Leading AI Innovation in Higher Education with Heather Pelkie – Part 1

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

Leading AI Innovation in Higher Education with Heather Pelkie – Part 1

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education and the workforce our students are entering. The question for institutions is no longer whether to engage with AI—but whether they will do so intentionally. In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith talk with Heather Pelkie, who leads AI initiatives at West Coast University and serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication. Heather shares how her work sits at the intersection of AI innovation, learning design, and organizational strategy. She discusses how institutions can move beyond reactive experimentation toward thoughtful implementation that prepares students to work alongside AI systems. The conversation explores the rapid pace of technological change, the importance of keeping humans at the center of AI use, and new ways educators can design experiential learning using AI-powered simulations and interactive tools. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation exploring how higher education can lead the AI transformation rather than lag behind it. Key Topics Discussed * The intersection of AI, higher education, and workforce readiness * Why higher education is at an inflection point with AI * Moving from reactive AI experimentation to intentional strategy * The accelerating pace of AI change and how leaders stay informed * Keeping the human in the loop when using AI tools * Using the “How Might We” innovation question to unlock new possibilities * Designing experiential learning with AI simulations and agents * Preparing graduates for an AI-integrated workforce 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

Leadership, Antisemitism, and the Responsibility of Higher Education (Part 3 with Kate Zatz)

In this final installment of their conversation with Dr. Kate Zatz, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith explore one of the most difficult and urgent topics facing higher education today: antisemitism on college campuses and the responsibility of institutional leaders to respond with integrity and wisdom. Kate begins by sharing personal background about her family, her children’s Jewish upbringing, and the way these issues became very real through her son’s experiences as a student. She recounts troubling incidents of antisemitism at the University of Vermont and reflects on the role that advocacy organizations, student organizing, and federal Title VI complaints have played in pushing institutions to respond. The conversation then moves into a larger leadership discussion. Kate argues that many higher education leaders are not adequately prepared for the complexity of the institutions they are asked to lead. She raises important questions about leadership pipelines, institutional memory, and the loss of knowledge continuity in higher education. Vernon and Michael invite Kate to reflect on what gives her hope in the face of these challenges. Her answer points not to grand systems alone, but to the everyday work of raising thoughtful children, mentoring emerging leaders, continuing to learn, and choosing to keep going even after setbacks. The episode closes with a fitting reflection on Kate’s legacy: not only the thousands of students whose diplomas bear her signature, but the many leaders she has encouraged, mentored, and helped prepare for the work ahead. This final conversation is both sobering and hopeful—a reminder that higher education leadership requires courage, memory, compassion, and a deep commitment to people. Key Topics Covered * Kate Zatz’s family story and Jewish identity * Antisemitism on college campuses * Student advocacy and Title VI complaints * The role of the Brandeis Center and Jewish on Campus * Leadership responsibility in moments of crisis * Why institutional policies and practices matter * Knowledge continuity and institutional memory in higher education * Concerns about leadership preparation and presidential pipelines * The importance of history, learning, and moral awareness * Mentorship, hope, and legacy in a life of service Key Resources for this Episode Brandeis Center - https://brandeiscenter.com [https://brandeiscenter.com/] Jewish on Campus - https://www.jewishoncampus.org [https://www.jewishoncampus.org/] 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