TRANSFORMED

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In this episode of TRANSFORMED, Joe Gottlieb talks with Alin Vrancila, CEO of Jessup Global and former provost at Multnomah University, about how a challenging institutional merger catalyzed innovation in online learning and pedagogy.

Alin shares how Multnomah’s financial and enrollment struggles led to a merger with Jessup University—but rather than a mere transition, the partnership sparked bold change. Together, they launched JSA+AI, the first fully AI-enabled learning management system in U.S. higher ed, and introduced Neogogy, a new student-centered educational framework designed for the AI age.

This episode explores how AI is redefining faculty roles, reducing administrative burden, and making online learning more interactive, efficient, and human.

What You’ll Take Away:

1. Mergers can be more than survival tactics—with vision and alignment, they can become platforms for transformation.
2. AI doesn’t replace educators—it repositions them to focus more on mentorship, expertise, and student impact.
3. A strong innovation model includes a sandbox—Jessup Global operates as a branch campus to test, refine, and scale new approaches before full rollout.

References: 

Dr. Alin Vrancila

Jessup University

Find out more about Neogogy here:

 www.neogogy.ai   

 https://neogogy.ai/whitepapers  

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Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

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In this episode of TRANSFORMED, Joe Gottlieb sits down with Dr. Shawn Powell, President of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, to explore how his institution thrives as a rural yet resourceful community college. Dr. Powell shares how ENMU-Roswell leverages its unique location on a former Air Force base to connect students with aviation maintenance careers, partners with local industries in healthcare and agriculture, and tackles technology access gaps to support student success.

Listeners will gain insights into workforce-aligned education, strategies for bridging digital divides, and the power of community engagement in shaping higher education’s role in regional economic development. Tune in to hear inspiring stories of transformation and impact!

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

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In this episode, host Joe Gottlieb speaks with Dr. Karlyn Crowley, Provost at Ohio Wesleyan University, about "Adaptive Leadership: How to Win Trust and Accomplish Change." Dr. Crowley, the first woman provost in Ohio Wesleyan's 182-year history, shares how she has successfully led major institutional changes during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Crowley reveals her journey from passionate horseback rider to academic leader, explaining how her early discipline and boldness shaped her leadership philosophy. She discusses implementing five significant change initiatives in five years, including program prioritization, curriculum revision, and faculty handbook overhaul. Throughout the conversation, she shares practical "leadership cheat codes" from Ron Heifetz's adaptive leadership model, emphasizing the importance of correctly identifying problems, regulating distress, getting perspective, and giving work back to those affected.

With candor and authenticity, Dr. Crowley discusses the challenges of leading through resistance, the loneliness of leadership, and the importance of maintaining joy in administrative work. The conversation concludes with her optimistic outlook for Ohio Wesleyan's future, highlighting their impressive student retention improvements and innovative equity initiatives.

References: 

Dr. Karlyn Crowley

Ohio Wesleyan University

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

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David Weil, Vice President of Information Technology and Analytics at Ithaca College, joins the TRANSFORMED podcast to discuss the role of quiet leadership in navigating digital transformation 2.0, in an era increasingly shaped by AI.

In this conversation with host Joe Gottlieb, President and CTO of Higher Digital, Weil shares insights on:

• How quiet leadership fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation in institutional change
• The evolving role of AI, including Agentic AI, in accelerating digital transformation and reshaping institutional processes
• Practical strategies for leading digital change, including pilots, proof-of-concepts, and intentional leadership

Weil provides real-world examples from Ithaca College, including AI-driven student support initiatives and the successful integration of analytics with IT. His approach offers higher education leaders a thoughtful perspective on advancing transformation while keeping people at the center.

References: 

David Weil

Ithaca College

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2024/2/digital-transformation-20-the-age-of-ai

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

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Fairmont State University President, Dr. Michael Davis, shares his journey as a first-time president, offering insights on building 'cultural change before structural change' and embracing Fairmont’s unique 'Artisan University' identity. Discover how patience and relationships drive meaningful progress as our host, Joe Gottlieb, engages with Dr. Davis to explore best practices and the value of patience. 

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

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Dr. Vin Del Casino, Provost at San José State University, joins our host, Joe Gottlieb, Higher Digital President and Chief Technology Officer, for a dynamic conversation on Creating Student Success in a Digital Now.

Dr. Del Casino shares his vision for building a student-ready campus, ensuring institutions take responsibility for student success rather than placing the burden on learners. He explores how San Jose State, the original Silicon Valley start-up, is tackling digital transformation, integrating AI into education, and leveraging partnerships—like their collaboration with Adobe—to enhance student engagement and workforce readiness.

Learn how to shift your institution from a deficit mindset to a new accountability model, why connection and community are vital to student success, and much more. 

References: 

Dr. Vincent Del Casino

San José State University

Becoming A Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership For Student Success

Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at [email protected] at any time! 

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text!

In this episode, Jon Allen, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Baylor University joins host Joe Gottlieb, President and CTO of Higher Digital. Together, they dive into Baylor's journey to becoming a national R1 research institution, a transformation that has bolstered both academic and athletic competitiveness while maintaining its faith-based mission. Listen in for:

• The strategic and practical steps Baylor undertook to achieve R1 status three years ahead of schedule.
• How technology, people, and processes intersected to drive meaningful change.
• Lessons learned from navigating challenges like ERP transformations and adapting to the demands of a cloud-based, post-pandemic world.

Jon's expertise, drawn from his leadership role and tenure at Baylor, underscores the importance of trust, vision, and candid communication in transformative initiatives. This conversation is a must-listen for higher ed leaders seeking inspiration and actionable strategies for their own digital transformation journeys.

References: 

Jon Allen

Baylor University

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text!

In this episode of TRANSFORMED, Joe Gottlieb sits down with Steve Munson, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at American University. Steve shares insights from his ambitious journey leading simultaneous major system transformations, including the implementation of Workday for ERP and Salesforce Education Cloud for admissions CRM.

Listeners will learn how American University's "Challenge Accepted" ethos empowers their culture, the strategies they employed to manage risk, and the importance of aligning leadership and supplemental staffing to maximize organizational capacity for change. Gain practical takeaways on achieving digital transformation success, selecting the right technology partners, and cultivating a culture capable of embracing change.

Discover how clear priorities, strong leadership, and a relentless focus on success have propelled American University forward in this transformative era.

References: 

Steve Munson

American University

Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at [email protected] at any time! 

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text!

Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, President of the Catholic University of America, discusses the development of their groundbreaking ethical AI degree program, launching in Fall 2025. Dr. Kilpatrick shares his journey from professor to university president and explores the motivations behind this innovative program. Listeners will learn how the degree combines technical expertise in AI with philosophy and ethics, aligning with Catholic University’s mission to foster truth and integrity in higher education. The conversation highlights the societal implications of AI, the program's role in preparing students for ethical application across disciplines, and its unique positioning within the broader landscape of higher education.

References: 

Dr. Peter Kilpatrick

The Catholic University of America

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc 

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text!

Miroslav Humer, Vice President and CIO at Case Western University joins host, Joe Gottlieb, President and CTO at Higher Digital, to explore how Case Western is leveraging objective prioritization to advance its research agenda, delving into the critical role of relationships, trust, and structured processes. Listeners will gain insights into fostering collaboration, balancing IT resources, and driving innovation through technology, including the impactful use of AI and the revolutionary early adoption of HoloLens devices in education and research.

References: 

Miroslav Humer

Case Western University

Subscribe or follow TRANSFORMED wherever you listen, to get the latest episode when it drops and hear directly from leaders and innovators in higher ed tech and digital transformation best practices.

Find and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-digital-inc