TRANSFORMED

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text!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 JohriFresno State UniversitySubscribe 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. 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 ThompsonUniversity of Nevada, RenoSubscribe 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!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 AllenUniversity of Maryland Eastern ShoreSubscribe 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. 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 WhiteheadBowling Green State UniversitySubscribe 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!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 RodriguezUniversity of Wisconsin - StoutSubscribe 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!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 BaumUtah Valley UniversitySubscribe 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!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

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text!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 LacourseProvost, Utah Tech University Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 CommunityCollege District  Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, we break the mold and welcome two esteemed guests from Butler University: Dr. Brooke Barnett, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Melissa Beckwith, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.The discussion revolves around the concept of Dual Transformation and how Butler University is using that concept to not only maximize resilience today but also build the institution’s growth engine for tomorrow. Our guests delve into the creation of Butler Ventures, a multi-faceted initiative aimed at driving innovation and change at Butler. The conversation includes key challenges faced during this transformative journey, including the need for system upgrades and effective change management. They even touch on surprise challenges, including having too many good ideas to explore!References:Dr. Brooke BarnettMelissa BeckwithButler University Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, Dr. Andrea Scott, Former Provost and new Special Advisor to the President and distinguished professor of marketing at George Fox University, shares her real-world experiences of challenges many provosts face and how she navigated those, especially knowing your audiences and their preferred way(s) of receiving information.References:Dr. Andrea ScottDrandreascott.com 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, Josh Wilson, former Associate CIO at Brandeis University, Board Vice Chair for Apereo Foundation, and Senior Engagement Manager for Higher Digital, shares his leadership philosophy and who he sees as the most compelling audience for such development. In addition, he shows how this active and open leadership approach improves outcomes, especially when paired with Higher Digital’s proven change management methodology for higher ed institutions modernizing systems and moving toward SaaS solutions.  References:Josh WilsonFlywheel Strategies website Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, Patricia Patria, Chief Information Officer at Babson College, talks about the pros and cons of the AI experiment she has been leading since the fall of 2023, bringing AI into diverse courses for students at all levels. Learn how this experiment resulted in defined needs, tools and policies around AI to ensure a positive experience for students as well as faculty, balancing the potential for AI with inherent risks.References:Patty PatriaBabson CollegeBabson College websiteEngage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, Dr. Ali Houshmand, President at Rowan University, highlights the value of candid assessments of what internal teams can deliver and what they can’t. With that understanding, leaders can develop partnerships that are aligned with the institutions goals to fill gaps, following best practices and encouraging mutual growth. Centering strategy and decisions around guiding principles can build confidence in any institutional leader, banishing imposter syndrome with proven outcomes. References:Dr. Ali HoushmandRowan UniversityRowan University websiteEngage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, Dr. Tamara Brown, Provost and SVP of Academic Affairs at the University of Texas, Arlington– explains why she firmly believes anything is possible when a provost owns transformation, guiding the entire institution towards alignment in support of leadership’s vision for the academic mission. Experiment, and fail if necessary, but learn through the process. Listen in to pick up additional pointers from an experienced and influential leader! Dr. Brown: linkedin.com/in/tamara-brown-463708UTA: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-texas-at-arlington            http://www.uta.edu Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, Dr. Ann Marie Klotz, Vice President for Development, Enrollment and Student Success at Naropa University – shares the transformation journey of Naropa University with our host, JoeGottlieb, as she discusses the institution's shift in its business model through and beyond the pandemic. Key points include embracing change as higher ed evolves, staying flexible to encourage staff retention, and focusing on students during recruiting efforts. References:Dr. Ann Marie Klotz​Naropa University Naropa University websiteEngage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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 of TRANSFORMED, Dr. Maléka Ingram, Executive Dean of the Online Campus at Adler University, walks us through the journey Adler University took, working with two different external teams to develop and manage the online education program in the early years, with initial positive results but also growing negative impacts. By learning from those experiences and building a new core competency, Adler now manages all aspects of the online campus in-house, from the infrastructure itself to all the functions that make up an effective academic program, including recruiting students, designing the curriculum, and all the rest.  Dr. Maléka Ingram​ Adler University​  Adler University website 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 in the Presidential Series of TRANSFORMED, Darby Dickerson – president and dean of Southwestern Law School – shares the institution’s new, unique offering of an online, ABA-accredited law degree for nontraditional students, with full-time or part-time options. Listen in to hear how Dean Dickerson applied tried and true change management techniques to develop the new programs, including recognizing the need to change, involving enthusiastic staff, adjusting processes, and leveraging technology to lead to a strategic advantage.  References: Darby Dickerson​  Southwestern Law School​ Southwestern Law School website Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital at any time!  Subscribe to TRANSFORMED wherever you get your podcasts to hear from higher ed leaders as soon as new episodes drop.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 in the Presidential Series of TRANSFORMED, Dr. John Jackson – president of William Jessup University – lists many barbarians at the higher ed table, and even counts himself as one. He shares his FDA approach – flexible, distributed and accessible – that drives his leadership decisions at Jessup University, while running the institution like a business with a focused mission, understanding of their ideal customer, and an innovation imperative. References:Dr. John Jackson​William Jessup University​Barbarians at the Gate, Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, 1989 ​Grace Ambassador, Dr. John Jackson, 2023Engage with host, Joe Gottlieb, at discussion@higher.digital 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