle has served as Chief Information Officer since August 1, 2019. In this role, Tuttle reports jointly to the UNL chancellor and the vice president of information technology for the NU system.
Tuttle most recently served three years as the university’s assistant vice chancellor for information technology. While working to expand the institution’s compliment of IT systems, Tuttle led the university’s transition of cloud-based learning systems; implemented a campuswide student email system; guided the remodeling and technology upgrades in 150 general purpose classrooms; and managed an annual budget of $7 million.
The Future of Media Arts and Their Impact on Education
Megan Elliott, Director, Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
Megan Elliott is the founding director of the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts. She was previously the manager of leadership and community connections at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia and former director and CEO of digital media think-tank X Media Lab. From 2015-2016, Elliott served as the manager of Leadership and Community Connections at the University of Technology Sydney in Sydney, Australia’s number one young university, where she led an international program for students to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills, as well as instilling a commitment to innovation, social justice, community building and sustainability.
Elliott has deep ties to emerging media industries across Asia, Europe and the world. She served as co-founder and director of China Creative Industries Exchange in Beijing and Shanghai, China, from 2007-2015.From 2005 to 2015, Elliott was the director/chief executive officer for X Media Lab (XML), an internationally acclaimed digital media think-tank and creative workshop for the creative industries that she co-founded with Brendan Harkin. XML creates a meeting place uniquely designed to assist companies and people to get their own creative ideas successfully to market. Some of XML’s partners include the Sydney Film Festival, Beijing Film Academy, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India, the national broadcaster (NPO) in Amsterdam, the American Film Institute, Digital Hollywood and 5D Global in Hollywood, the British Council, and the Federal Office of Culture in Switzerland.
Artificial Intelligence
Jason Morales. Data and IA Business Strategy Leader, Microsoft
Jason focuses on Solutions and he immerses myself in projects that contribute to making the world a better place.His professional experience includes working for Microsoft as a Business Intelligence/Big Data Specialist on the US Education team, and efforts as Founder of MING Studios, a nonprofit art center and artist residency program based in Boise, both help to inform and inspire his passions for applying data technologies to improve Education, the Arts and Community.
He is adept at qualifying actionable opportunities and developing plans that promote real impact. He has a reputation for being called upon to help tackle tough challenges, to expand and substantiate strategic business partnerships and to provide key insights into how to best measure accountabilities. He has a proven track record for consistently exceeding sales revenue targets which motivates his colleagues, partners and managers to rely on him me as a crucial team player when engaging complex projects and deals.
Email Easan Selvan, MS Representative to UNL
The Internet of Things
Vishal Singh, CEO, Quantified Ag
Vishal has worked in the computing industry, first with PC Today and Smart Computing magazines and then in the video game industry. He has over 18 years of experience in the Agriculture Technology (AgTech) industry, with projects ranging from 3D visualizations of animal anatomy to mobile apps and website development. He has developed custom drones for plant crop imaging and previously completed projects with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and individual state beef councils. Additionally, Vishal has experience in project and team management, interactive technology component design, including user interface and usability through web and mobile applications. Vishal has experience with analytics and dashboarding for valuable insights in a variety of areas in agriculture. Vishal’s undergraduate degree is in computer graphics/visual communications. His master’s degree is in broadcast where he completed user interface usability research.
Future Opportunities in “Big Data”
Chris Fulcher, Director, Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES)
Chris Fulcher serves as Director for the Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES) at the University of Missouri Extension and Engagement. Dr. Fulcher’s geospatial sciences approach to decision making enables public and nonprofit sector organizations to effectively address social, economic, environmental, and public health issues using custom collaborative management systems. Chris and his team integrate Geographic Information Systems, data visualization, and community engagement tools to better serve vulnerable and underserved populations.
Trends in Technology
Lee Rainie, Director of Internet & Technology Research, Pew Research Center
Lee Rainie is the director of internet and technology research at Pew Research Center. Under his leadership, the Center has issued more than 650 reports based on its surveys that examine people’s online activities and the internet’s role in their lives. The American Sociological Association gave Rainie its award for “excellence in the reporting on social issues” in 2014 and described his work as the “most authoritative source of reliable data on the use and impact of the internet and mobile connectivity.”
Future of Social Media and Engagement
Jeremy Lipschultz, Social Media Lab, University of Nebraska–Omaha
Jeremy Harris Lipschultz is Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). He is lead at the UNO Social Media Lab and in the fourth year of a Rural Futures Institute (RFI) award to develop social media best practices for about one dozen communities. Lipschultz is guest editor for the 75th Anniversary issue of Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, where he has been book review editor for a decade. He teaches Social Media Measurement & Management; Communication Law & Policy; Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), and other courses.
Future of Cloud Technologies
Joey Avraham, Google for Higher Education
Joey, currently works at Google Cloud in Higher Education Sales, covering the Midwest. At Google, Joey has also held the role of Strategic Projects and Programs Manager. In his 13-year career in Higher Education sales, Joey has worked at major tech firms such as Microsoft, Dell, and SHI. Joey graduated from Northern Illinois University with both an MBA and Accountancy degree. Outside of work, Joey is a devoted husband and father of a one-year-old girl. In his free time, Joey trains for Natural Bodybuilding Contests, keeps up with videogames and snowboards. We hope you will join this learning opportunity to learn about the future of cloud technologies.
Information, Data Security, and Privacy
Kirk Langer, Chief Technology Officer, Lincoln Public Schools
Throughout his 29 years with Lincoln Public Schools Kirk Langer has held a variety of technology positions responsible for implementing technology capable of acting as a catalyst to increase business productivity and teacher effectiveness in support of student learning. Kirk has been a driving force in a transformation that has moved Lincoln Public Schools from a district that integrated technology, to a district where technology is integral to the learning process, delivery of instruction and service. This work over the past four years has combined, connected and aligned the efforts of stakeholders in Curriculum, Technology, School Improvement, Finance and Operations.