Data and AI Define Higher Ed’s Path Forward: An EDUCAUSE Interview With Sam Burgio
Higher education is facing a growing paradox: Institutions need better data and AI-enabled insights to address enrollment, financial, and ROI pressures, yet many feel unprepared to adopt these tools with confidence. That tension, which is at the heart of the 2026 EDUCAUSE Top 10, raises an important question: How can institutions move toward data- and AI-enabled decision-making in a way that is responsible, realistic, and aligned with their missions?
In an interview with EDUCAUSE, Jenzabar President and COO Sam Burgio speaks directly to this challenge. Rather than treating data and AI as abstract trends, he explains why data analytics and AI tools are becoming practical starting points for institutions—tools be adopted incrementally to reduce complexity, strengthen decision-making, and support student success. Below, we provide a sneak peek into some of the insights from Sam’s interview.
Higher Education Should Consider Data First, AI Close Behind
For Sam, EDUCAUSE Top 10 Issue #3: Data Analytics for Operational and Financial Insights is the most urgent priority for today’s institutions. It’s no longer enough to rely on intuition or historical precedent; colleges need clear, actionable insight into retention risks, program viability, enrollment trends, and financial health.
But AI’s value lies in its ability to make data more accessible, not more complex, which is why Sam pairs Issue #3 with Issue #9: AI-Enabled Efficiencies and Growth. As Sam puts it, institutions shouldn’t need SQL knowledge or specialized skills to get answers. AI should empower people to ask a question and instantly pull insights from across campus systems.
The ROI Challenge: Why Institutions Struggle
While most institutions are energized by AI and analytics, Issue #6: Measured Approaches to New Technologies remains a sticking point for many institutions. Higher education leaders want to know: Is this technology worth the investment? Will it help us retain students, open new programs, or reduce costs? But the means for evaluating ROI remain elusive.
Sam explains that the right technology partner should assist you with ROI evaluation. Jenzabar’s goal is to help institutions determine not only whether a single tool pays off, but whether technology decisions support long-term mission, growth, and student outcomes.
Using AI for Enrollment, Readiness, and Retention
The interview includes several tangible examples of institutions using Jenzabar’s analytics and AI tools to improve student success. Sam emphasizes that higher education doesn’t need to “chase AI trends,” and he provides guidance for adopting AI in an ethical, mission-driven way.
You can read the full interview, including Sam's step by step guide for AI adoption, here.
