Engaged By Design

Three-Year Degrees, AI, and the Future of Higher Education (Part 2)

In part two of our conversation with President Bruce Kusch of Ensign College, we explore Ensign College’s groundbreaking move to three-year bachelor’s degrees and what that means for the future of higher education. President Kusch discusses accreditation challenges, workforce alignment, vocational education, AI disruption, and why colleges must rethink how they prepare students for meaningful careers. We also discuss leadership longevity, institutional alignment, and how mission clarity enables innovation. This episode is especially relevant for higher education leaders navigating rapid technological and workforce change. Key Topics * The development of three-year bachelor’s degrees * Accreditation and innovation challenges * Workforce alignment and career readiness * AI and the future of employment * Vocational education and skilled trades * Scaling online education globally * Leadership, timing, and institutional change * The difference between being a student and being a learner Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com [http://www.engagedbydesign.com] to learn more about * The Course Design Accelerator  * Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

Capable and Trusted: The Ensign College Transformation Story (Part 1)

In part one of our conversation with President Bruce Kusch of Ensign College, we explore the remarkable transformation of the institution formerly known as LDS Business College into a global, applied-learning institution serving students in more than 100 countries. President Kusch shares the story behind the Ensign College mission statement, the institution’s close partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide, and the leadership principles that guided rapid innovation and growth. We also discuss practitioner faculty, workforce alignment, student employability, and the importance of building “capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ.” This episode offers valuable insights for higher education leaders, instructional designers, and anyone interested in mission-driven institutional change.   Key Topics * Student-run learning environments and Studio E * Applied learning and workforce preparation * The evolution from LDS Business College to Ensign College * The influence of prophetic vision and institutional mission * Building strong partnerships with industry * Practitioner faculty and real-world curriculum * Hiring for mission fit and organizational alignment * Lessons learned from institutional transformation Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com [http://www.engagedbydesign.com] to learn more about * The Course Design Accelerator  * Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

Human Connection at Scale: The Future of Learning with Kelvin Thompson - Part 2

From gatekeeping to door-opening—and how to truly engage learners. In part two, Kelvin Thompson shifts the conversation from strategy to practice—exploring what it really takes to engage learners in today’s complex educational landscape. From rethinking faculty roles as “door openers” to scaling impact across institutions, Kelvin highlights the power of human connection as the foundation of effective teaching. We also unpack lessons from 200+ podcast episodes, the lasting effects of pandemic learning, and why humanizing education is both a moral imperative and a competitive advantage. Key Takeaways: * Why faculty should move from gatekeepers to facilitators of access * The importance of students feeling “seen” in the learning experience * How to scale teaching and learning support beyond the “usual suspects” * Why technology works best as an amplifier of human connection Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com [http://www.engagedbydesign.com] to learn more about * The Course Design Accelerator  * Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

From Access to Impact: Rethinking Teaching in a Digital Age with Kelvin Thompson – Part 1

In part one of our conversation with Kelvin Thompson, we explore the deeper purpose behind online learning and digital innovation in higher education. Kelvin shares his journey from K–12 to national leadership in online learning, along with powerful insights on why teaching should be viewed as a core student success intervention. We also dive into how online learning makes teaching more visible—and therefore more improvable—and what that means for faculty, institutions, and the future of learning. Along the way, we tackle the growing influence of generative AI and why human connection still sits at the center of meaningful education. Key Takeaways: * Why teaching is one of the most powerful levers for student success * How online learning reveals what’s really happening in course design * The evolving role of AI as a “thought partner” in education * Why human engagement matters more—not less—in a digital world Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com [http://www.engagedbydesign.com] to learn more about * The Course Design Accelerator  * Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

AI Governance and the Future of Learning with Heather Pelkie – Part 2

As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in higher education, institutions are facing new questions about governance, academic integrity, and strategic implementation. In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith continue their conversation with Heather Pelkie, who leads AI initiatives at West Coast University and serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication. Heather explains how her institution is building an AI walled garden to create a safe, governed space for experimentation, innovation, and productivity gains. She also shares why governance, policy, human oversight, and intentional design are essential if colleges and universities want to use AI responsibly. The conversation explores the future of AI in teaching and learning, the limits of AI detection tools, the importance of AI fluency, and what it really means to keep humans at the center of educational innovation. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation on AI, learning design, and the future of higher education. Key Topics Discussed * Academic integrity in an AI-driven world * Why institutions need an AI governance structure * The purpose of an AI walled garden * Human-in-the-loop design for higher-risk AI workflows * Managing permissions, risk, and responsible experimentation * Why AI detection tools are still unreliable * Reframing assessment design for an AI-rich future * AI as part of the future architecture of education * How to engage learners more effectively in times of rapid change Heather Pelkie -  https://heatherpelkie.com [https://heatherpelkie.com]   West Coast University - https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu [https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu/] Engaged By Design - https://www.engagedbydesign.com [https://www.engagedbydesign.com/] Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com [http://www.engagedbydesign.com] to learn more about * The Course Design Accelerator  * Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education