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As Workday Rising 2026 approaches, higher education institutions and government agencies are looking for new ways to maximize the value of their Workday investment. While AI and digital transformation will be major themes throughout the event, one trend deserves particular attention: the growing connection between Workday and Snowflake. 

For many organizations, Workday serves as the system of record for workforce, finance, and student data. Snowflake complements that role by providing a scalable platform for enterprise analytics, cross-system reporting, and AI-ready data environments. Together, they help organizations move beyond transactional processes and gain deeper insights from their data. 

Why Snowflake and Workday Are Becoming a Strategic Priority for Higher Education and Government 

Workday and Snowflake serve distinct but complementary purposes. 

Workday centralizes critical business and operational data. Snowflake enables organizations to bring together information from Workday and other enterprise systems to support analytics, reporting, planning, and AI initiatives at scale. 

For higher education institutions and government agencies, this integrated approach can help: 

  • Improve student success and retention initiatives 
  • Enhance workforce planning and talent analytics 
  • Strengthen financial planning and forecasting 
  • Create enterprise-wide reporting across multiple systems 
  • Support future AI and advanced analytics initiatives 

As organizations continue to modernize their technology ecosystems, the ability to connect operational data with enterprise analytics is becoming increasingly important. 

What Workday Data Cloud and the Snowflake Partnership Mean for Workday Customers 

Workday continues to expand its vision for a connected data ecosystem through Workday Data Cloud and strategic partnerships that improve access to HR, finance, and operational data for analytics and AI use cases. 

At the same time, Workday and Snowflake have also announced deeper collaboration focused on secure data sharing, enterprise analytics, and AI innovation. 

As these capabilities evolve, higher education and government leaders should pay attention to several key trends: 

  • More secure access to Workday data for analytics and reporting 
  • Reduced reliance on manual exports and disconnected reporting processes 
  • Stronger integration between Workday and broader enterprise data ecosystems 
  • Greater support for advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI initiatives 
  • Increased emphasis on data governance, security, and compliance 

These developments create new opportunities for organizations to generate insights from trusted data while maintaining appropriate governance controls. 

Extending the Value of Workday with Snowflake 

Many organizations are discovering that ERP modernization and data modernization deliver the greatest value when pursued together. 

At Xavier University, Workday implementation and data transformation initiatives were undertaken concurrently. Workday served as the operational system of record while Snowflake unified data from multiple institutional systems into a single analytics platform, helping provide trusted insights and support informed decision-making. 

This approach reflects a broader shift occurring across higher education and government. Rather than relying solely on operational reporting, organizations are building connected data environments that provide a more complete view of students, employees, finances, and organizational performance. 

Key Questions to Ask at Workday Rising 2026 

As you plan your agenda, consider exploring questions such as: 

  • How does our analytics strategy extend beyond standard Workday reporting? 
  • What role should Snowflake play in our long-term data architecture? 
  • How can we better connect Workday data with other enterprise systems? 
  • What data capabilities are needed to support future AI initiatives? 
  • How can we improve access to insights while maintaining governance and security? 

These conversations can help organizations move beyond ERP modernization and develop a more comprehensive data and analytics strategy. 

The Future of Workday Analytics, AI, and Data Strategy 

Workday Rising 2026 will feature discussions about AI, analytics, and the future of work. For higher education and government leaders, one of the most important themes to watch will be how organizations are combining Workday and Snowflake to support better reporting, stronger decision-making, and long-term AI readiness. 

Organizations that establish a connected and well-governed data strategy today will be better positioned to realize the full value of their Workday investment tomorrow. 

As a certified Workday partner and Snowflake Elite Partner, Avaap helps institutions and agencies bridge the gap between operational systems and enterprise analytics by combining Workday expertise with modern data, analytics, and AI capabilities built on Snowflake. 

Heading to Workday Rising 2026? Schedule time to connect with the Avaap team and discuss your Workday, data, analytics, and AI priorities. 

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As higher education leaders prepare to gather at EDUCAUSE 2026, colleges and universities are navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape shaped by AI, advanced analytics, student success initiatives, and digital transformation efforts. Institutions are balancing enrollment pressures, budget constraints, growing expectations for personalized student experiences, and increasing demands for data-driven decision-making. At the same time, new innovations in AI, analytics, and cloud technology are creating opportunities to improve outcomes while doing more with existing resources. 

