Reimagining HigherEd

Whose problem are you solving, and what serves student learning? Studiosity founder Jack Goodman records a special solo episode after a week in California: a conversation with cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf at UCLA, then a conference on AI convened by the Association of Marshall Scholars at Stanford Law School, where he moderated a panel on AI in education. Borrowing a question Stanford’s...

Brent White, President of Golden Gate University (GGU) joins your host and Studiosity Senior Strategic Advisor, Dr. Nicholas Dirks to share how GGU went from only six months of liquidity and 7,000 students, to being on track to becoming the world's first AI native multilingual global university and supporting over 36,000 students. Brent outlines two bold steps to get there: partnering with institu...

In this special episode of Reimagining Higher Education, host Prof Judyth Sachs is joined by Professor Tristan Kennedy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Senior Vice President at Monash University. Celebrating the launch of his new book, Nothing About Us Without Us, Prof Kennedy takes us through his remarkable journey from an unengaged undergraduate to one of the leading Indigenous voices in...

Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE) joins host and Studiosity Senior Fellow, Goldie Blumenstyk for a deep dive into the current state of higher education in the U.S., which Goldie refers to as “different than anything I've ever seen in my 36 years of reporting.” They discuss the urgent need to evaluate universities and colleges by civic impact and social mobility rat...

How can higher education prepare graduates for an era defined by AI, rapid workplace changes, and technological uncertainty? In this Live recording, Studiosity Chief Academic Officer Prof Judyth Sachs hosts a panel of higher education leaders and a student perspective to examine the intersection of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), enduring human capabilities, and responsible AI integration. Discove...

Former Director of Harvard College Writing Center, Jane Rosenzweig, sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs to explore why writing is far more than just an assignment to grade; rather it is a tool for critical thinking and intellectual discovery, that empowers students to develop their own voice and appreciate the value of thinking for themselves. Drawing on decades of teaching experience, Jane spea...

Dr. Jun Salipsip, President of Enderun Colleges in the Philippines, sits down with Prof. Judyth Sachs to reflect on what it means to prepare students for an unpredictable future. Moving beyond traditional lectures, Dr. Salipsip breaks down Enderun’s hands-on approach - from building an "experience bank" of real-world challenges to using inquiry-driven curriculum that teaches students how to think,...

Dr. Paul LeBlanc, former ACE Board Chair and President Emeritus of Southern New Hampshire University, joins Troy Burnett, SVP and GM of Studiosity, to explore AI impact on trust and public perception within the higher education space, unpacking the policy frameworks necessary to safeguard the inherent value of a degree in an AI-driven landscape.

Can higher education look beyond bureaucracy and rankings to achieve transformative scale? Join Professor Colin Stirling, President and Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University in conversation with your host, Professor Judyth Sachs as they explore purpose-driven leadership and the strategy behind Flinders' bold mission to transform 10 million lives over the next decade. Drawing on his lived experien...

Professor Hany El Kadi, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Liwa University joins host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate, sharing insights on how senior leaders can navigate assessment, ethics, and student trust in the age of AI. Encouraging a shift toward evaluation that considers the students learning process, Prof El Kadi says "We can no longer assess students the way we have been" and highlights early ethi...

Dr. Nicholas Dirks, former Chancellor of UC Berkeley, President and CEO of New York Academy of Sciences, and Studiosity Academic Advisory Board member joins Prof. Judyth Sachs for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the role of leaders and educators in adapting pedagogy to spark curiosity in students and stay relevant amid rapid change. Drawing on decades of leadership, Dr. Dirks discusses...

His Excellency Dr. Mansoor Alawar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) joins host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate to discuss the transformation of higher education in the UAE, emphasising the shift from knowledge transmission to fostering critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and lifelong learning. Seeing AI as a transformation engine, H.E. Dr. Alawar shares his forward-thinking vis...

