TRANSFORMED

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In this episode of TRANSFORMED, Dr. Bao Johri, Chief Information Officer at Fresno State University, joins our host and delves into the university’s strategic approach to digital transformation (DX), emphasizing the power of intentionality.
 
Dr. Johri shares how Fresno State's DX strategy aligns culture, people, process, data, and technology to foster a community-driven, collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and adaptation. Highlighting real-world programs like the Automated University Initiative and AI-focused initiatives, she underscores how intentional partnerships and student-staff collaboration lead to sustainable change. The discussion offers key insights for higher ed leaders on how to empower faculty, support students, and build resilient, inclusive institutions prepared for rapid technological evolution.

References: 

Dr. Bao Johri

Fresno State University

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Dr. Jeff Thompson, Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Nevada, Reno, discusses the evolving role of land grant institutions in the 21st century with our host, Joe Gottlieb, President and Chief Technology Officer of Higher Digital. 

Dr. Thompson shares his passion for "Land Grant 2.0," a vision for how these historic universities can adapt to modern technology while continuing to uplift rural communities. With enthusiasm, he describes the exciting changes in mining technology and the challenges of preparing students for a rapidly shifting workforce. He also highlights the importance of digital equity, sharing the success of the Digital Wolf Pack initiative, which ensures every student has the tools they need to thrive. This engaging conversation offers a thoughtful look at how institutions can embrace technology to sustain their mission and create meaningful opportunities for all in an AI-driven future. 

References:

Jeff Thompson

University of Nevada, Reno

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Unlock the secrets to a family-like academic environment where support is not just an option but a guarantee. Join us as Provost Dr. Rondall Allen of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore takes us on a journey through the institution’s innovative approach to higher education. As an 1890 land grant institution, UMES is dedicated to creating a nurturing atmosphere deeply rooted in the cultural significance of HBCUs. Dr. Allen shares compelling stories about initiatives that address student needs, from concierge services to supporting homeless students during holidays, all designed to ensure every learner feels heard and valued. Hear firsthand how HBCU faculty have uniquely influenced Dr. Allen’s life, and be inspired by remarkable student success stories, including those who have achieved prestigious fellowships.

Explore the transformative strategies UMES employs to expand educational opportunities for diverse learners. With a strategic focus on accessibility and affordability, the university has developed a “one-stop shop” for non-traditional students, offering flexible online STEM programs. Discover the exciting partnerships with institutions like the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine aimed at cultivating African-American physicians. Learn how UMES is tackling the pilot shortage by engaging high school students, particularly women and minorities, with aviation pathways and a new aviation maintenance technician certificate. This episode highlights UMES’s unwavering commitment to fostering seamless transitions and comprehensive support, positioning itself as a leader in addressing regional and professional demands.

Dr. Rondall Allen

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

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Dr. Joe Whitehead, Senior Advisor to the President for Regional Science Initiatives and former Provost at Bowling Green University joins host, Joe Gottlieb, to discuss the importance of project timing in higher ed, contrasting examples of rushed versus well-planned projects and their impacts on higher education outcomes. 

Listen in to learn from Dr. Whitehead's experience about the major positive impacts of proper planning, a holistic approach to problem-solving, and balancing innovation with data security.

References: 

Dr. Joseph Whitehead

Bowling Green State University

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Host Joe Gottlieb sits down with Glendalí Rodriguez, Provost at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, to explore the dynamic process of comprehensive academic planning. Rodriguez shares how her team developed a forward-looking roadmap to guide the institution over the next five years, balancing academic goals with operational realities. Listeners will learn about the importance of data-driven decision-making, collaborative leadership, and aligning strategic goals with actionable initiatives. With practical insights on managing change, fostering industry partnerships, and evolving academic programs, this episode offers valuable takeaways for anyone working to adapt their institution to a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Tune in for a conversation that emphasizes both the challenges and triumphs of higher ed transformation, and be inspired by Rodriguez's inclusive approach to building a more resilient future for students and faculty alike.

References:
Glendalí Rodriguez

University of Wisconsin - Stout

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.

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Join our guest, Christina Baum, CIO and VP of Digital Transformation at Utah Valley University as she details her perspective on the IT role in relation to sustainable strategic change. Across each institution, IT is uniquely positioned to serve as a catalyst because goals that translate to action have a vital IT component, and the craft and talent of IT has evolved to support those goals with a structured approach. 

References: 

Christina Baum

Utah Valley 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.

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Our guest, Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, former Provost for Commonwealth University, goes into depth with our host, Joe Gottlieb, on the incredible journey she led  to integrate programs across three newly merged institutions. Drivers for the integration were to better serve student populations in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way. 

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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Joe Gottlieb, President and CTO of Higher Digital, talks with Jim Brigadier, CEO of Ready Education about How Engagement Transforms Student Success. Jim discusses the importance of mobile engagement in student success (backed by data), the challenges institutions face today, and innovative strategies to enhance student retention. Tune in to discover how your institution can benefit from the expertise of Higher Digital partner, Ready Education, and their student engagement platform. 

References:  

Jim Brigadier 

CEO, Ready Education 

Sage Journals: A study mentioned as providing evidence on the importance of learner engagement in online education.  

Education Data Initiative and Inside HigherEd: Published statistics showing that 35% of students do not feel a sense of belonging at their school. 

Tyton Partners:  

• Driving Toward a Degree study, which found that over 35% of student survey respondents were unaware of available critical support services. 
• Listening to Learners 2023 report, which addresses ways institutions and their members can bolster belonging among learners to increase persistence and retention, contributing to overall student success. 

National Center for Education Statistics: Provided data showing that in the 2022-2023 academic year, 53 percent of US college students were taking at least one class online. 

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. Michael Lacourse, Provost at Utah Tech University, joins Joe Gottlieb to walk through a series of strategic planning cycles and the meaningful impact the entire institution realized as the strategy evolved over time. Learn from Dr. Lacourse about the planning process and its outputs as well as the impressive results for Utah Tech, its students, staff and faculty, and the community.

References: 

Dr. Michael Lacourse

Provost, Utah Tech 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!

Fred Rocha, former CIO at Coast Community College District and current senior consultant at Higher Digital, joins Joe Gottlieb to discuss how evolving business reporting can lead to better data governance in higher education. They explore common challenges institutions face, like siloed data and manual reporting processes, and offer insights on how to improve data management practices, especially vital in the era of SaaS solutions. They highlight both technical approaches and human factors in achieving effective data governance, emphasizing that it's a responsibility shared by all staff, not just IT departments. 

References: 

Fred Rocha, Senior Consultant, Higher Digital 

Coast Community
College District 

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