The annual EDUCAUSE conference has long served as a barometer for the future of higher education technology, and this year is expected to be no different. Based on conversations across the industry and the priorities we’re hearing from institutions, these are five higher education technology trends Avaap will be watching closely at EDUCAUSE 2026. 

1. AI in Higher Education Moves from Experimentation to Institutional Strategy 

The conversation around AI in higher education has matured significantly. While many institutions spent the past few years testing generative AI tools and developing initial policies, attention is now shifting toward enterprise-wide adoption strategies. 

Rather than asking whether AI should be used, higher education leaders are increasingly focused on questions such as: 

  • How can AI improve the student experience? 
  • Where can AI reduce administrative burden? 
  • What governance structures are needed to ensure responsible use? 
  • How can institutions build trust among faculty, staff, and students? 

We are seeing growing interest in how AI can help institutions address workforce challenges, improve student support, strengthen decision-making, and streamline administrative operations.  The institutions making the most progress aren’t necessarily the ones deploying the most AI tools. They are the ones aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals, governance frameworks, and measurable outcomes. 

At EDUCAUSE 2026, we expect many conversations to focus on practical AI implementation, governance, and value realization rather than experimentation alone. 

2. Student Success Technology and Predictive Analytics Become More Proactive 

Student success remains central to institutional strategy, but the technologies supporting learners are becoming increasingly sophisticated. We also know that as staffing constraints continue across higher education, institutions are also looking for ways to scale student support without sacrificing personalization.  Colleges and universities are moving beyond retrospective reporting and toward predictive models that help identify potential risks before they impact retention and completion. By combining academic, enrollment, financial, and engagement data, institutions can gain earlier insight into student needs and intervene more effectively. 

Technology leaders are increasingly partnering with enrollment management, academic affairs, and student services teams to answer questions such as: 

  • Which students may need additional support? 
  • What factors influence persistence and completion? 
  • How can interventions be personalized at scale? 
  • What data can help improve student outcomes? 

The next generation of student success technology will be driven less by dashboards alone and more by actionable insights that help institutions make timely, informed decisions. Institutions that can connect data with proactive intervention strategies will be better positioned to improve student outcomes and advance institutional goals. 

3. Higher Education Data Strategy Powers Analytics and AI 

Many colleges and universities have invested heavily in analytics over the past decade. However, as AI and advanced reporting become more prevalent, institutions are discovering that success depends on the quality, accessibility, and governance of their underlying data. Higher education leaders increasingly recognize that fragmented data systems limit their ability to generate trusted insights, support AI initiatives, and make informed institutional decisions. As a result, there is growing emphasis on creating trusted data foundations that connect information across the institution. 

At EDUCAUSE 2026, we expect discussions around: 

  • Data governance and stewardship 
  • Enterprise data strategies 
  • Modern analytics platforms 
  • Institutional data literacy 
  • Cross-functional reporting and planning 

Strong data foundations are becoming a prerequisite for both effective analytics and responsible AI adoption. Institutions that invest in data quality, governance, and integration will be better positioned to support innovation, improve decision-making, and maximize the value of future technology investments. 

 4. Digital Transformation Focuses on Institutional Agility 

Higher education leaders continue to face significant workforce and budget pressures. Many institutions are being asked to deliver the same level of service, or more, with limited staffing and resources. 

This reality is accelerating interest in modernizing administrative operations across finance, human resources, payroll, grants management, procurement, and student services. 

Cloud platforms, automation tools, and streamlined business processes are helping institutions improve operational efficiency while creating better experiences for employees and students alike. 

However, modernization is no longer simply about replacing legacy systems. Institutions are increasingly focused on maximizing the value of their technology investments through: 

  • Process optimization 
  • Change management 
  • User adoption strategies 
  • Cross-department collaboration 
  • Continuous improvement 

The conversation is shifting from simply deploying technology to maximizing adoption, outcomes, and long-term value realization. Institutions are looking beyond implementation milestones and focusing on sustainable transformation that delivers measurable business and academic impact. 

5. Workforce Readiness, AI Literacy, and Digital Skills Remain Critical 

Technology alone cannot transform an institution. People remain the most important factor in successful digital transformation. 

As AI, analytics, and cloud technologies become more embedded in daily operations, colleges and universities are working to build new skills across their workforce. Technology leaders are recognizing that long-term success requires more than deploying new tools. It requires helping faculty, staff, and administrators understand how to use them effectively. 

