The 2023 Educause Annual Conference in Chicago held in October, reinvigorated Hannah Kindree’s passion for IT. A graduate student at Michigan State University and MSU IT Department of Educational Technology student employee, Kindree attended the conference last fall as part of the Egoz Pipeline Scholars Program, which covered expenses in addition to providing a mentor.
Kindree, currently pursuing a master’s degree in cybercrime and digital investigations, shared her unique journey and experiences at Educause, shedding light on her growth, insights gained, and impact on her role at MSU IT and within her department.
“It refreshed my passion for this work,” she said.
Kindree said attending Educause influenced her professional growth significantly. She said it built within her confidence in discussing accessibility topics, a crucial skill as she leads sessions for faculty and staff. The networking opportunities at Educause were invaluable, she said. They introduced her to various professionals and led to collaborations beyond accessibility-focused discussions.
One of the major takeaways for Kindree was the surprising diversity within the IT community.
“I’ve seen IT as an older generation because that’s what it’s portrayed,” she said. “But going to Educause was a lot more diverse than I thought it would be.”
Kindree acknowledged the enormity of Educause, emphasizing her initial challenges in finding her way through the vast McCormick Place venue. She highlighted the support she received from Educause staff, who organized pre-conference tours and ensured scholars were well-prepared. Kindree also praised the diversity at Educause, noting the refreshing commitment to addressing tough topics like accessibility, diversity, and AI.
She expressed joy in seeing people’s readiness to tackle complex issues and actively work towards positive changes. Additionally, the fact that all keynote speakers were women stood out, challenging stereotypes associated with IT conferences.
Kindree’s involvement with MSU IT began unexpectedly during the initial pandemic-related layoffs.
After being laid off from her job at the Kellogg Center, Kindree seized an opportunity to work as a student captioner for MSU IT. Little did she know that this role would evolve, leading her to become the lead accessibility assistant. Her journey with MSU IT has spanned almost four years, reflecting her dedication to the field.
“IT’s student employees are an invaluable part of our team. They provide critical insights into the needs of our students, while also assisting in important aspects of our work. Many former student employees have gone on to full-time positions,” states Educational Technology Assistant Director, Nick Noel.
Looking back on her Educause experience, Kindree expressed her desire to attend again. She acknowledged the challenges of a conference with thousands of attendees and suggested improvements like dedicated quiet spaces for attendees to recharge. She hopes Educause continues its scholarship program, emphasizing its life-changing impact on her.
Kindree’s journey from a laid-off freshman to a lead accessibility assistant, combined with her transformative experience at Educause, paints a vivid picture of dedication, growth, and the positive impact of professional conferences on individuals in IT and accessibility.
Hannah Kindree (center) with Educause Colleagues
