The 2025 UC Tech Annual Conference, held June 25–27, 2025, brought together staff and faculty technologists from across the University of California system for three days of learning, collaboration and connection. Hosted by UC Riverside, the gathering continued a 43-year tradition of celebrating technology’s transformative role in higher education.

Continuing a UC legacy

The UC Tech Annual Conference has grown remarkably since its grassroots beginnings in 1982, when just 21 people gathered at UC Santa Cruz to share ideas about academic software. Today, it’s a systemwide event that attracts hundreds of professionals each year. The conference gives UC’s tech community the opportunity to connect in person and exchange updates in ways unique to the UC system. Many consider it an important source of learning and inspiration for the next generation of innovations in their work.

See images of the conference through this reel.

What happened at UC Tech in 2025?

Day 1: A Riverside Welcome – The “Scotty Highlander”

The conference opened with a Welcome Reception at UC Riverside’s Barn/Stable, where attendees picked up their name badges, connected with colleagues and enjoyed appetizers and cocktails to kick off the week. Those visiting for the first time saw the beautiful surrounding mountains and imagined where the mascot, “Scotty Higherlander” was derived.

Day 2: Keynotes, Breakouts and Awards

Day 2 at the Riverside Convention Center began with breakfast and the Opening Keynote, setting the tone for a day filled with inspiration and exploration. Matthew Gunkel, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at UC Riverside, engaged in a fascinating conversation with Rodolfo Torres, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at UC Riverside. The audience learned of the pivotal role of tech in the local economy, and each speaker provided thought-providing definitions of “tech.” Matt Gunkel spoke of the pace of change, and Rodolfo H. Torres alluded tech as being part of “whole thinking,” encouraging the audience to consider the broadest context where tech provides a force for economic mobility. During the talk, the audience considered the vision of a “fully tech-enabled community” with students as change-makers, and faculty/staff being provided with the tools and technologies needed to support their work.

During the opening keynote, “Navigating the Student Experience in the AI Era” with Carol Walport, Senior Product Manager at Google, the audience learned of the latest developments – both opportunities and challenges – associated with AI in higher education.

Attendees participated in:

Breakout Sessions spanning seven program tracks, covering everything from generative AI to classroom technologies, project management and communications.
The Vendor Showcase, featuring the latest in higher ed technology solutions.
Birds of a Feather lunch discussions, where colleagues gathered in small groups to exchange ideas and strategies.

The evening culminated in the UC Tech Awards Dinner, a highlight of the conference that recognized excellence across the UC system. The dinner buffet, live Bagpipe music and award presentations made for a memorable celebration of the people driving innovation within UC. Further, we came to know the UC Riverside campus and culture in a way that will keep our community bonded in new ways in years to come.

Day 3: Looking Ahead

The final day continued with a Closing Keynote: “What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Behind-the-Scenes of AI Safety in Chatbots and Multimodal Language Models.” Yue Dong (yuedong.us) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, Riverside. She alerted the audience to ways in which AI can be used subversively, and stimulated a vibrant dialogue on the topic of security and privacy.

The morning continued with more breakout sessions and a vendor raffle before closing with the Keynote and “Pass the Buck” Ceremony, where attendees discovered which UC campus will host UC Tech 2026 – UC Merced! The conference wrapped with a to-go lunch and vendor raffle, sending participants home with both new knowledge and new connections.

Positive energy generated by the speakers, organizers with a picture of conference mug.

Innovate. Integrate. Inspire.

The conference theme, “Innovate. Integrate. Inspire: Transforming Higher Ed Through Technology,” underscored the UC community’s shared commitment to shaping the future of higher education. Sessions and discussions focused on building trust, enhancing student success, improving efficiency and ensuring that technology strengthens values of belonging. The theme captured the spirit of UC Tech 2025: using innovation as a catalyst for positive, lasting change.

Building the Future Together

UC Tech 2025 once again demonstrated the power of community. By bringing together professionals from every corner of the UC system, the event provided not only a space to share technology solutions but also to strengthen the relationships that make lasting innovation possible.

As we look ahead to UC Tech 2026, UC Riverside gathering will be remembered as a milestone in the ongoing story of collaboration, creativity and commitment that defines the UC Tech community.

Thank You

UC Tech 2025 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and UC Riverside organizers.

Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors
Google Cloud/Carahsoft, Cisco/ePlus
Gold Sponsors
AWS, Huron
Silver Sponsor
Island
Bronze Sponsors
Datadog, Softdocs, Fortinet, World Wide Technology, Microsoft, Intel + Lenovo, Converge, Presidio, Box, Apporto, CDW, Proofpoint, SailPoint, Tanium, Cirrus Identity, SHI + Juniper, Rubrik, Tugboat, Kuali
Supporter
Trellix