Institutions are increasingly investing in: 

  • AI literacy programs 
  • Professional development 
  • Data literacy training 
  • Digital fluency across campus 

The goal is to create a culture where technology supports institutional priorities rather than becoming another layer of complexity. 

At EDUCAUSE 2026, we expect workforce readiness to remain a key topic as institutions explore how to prepare employees for an increasingly technology-enabled future and ensure their investments in technology translate into meaningful outcomes. 

Why These Higher Education Technology Trends Matter in 2026 

While each of these trends may seem distinct, they share a common theme: institutions are searching for ways to connect technology investments with measurable outcomes. Whether the focus is AI adoption, student success, data strategy, operational efficiency, or workforce development, higher education leaders are seeking practical approaches that support their mission while navigating ongoing financial, demographic, and operational pressures. 

The conversations at EDUCAUSE 2026 will likely highlight a common reality facing institutions: technology alone is not the goal. Success depends on aligning people, processes, data, and technology to advance institutional priorities and improve outcomes for students, faculty, and staff.  Many institutions are looking for ways to increase institutional capacity, improve decision-making, and better support students and employees without significantly increasing resources.   

As EDUCAUSE 2026 approaches, we look forward to engaging with higher education leaders about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of higher education technology. 

Heading to EDUCAUSE 2026? We’d enjoy comparing notes on the challenges and opportunities higher education leaders are navigating today and discussing what’s next for our institutions.   

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Higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to improve student outcomes while navigating complex data environments. 

Many assume they must complete their Workday implementation before addressing data modernization, analytics, or student retention initiatives. 

Xavier University is proving otherwise. 

By modernizing its data environment in parallel with its Workday rollout, Xavier accelerated its student success strategy and established a scalable foundation for long-term impact. 

The Challenge: Limited Visibility Slowed Proactive Student Support 

Like many institutions, Xavier University was committed to improving retention and graduation outcomes but faced challenges due to fragmented data systems. 

Before this initiative: 

  • Student data lived across multiple systems and reports 
  • Advisors lacked visibility into academic, financial, and engagement indicators 
  • Faculty and staff had to piece together a student’s full experience 
  • Leadership lacked a unified, real-time view of persistence trends 
  • Evaluating outreach effectiveness required manual analysis 

As a result, student success teams relied heavily on manual reporting processes, limiting their ability to act quickly and proactively. 

A Strategic Start: Aligning Around Data-Driven Student Success 

Xavier partnered with Avaap’s Data, Analytics, and AI team to define a shared vision for data-driven student success. 

Over two months, the team established a strong foundation through: 

  • A current-state assessment of data and reporting processes 
  • More than 40 stakeholder interviews across eight departments 
  • Documentation of institutional goals and priorities 
  • Alignment on a long-term analytics strategy 

This work ensured the solution would address immediate needs while supporting future innovation. 

The Approach: Modernizing Data in Parallel with Workday 

Rather than taking a sequential approach, Xavier advanced data modernization alongside its Workday implementation. 

This allowed the university to: 

  • Deliver insights earlier in the transformation process 
  • Avoid delays associated with waiting for a fully mature ERP 
  • Establish a strong data foundation while systems were evolving 

As Xavier CIO Sheri Thomas shared: 

“By modernizing our data in parallel with our Workday implementation, Xavier was able to accelerate our student success strategy. Using Snowflake to unify Workday data with other critical sources enabled our first student persistence analytics capabilities, delivering immediate value and empowering leaders to support students proactively.” 

The Solution: A Unified Platform for Student Retention Analytics 

Working together, Avaap helped Xavier implement a modern data environment designed to support proactive student success. 

Centralized Data Platform 

  • A Student 360 data model brings together data from across the institution 
  • Expanding Workday integrations strengthen the connection between systems and analytics 

Automated Data Processing 

  • Alteryx automates data preparation 
  • Manual reporting processes are significantly reduced 

Interactive Analytics and Dashboards 

  • Tableau dashboards provide intuitive, interactive visualization 
  • Insights are accessible to both advisors and leadership 

Supporting Advisors with Timely, Actionable Insight 

The platform enables student success teams to evaluate patterns across key indicators: 

  • Academic performance 
  • Financial indicators 
  • Student engagement signals 
  • Enrollment and progression patterns 

With frequently updated data, advisors can: 

  • Identify students who may need additional support 
  • Search and filter students by ID, major, cohort, or indicators 
  • Understand enrollment patterns and term-to-term progress 

This reduces time spent gathering information and increases time spent supporting students. 

