Jena Zangs
Biography
Jena Zangs is the first Chief AI Officer in higher education across Minnesota, leading enterprise AI strategy, data infrastructure, and applied innovation at the University of St. Thomas. She is known for grounding AI in institutional priorities grounded in trust, governance, and real-world outcomes rather than hype.
Jena’s leadership has been recognized with an AWS Education Champion Award, a Top 50 Data & Analytics Team honor, and as a Top Leadership to Watch in 2026 by EdTech Magazine. She is also a Lovable Global Buildathon Winner, bringing a builder’s mindset to advancing human-centered AI in education.
Through her work, Jena is helping shape what it means to be an AI-ready institution, empowering leaders, faculty, and students to design and use AI in ways that support people, strengthen learning, and advance the common good.
EDUCAUSE Presentations
Membership with EDUCAUSE
| Status: | Yes, current member |