The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

Live at The AI Show: Designing the Future of Education with Empathy and AI


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In this energizing live episode, Dustin chats with Brian LeDuc—consultant, design strategist, and founder of Learning, Designed—about what it really takes to make higher ed more human-centered in an AI-drenched era. From the UC San Diego Design Lab to his own EDUxDesign Fellowship, Brian shares tangible ways schools can move beyond best practices and toward meaningful, student-first innovation.

Spoiler: It’s not about jumping on every AI tool. It’s about understanding the real problems you're solving—and who you're solving them for.

Guest Name: Brian LeDuc, Principal, Design Strategist + Education Consultant at Learning, Designed

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Brian LeDuc is a design strategist and Principal Consultant of Learning, Designed, a consulting practice helping colleges, universities, and workforce organizations build learner-centered programs that align with the future of work. With over a decade of experience across higher ed and Fortune 500 companies, he specializes in human-centered design and community-driven change. Brian has led projects with institutions nationwide—from improving student retention and academic advising to launching innovative academic models—and currently serves as a Designer-in-Residence at UC San Diego’s Design Lab. His work has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and Higher Ed Dive. He shares stories, tips, and work in progress weekly on his Substack, Learning, Designed.


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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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The Higher Ed Geek PodcastBy Dustin Ramsdell

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