Enabling Strategic Decision-Making for Leadership 

In addition to supporting advisors, the platform provides leadership with a strategic view of student success. 

Leaders can: 

  • Monitor persistence and enrollment trends across cohorts 
  • Identify patterns across academic, financial, and engagement indicators 
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of student success initiatives 
  • Inform institutional planning and investment decisions 

The Results: Earlier Intervention and Stronger Outcomes 

Xavier now has a modern analytics platform that enables more proactive and informed decision-making. 

Key outcomes include: 

  • Earlier student support through improved visibility into student needs 
  • More effective advisor time with less effort spent on manual reporting 
  • Institution-wide visibility into persistence trends 
  • Reduced manual reporting through automation 
  • A foundation for future innovation across admissions, student success, and planning 

What’s Next: Expanding the Impact of Analytics 

The Undergraduate Student Persistence Analytics platform represents the first step in a broader vision for data-enabled decision-making. 

Future opportunities include: 

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of student support initiatives 
  • Expanding insights for admissions and enrollment teams 
  • Supporting academic departments with program-level analytics 
  • Continuing to integrate new data sources through Workday and Snowflake 

Together, these efforts are helping Xavier create a more connected, proactive student success ecosystem. 

What Higher Ed Leaders Can Learn 

Xavier’s experience reinforces a key takeaway: 

Data modernization and Workday transformation do not need to happen sequentially. With the right approach, they can progress together to deliver faster, more meaningful results. 

Institutions can begin building retention analytics capabilities even without fully mature data environments when they focus on collaboration, practical progress, and scalable architecture. 

Join the Webinar: See the Approach in Action 

Want to learn how to apply this approach at your institution? 

In the upcoming webinar, Scaling Student Success: Advancing Snowflake and Workday in Parallel, you’ll hear directly from: 

  • Sheri Thomas, AVP and Chief Information Officer, Xavier University 
  • Kimberly Moore, VP of Student Affairs and Chief Success Officer, Xavier University 
  • Annaleah Morrow, Ph.D., VP of Customer Success, Avaap 

You’ll walk away with: 

  • Practical steps to advance student retention analytics during an active Workday transformation 
  • Guidance on structuring a collaborative data initiative 
  • Approaches for navigating data quality challenges 
  • Insights into how cloud platforms like Snowflake support scalable data foundations 

Save your spot to explore how Xavier is advancing student success with modern data. 

Register for the Webinar

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With the start of 2026, organizations are prioritizing their digital transformation roadmap to stay competitive and agile. One theme continues to dominate boardroom conversations: digital transformation. The pace of change isn’t slowing down, and the organizations that thrive will be those that embrace innovation, modernize their systems, and align technology with strategic goals. 

Why You Should Start Your 2026 Digital Transformation Roadmap Now 

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to evaluate your technology landscape. Legacy systems may have served you well, but they often limit agility, scalability, and the ability to deliver exceptional experiences for employees and customers. A well-planned digital transformation roadmap ensures your organization can operate more efficiently, make data-driven decisions, and adapt quickly to market changes. 

Key Steps to Build a Successful 2026 Digital Transformation Roadmap 

1. Align Technology with Business Strategy 

  • Define your organization’s top business priorities for 2026. 
  • Ensure every technology initiative directly supports these goals. 
  • Treat digital transformation as a business enabler, not just a system upgrade. 

2. Assess Current Systems and Gaps 

  • Conduct a comprehensive audit of your technology stack. 
  • Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and manual processes prone to error. 
  • Use findings to prioritize investments and eliminate redundancies. 

3. Focus on Data & Analytics

  • Establish strong data governance policies for accuracy, security, and compliance. 
  • Integrate data across silos to create a single source of truth. 
  • Data is the foundation of transformation. Ensure your roadmap includes strategies for data governance, integration, and advanced analytics to empower better decision-making. 

4. Plan for Change Management 

  • Provide training programs to upskill employees on new tools. 
  • Engage stakeholders early to build buy-in and adoption. 

