Advancing Technology Together: Highlights from the 2026 CISOA Technology Summit
The California Community Colleges technology community convened March 9–12, 2026, at the Riverside Convention Center for the annual Chief Information Systems Officer Association (CISOA) Technology Summit, an event dedicated exclusively to technology professionals across the system. This year’s summit saw strong engagement, with 841 attendees, 98 sponsoring companies, and more than 60 educational sessions designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
CollegeBuys played an active role in this year’s conference as both a partner and a thought leader in procurement strategy. Notably, more than 27 of the sponsoring companies were CollegeBuys vendors, underscoring the program’s strong alignment with the technology marketplace and its continued commitment to delivering value to California Community Colleges.
A highlight of the summit was the session “Who Does What: Simplified Procurement with CollegeBuys.” Presented by Kevin Wutke, Senior Director of Enterprise Partnerships at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and Hsiawen Hull, Executive Director of Infrastructure and Information Security at College of the Canyons, the session provided a comprehensive look at how CollegeBuys enables streamlined, compliant technology procurement. Attendees were guided through the full lifecycle of the CollegeBuys procurement process, from initial district interest to the development and use of systemwide contracts. The session outlined how compliant agreements are established, clarified which compliance elements are handled within CollegeBuys contracts, and defined the roles and responsibilities of districts when utilizing these agreements. The speakers also highlighted strategies for effectively leveraging CollegeBuys as a systemwide resource, encouraging districts to actively engage and help inform them of future procurement opportunities.
Beyond the sessions, CollegeBuys strengthened its partnership with CISOA by hosting the CISOA Board for dinner. The gathering provided an opportunity to express appreciation for the strong collaboration over the past year and to celebrate ongoing enhancements made in support of the technology community.
The summit also marked a leadership transition within CISOA. Attendees recognized the contributions of outgoing board members and extended gratitude to Rupa Saran for her service as CISOA President. As she passed the baton, the community welcomed Jim Temple as the incoming president, along with newly elected board members who will help guide the organization forward.
The 2026 CISOA Technology Summit once again demonstrated the power of partnership across the California Community Colleges system. Through collaboration, shared expertise, and a collective commitment to innovation, the event continues to advance the technology landscape in meaningful and impactful ways.
