Exploring the Impact of Creativity and AI in Higher Education.
At EduMAX, we explored how equitable access to creative and AI tools empowers students to engage more deeply with learning, solve complex problems, and communicate their ideas with impact. The sessions highlighted how creativity and AI literacy are becoming essential skills for success in today’s evolving job market.
To learn more, explore the research and insights shared by our speaker Brian Johnsrud in Career Outcomes with Creativity and AI in Higher Education and on Improving Student Outcomes in Higher Education and on Adobe Creative Campuses.
EduMAX Video Gallery: Innovation in Action.
Charlie Miller's Adobe Higher Ed Product Key Note
Future U Podcast at EduMAX 2025
Creative Campus Panel at EduMAX 2025
EduMAX 2025: AI at your institution in 3 words?
EduMAX 2025: Keep in Mind
San José State University invests in campus-wide access to Adobe tools.
What our attendees loved most.
Meeting the people working on developing educational tools at Adobe. The Acrobat escape room was super fun, as was the swag. The vibe was communicative and friendly, and made for good connections.
The live podcast featured speakers I thoroughly enjoyed. The Adobe Express workshop was well-executed. The onboarding, community building, wayfinding, and swag were also outstanding.
The hands-on product demos. It was really good to be able to use the software and imagine how I might incorporate it into my classes.
The hands-on product demos. It was really good to be able to use the software and imagine how I might incorporate it into my classes.
Catch the best of EduMAX.
Explore the EduMAX 2025 agenda.
5–8pm PT
5-8 pm Attendees gathered at Adobe HQ for a fun evening of networking before the conference officially began.
(6:00–6:15 pm) Itinerary info 1
(6:15–6:30 pm) Itinerary info 2
(6:30–7:00 pm) Itinerary info 3
(7:00–8:00 pm) Itinerary info 4
8am–5pm PT
(6:00–6:15 pm) Itinerary info 1
(6:15–6:30 pm) Itinerary info 2
(6:30–7:00 pm) Itinerary info 3
(7:00–8:00 pm) Itinerary info 4
8:00 AM – Breakfast and Check-in
9:00 AM – Adobe Higher Ed Product Keynote
Charlie Miller (Adobe) and the Adobe Education team shared how Adobe is prioritizing education across its product ecosystem. Guests got an exclusive first look at upcoming features and learned how educator and student feedback continues to shape Adobe’s roadmap.
10:00 AM – Future U Podcast (Live Recording)
Jeff Selingo (Author) and Michael Horn (Author) recorded a live episode of their Future U podcast with academic and industry leaders, exploring practical ways to harness AI in higher education.
11:00 AM – Creative Campus Panel
Mohamed Elrefai (Adobe) moderated a conversation with Leslie Kennedy (CSU), Magdalena Barrera (SJSU), Alegra Lozano (UTSA), and Melissa Vito (UTSA). Panelists shared insights from Adobe’s Creative Campus program, highlighting new research, student outcomes, and strategies for integrating Adobe tools across disciplines.
1:00 PM – Afternoon Breakouts
Participants joined three immersive sessions designed to connect innovation with impact:
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Adobe Express Workshop: Shauna Chung (Adobe) and Manuela Franceschini (Adobe) led a hands-on session demonstrating how to integrate generative AI into teaching with Adobe Express.
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Creative Campus Data Deep Dive: Brian Johnsrud (Adobe) presented new findings showing how Adobe tools enhance student engagement and academic success.
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Deloitte AI Lab: Attendees explored the future of academic administration and teaching through interactive demos on generative and agentic AI systems.
4pm - Day 1 Closing Thoughts and Wrap-up
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8–1:30pm PT
(6:00–6:15 pm) Itinerary info 1
(6:15–6:30 pm) Itinerary info 2
(6:30–7:00 pm) Itinerary info 3
(7:00–8:00 pm) Itinerary info 4
8:00 AM – Breakfast and Check-in
9:00 AM – AI, Creativity & Productivity
Sheneese Thompson (Howard) and Justin Hodgson (IU) shared how AI has driven a new era of teaching and learning at their institutions.
9:45 AM – Morning Breakouts
Participants rotated through three sessions:
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Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant Studio – Demonstrated how Adobe tools helped institutions turn ideas into action.
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Lightcast Data Insights (U.S.) – Presented new research connecting access to AI tools with improved student outcomes.
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Adobe Innovator Campus Spotlight – Featured Rebeca Navarrete (SDSU) and Stephen Schellenberg (SDSU), highlighting how Adobe’s first class of Innovators advanced the Creative Campus Program into the AI era.
12pm - Closing Remarks, Followed by Lunch
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Meet the speakers.
Attendees heard from leading creatives in design, illustration, video, social media, and more — each sharing insights that inspired new ideas and perspectives.
Recommended hotels for EduMAX attendees.
Adobe provided complimentary hotel accommodations for all confirmed EduMAX attendees as part of the reserved room block.
Hotel De Anza
Address: 233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-286-1000
Hayes Mansion San Jose
Address: 200 Edenvale Ave, San Jose, CA 95136
Phone: 408-226-3200
AC Hotel San Jose Downtown
Address: 350 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-924-0900
Learn about past EduMAX events.
Empowering the AI Generation:
Building Career Pathways with Digital Storytelling
October 8-9, 2024
San Jose, CA
EduMAX 2024 was an in-person, two-day event that brought higher education leaders together to discuss and learn about innovative technology solutions designed to address institutional challenges, increase learning engagement, and improve student outcomes. Centered around the theme Empowering the AI Generation: Building Career Pathways with Digital Storytelling, the keynotes, fireside chats, and panels focused on how higher education leaders could empower the next generation of the workforce through generative AI and other emerging technologies. Attendees gained insights into the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and the evolving workforce — as well as the role institutions played in equipping students with the career‑ready skills needed for long‑term success.
Next-Generation Innovators: Student Success in the Age of Generative AI
October 24–25, 2023
San Jose, CA
EduMAX 2023 was live, on-the-ground, and held in Adobe’s brand-new Founders Tower — a space that represented the future of work. It was a truly special EduMAX to remember. Generative AI is transformative technology. It can be used to create content, from art and music to solutions for complex problems. As we transitioned into the AI-augmented age, education systems needed to adapt to prepare students for success in this new landscape. EduMAX provided unique insights into how institutional peers were effectively improving faculty development, authentic assessment, and student success in a world shaped by AI.
Next-Generation Innovators: Student Success in the Age of Generative AI
October 18-20, 2022
San Jose, CA
EduMAX 2022 brought global higher education leaders together to explore the future of digital literacy and creative learning. Held alongside the Adobe MAX Creativity Conference, this two-day in-person gathering marked the first in-person EduMAX since 2019. The event spotlighted innovative institutions reshaping teaching and learning through digital tools—centered on creativity, access, and career readiness. From student storytelling that drives change, to system-wide transformations like the CSU’s Creative Cloud rollout, attendees saw firsthand how digital literacy is powering more engaging, equitable, and future-facing education across disciplines.
Next-Generation Innovators: Student Success in the Age of Generative AI
October 26-28, 2021
San Jose, CA
EduMAX 2021 united over 100 higher‑ed leaders online to tackle digital literacy in a post‑pandemic world. Across keynotes, panels, and workshops, academic decision‑makers explored how creative tools and continuous learning drive engagement, close skills gaps, and promote equity—equipping faculty and students with the digital fluency needed to thrive in hybrid and online environments.