5. Leverage Cloud and Automation 

  • Modernize infrastructure with cloud solutions for scalability and flexibility. 
  • Deploy automation tools to reduce costs and free resources for innovation. 
  • Explore AI-driven workflow tools for customer service and supply chain 

Looking Ahead: Making Your 2026 Digital Transformation Roadmap Actionable 

Digital transformation is not a one-time project—it’s an ongoing journey. By starting now and building a clear roadmap, you position your organization for success in 2026 and beyond. Avaap is here to help you navigate this journey with expertise, proven methodologies, and a commitment to delivering measurable outcomes. 

Ready to start your transformation?  

Connect with our team to learn how Avaap can help you design and execute a roadmap that drives real business value. 

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As higher education faces demographic shifts, fiscal pressures, and rapid technological change, 2026 will mark a turning point for colleges and universities. We believe that institutions that embrace innovation while maintaining trust and governance will lead the way. Continue reading to learn more about Avaap’s expert predictions for 2026 higher education trends.

Avaap’s 2026 Higher Education Predictions:

1. Agentic AI and the “Trusted Campus Assistant” Era

By 2026, colleges will transition from merely experimenting with generative AI to integrating systems that actively assist students, faculty, and administrators with tasks like scheduling, advising, and initiating workflows. The key factor will be trust and governance: how institutions curate, rather than just deploy, AI to enhance human judgment.

2. Financial Sustainability Through Shared Services

As demographic and fiscal pressures grow, institutions will increasingly combine administrative and technology functions — creating regional or mission-aligned micro-consortia that share ERP platforms, analytics hubs, and even data governance frameworks. The aim: maintain institutional identity while achieving scale and efficiency.

3. Data-Driven Academic Strategy and Workforce Alignment

Colleges are set to integrate institutional data with labor market analytics and learner outcomes, transforming program planning from a reactive approach to a predictive one. We can anticipate an increase in skills intelligence platforms, redesigning curricula based on employability data, and developing tools to optimize faculty workload that links teaching efforts to student success and ROI.

4. Tech Fluency Becomes the New Student Satisfaction Metric

By 2026, institutions that effectively utilize administrative and learning technologies will significantly outperform those that only implement these tools without mastery. As hybrid and AI-assisted learning become more prevalent, the key differentiator will not be merely accessing technology, but rather how intuitively it is used to organize courses, foster connections, and enhance teaching—rather than replacing it.

Why These Trends Matter

As we approach 2026, higher education leaders must act now to prepare for these changes. From AI governance to shared services and predictive analytics, getting ahead of these 2026 higher education trends will define which institutions thrive.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Institution?

Avaap partners with colleges and universities to implement ERP modernization, analytics solutions, and AI-driven strategies that align with these emerging trends.

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As we approach 2026, state and local governments are facing increasing challenges and opportunities due to fiscal constraints, rapid technology adoption, and changing workforce needs. In this article, we share 2026 state and local government predictions from Avaap experts, highlighting three major trends that will shape public sector transformation and service delivery.

Avaap’s 2026 State & Local Government Predictions:

1. Fiscal Pressures Will Reshape Service Delivery 

Governments are facing budget cuts and rising costs, requiring them to reevaluate how they deliver services. Rather than expanding programs, agencies will focus on their core functions, optimize the resources they already have, and strive for greater efficiency through technology. We can anticipate an increased emphasis on cost containment strategies, shared services, and data-driven decision-making to ensure maximum impact despite limited funding. 

2. AI Will Require Smarter Governance 

Artificial intelligence will continue to expand in government, automating tasks and providing meaningful data and context for decision-making. However, this progress will demand smarter governance—not replace it. Governments must ensure human oversight for quality assurance and reliability, maintaining accountability as AI systems become more integrated. While AI can enhance efficiency and deliver predictive insights, human judgment will remain essential to guide ethical use and safeguard public trust. 

3. Workforce Adaptability Will Define Success 

Hybrid work models and rapid technological changes require a workforce that can adapt swiftly. Traditional one-time training is no longer sufficient; agencies must focus on continuous change management and ongoing digital skills development to keep up with the pace of change. Organizations that invest in consistent enablement and user adoption strategies are likely to achieve a higher return on investment from their technology initiatives. 

Why These Trends Matter

Our 2026 predictions highlight the importance of strategic technology implementation and effective change management. Avaap collaborates with state and local government organizations to modernize ERP systems, responsibly integrate AI, and develop resilient workforces prepared for the future. 

Ready to prepare for 2026?

Contact Avaap to learn how we can help your organization navigate fiscal pressures, leverage AI, and empower your workforce for success.

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