TRANSFORMED

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Most of the conversation around AI in higher education is focused on the classroom. But that’s not where the real impact is happening. In this episode of Transformed , Higher Digital Co-founder and CEO Wayne Bovier sits down with Damian Clarke , VP of Technology at Alabama State University , to unpack where AI is actually creating value—and why so many institut...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In higher education, nothing moves in isolation anymore. Every initiative is connected. Every unit has urgency. And every decision competes with something else that also matters. In this episode, Higher Digital Co-founder and CEO Wayne Bovier sits down with Ed Hudson , Vice Chancellor of IT and CIO at the University of Kansas, to unpack what it actually takes t...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Higher education isn’t short on ideas, it’s overwhelmed by pressure. AI. Budget constraints. Enrollment shifts. Rising expectations. And for many institutions, no clear path forward. In this episode, Higher Digital Co-founder and CEO, Wayne Bovier , sits down with Steve Spinelli , President of Babson College, to explore what it really means for higher education...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! If everything is a priority, you don’t have a capacity problem, you have a decision problem. Welcome to Transformed . In this Launch episode, Higher Digital Co-founder and CEO, Wayne Bovier , introduces the core idea behind the show, and why this conversation matters now more than ever. Higher education isn’t lacking strategy. It’s navigating a moment where: AI...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Dr. Ian F. McNeely reveals how his book "The University Unfettered" provides a dispassionate, evidence-based examination of how public universities operate, challenging both progressive and conservative narratives about higher education's supposed decline. • Universities effectively adapt to reduced state funding through competition while maintai...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Western Technical College president Roger Stanford shares with host Joe Gottlieb how moving to a seven-week term structure transformed student completion rates and revitalized curriculum through comprehensive instructional design. • Complete curriculum redesign of over 1,000 courses • Creation of an empowered steering committee to manage implementation • Three-...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Dr. Emily Messer, President of Texas Wesleyan University , sits down with host Joe Gottlieb to explore how collaborative leadership and modern strategies are shaping the future of higher education. Dr. Messer shares her journey as a first-generation college graduate turned university president, and how she is guiding Texas Wesleyan through a pivotal moment of c...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Mary Papazian, Senior Fellow at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and former president of San José State University, joins our host, Joe Gottlieb, to explore how institutional leaders and boards can navigate today’s perfect storm of change in higher education.  From AI’s transformative impact to shifting student expectations, poli...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, our host, Joe Gottlieb, speaks with Dr. Pamela Steinke, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of South Carolina Upstate, about the power of investing in faculty to lead meaningful institutional change. Dr. Steinke shares how USC Upstate has navigated enrollment shifts and regional workforce demands by reimagin...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode of TRANSFORM ED , Joe speaks with Jeffrey Morin, President of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), about how a patient, community-centered approach can drive significant institutional transformation. Drawing parallels between higher ed and perennial gardening, Jeff shares how MIAD has cultivated enrollment growth, boosted student re...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode of TRANSFORMED, Joe sits down with Dr. Andrea Talentino, President of Augustana College, to explore how she is leading a bold, community-driven approach to strategic planning. With deep roots in teaching, coaching, and student development, Dr. Talentino brings a unique blend of vision and practicality to her leadership. Listeners will gain insig...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, Joe Gottlieb speaks with Sean Moriarty , Chief Technology Officer at State University of New York, Oswego , about how a coach-style leadership model grounded in trust, consistency, and human connection has shaped his approach to technology in higher ed. Sean shares how his dual reporting relationship to both the Provost and CFO enables broad, s...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, host Joe Gottlieb welcomes Matthew Gunkel, Chief Information Officer at the University of California, Riverside. Matt shares how his team partnered with finance to tackle long-standing technical debt and drive meaningful digital transformation at UCR. Listeners will learn how thoughtful collaboration, strategic planning, and a shared commitment...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Nuno Fernandes, President of American Public University System (APUS), joins our host, Joe Gottlieb, for an inspiring conversation on leading with purpose, resourcefulness, and humanity. With a unique path from humble beginnings in Portugal to the helm of one of the largest online universities in the U.S., Fernandes shares how his global journey shaped his pass...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! Join our host Joe Gottlieb as he welcomes back Wayne Bovier, Co-founder and CEO of Higher Digital, for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of transformation in higher education. As a returning guest and original voice behind the podcast's founding, Wayne reflects with host Joe Gottlieb on how far the industry has come—and how mu...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode of TRANSFORM ED , Joe sits down with Dwane Sterling , Chief Information Officer at Skidmore College , for an insightful conversation about the evolving role of IT leadership in higher education. With a background spanning retail, healthcare, and now academia, Dwane brings a unique, cross-industry perspective to what it means to be a truly strate...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! 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 tr...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! In this episode of TRANSFORM ED , 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...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! 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 t...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! David Weil, Vice President of Information Technology and Analytics at Ithaca College, joins the TRANSFORM ED 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...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! 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...

Questions? Feedback? Send us a text! 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 pla...

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 maintai...

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...

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 ex...