Dr. JP Novin sits down with Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan, President of Husson University, to discuss how career-focused institutions are evolving in the age of AI.

Dr. Coy-Ogan shares how Husson blends strong employer partnerships and experiential learning—with 93% of students completing internships—to drive a 96% career placement rate. The conversation explores how AI is being integrated as a tool for efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on the human element, ethical use, and real-world readiness. Together, they examine how institutions can balance innovation, affordability, and hands-on learning to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

Dr. JP Novin sits down with Dr. Bennie Harris, Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate, to discuss how higher education is evolving in the age of AI.

Dr. Harris shares how USC Upstate is aligning its mission with workforce outcomes, aiming for nearly all graduates to secure employment or enter professional school within months of graduation. The conversation explores AI as an “and” proposition—highlighting the importance of human-machine collaboration, ethical AI use, and the growing need for adaptable, career-ready skills. Together, they examine the future of entry-level jobs, institutional agility, and how universities can build more responsive, future-focused learning models.

Dr. JP Novin speaks with Dr. Donna Hodge, the 12th and first woman president of Fitchburg State University, about the evolving role of regional public universities in an AI-driven world.

Dr. Hodge reframes AI as a fundamental literacy shift and shares how Fitchburg State is embedding AI across disciplines, rethinking pedagogy, and preparing students for a rapidly changing workforce. The conversation also highlights the enduring value of the humanities, the importance of experiential learning, and how institutions can remain agile while expanding access and opportunity.

Dr. JP Novin speaks with Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald, President of Alvernia University, about the headwinds facing higher education, including the enrollment cliff and the rise of AI. They discuss Alvernia’s growth strategy, from supporting first-generation students and launching new programs to integrating AI literacy, experiential learning, and AI-powered admissions tools to prepare students for the evolving workforce.

Dr. JP Novin speaks with Dr. Eric Kaler, President of Case Western Reserve University, about higher education, human capital, and the accelerating impact of AI innovation. Dr. Kaler discusses Case Western Reserve’s continued focus on the traditional 18–22-year-old undergraduate experience and why the four-year model remains critical for student development. He also highlights the university’s growth as an R1 research institution, particularly in AI and data science. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the workforce, the importance of ensuring students are AI literate, and how advances in AI are driving changes in pedagogy and assessment across higher education.

Dr. JP Novin speaks with Dr. Joseph Chillo about the impact of AI on higher education and the future workforce. Dr. Chillo outlines Thomas More University’s strategy for embedding AI and technology across the curriculum, grounded in ethical responsibility and Catholic values. The conversation explores how the university is adapting traditional academic structures through stackable credentials and flexible pathways while reinforcing the long-term value and ROI of a liberal arts education. Dr. Chillo also discusses the evolving role of faculty, shifting from content delivery to guiding students in how to critically evaluate and effectively use information, including AI-generated content.

Dr. JP Novin speaks with Dr. Christina Clark, President of La Roche University, about the institution’s mission to prepare students as engaged global and U.S. citizens and its expanding international initiatives. The conversation explores the growing impact of AI on higher education and the workforce, with Dr. Clark outlining La Roche’s response to the “fourth industrial revolution” through a faculty-first approach, an AI Academy, and the integration of AI literacy and ethical use across the curriculum, including a required AI literacy certificate for graduating seniors. Together, Dr. Clark and Dr. Novin emphasize the importance of pairing technological skills with essential human skills such as critical thinking, communication, and judgment, while addressing the rapid acceleration of AI-driven workforce change, which Dr. Clark describes as a looming crisis that will require broader government action.

JP Novin welcomes Danielle Wilken, President of the University of Bridgeport, and Elena Cahill, Vice President of Strategic Planning, Innovation, and Advancement, for a conversation on AI in higher education. The discussion explores how the University of Bridgeport is integrating AI into its curriculum as an essential tool for the future workforce, highlighting initiatives such as AI and Robotics labs, co-located advanced manufacturing centers, and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Wilken and Cahill emphasize the importance of blending liberal arts skills with career-ready training, responding to rapid job displacement through microcredentialing, and maintaining a strong focus on industry partnerships and student entrepreneurship.

Dr. JP Novin talks with Dr. Jeffrey Docking about the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in business, research, and higher education. Dr. Docking shares how Adrian College integrates AI across the curriculum, including the creation of RISE Education to support shared courses and new academic pathways. The conversation focuses on higher education’s responsibility to prepare students for an AI-driven future by emphasizing uniquely human skills such as emotional intelligence, creativity, decision-making, and ethical reasoning, while also preparing learners for emerging roles in AI compliance and ethics. Dr. Docking also discusses the importance of curriculum redesign and explains how Adrian’s enrollment success is driven by pairing technical degrees with a strong co-curricular experience.

Dr. JP Novin talks with Brien Lewis, President of Transylvania University, about how artificial intelligence is shaping higher education and the future workforce. President Lewis explains how Transylvania adapts its curriculum to emphasize critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, while taking a balanced approach to AI by encouraging students to learn and use the tools in some contexts and restricting their use in others to ensure independent skill development. He highlights new initiatives such as a Data Analytics program and an accelerated three-year degree option, and frames the current moment as a shift into a “conceptual age,” where empathy and ethics become increasingly valuable. The conversation also explores Transylvania’s investment in digital liberal arts, its consideration of process-based grading, and its partnership with the University of Kentucky to support innovation and student success.