"What are we building the future of our students on? Is it on a solid foundation or is it on a deck of cards that can fall at any change in the wind?" In this latest episode, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Polytechnic, joins host Dr. Ashraf Mahate to explore how universities can uphold academic integrity and degree value through critical thinking, responsible AI int...

Host Dr Ashraf Mahate recently sat down with Abu Dhabi University's Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence, Dr Hamad Odhabi, for a chat about how he sees the current and future state of Higher Education. They discussed: Strategies for maintaining academic credibility by evaluating the incremental process of learning rather than relying solely on final assignment submissions. The evoluti...

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of Austin Community College (ACC) joins host Prof. Judyth Sachs for an insightful, practical conversation on overcoming bureaucracy to put students back at the center of higher education. They discuss: Building systems for students: Dr. Lowery-Hart assumed student dropouts were driven by pedagogical gaps. Listening to students revealed the real hurdles occurred...

Dr. Khalid Khawaja, Provost, Vice President Academic Affairs at RIT Dubai, sits down with host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate to share a bold vision for adapting higher education in this AI era. They discuss: The importance of agile, clear AI strategy in curriculum design to embed the right tools that enhance learning without sacrificing foundational skills. Finding new ways for graduates to build real-world...

This week, Prof Zlatko Skrbis, Australian Catholic University (ACU) Vice-Chancellor and President sits down with your host Prof Judyth Sachs, to unpack what it actually takes to run a university in a period of constant disruption.  They discuss: The challenge faced by university leaders to avoid managing defensively, during budget cuts. How ACU balances a nationwide presence with tight-knit, local...

In this new episode, host Dr Ashraf Mahate sits down with Prof Bassam Alameddine, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), to discuss future-proofing the next generation of graduates. Prof Bassam shared how his own formative journey and struggles - including growing up during the Lebanese civil war - taught him resilience and humility, traits that now drive his forward-think...

Jack Goodman, Founder of Studiosity, joins Chief Academic Officer Prof. Judyth Sachs to explore the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence on higher education, underpinned by the need to rebuild trust in the student-teacher relationship. Goodman addresses the dangers of "cognitive surrender" and the rise of plausible "AI slop," advocating for a shift away from a "police and punish"...

Dr. Joane Serrano, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) joins Prof. Judyth Sachs to discuss the future of open learning and equity in education. Grounded in her background in development communication, Dr. Serrano advocates for a contextualised, people-first strategy to leadership, sharing how UPOU is responding to opportunities and challenges in higher education...

What does true belonging look like on a modern university campus? In this special live-recorded episode of Reimagining Higher Education, we take you directly to our National Reconciliation Week First Nations student panel, hosted by Studiosity at the Sydney Swans Headquarters on Gadigal Country (Moore Park).  Chaired by UNSW's Deputy Vice Chancellor Indigenous, Prof Leanne Holt, we listen to the p...

In this special episode of the Reimagining Higher Education podcast, Prof Judyth Sachs sits down with Prof Michael Donovan, a Gumbaynggir man and Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) at La Trobe University, to explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledges and academic practice.    Drawing on his diverse background as a nurse, teacher, and Fulbright Schola, Prof Donovan discusses moving beyond tryi...

Dr. Courtney Hills McBeth, Chief Academic Officer and Provost at Western Governors University (WGU) joins host Prof. Judyth Sachs, to discuss the "dual transformation" reshaping WGU. They dive into: Shifting demographics: How WGU is adapting now that 40% of its incoming online students are younger learners with limited career experience. Fostering community: Building belonging in a digital space t...

Professor Nick Klomp, Vice-Chancellor and President of CQUniversity sits down with your host, Professor Judyth Sachs to explore the evolving landscape of regional higher education, focusing on institutional mission, student demographics, the integration of emerging technologies, and future of flexible learning. He reinforces that the sustainable university of the future must balance new technologi...

On Friday 8th May 2026, your panel came together to discuss how institutions can help students to thrive, among all the anxiety and uncertainty of the AI age.  This session explores the intersection of generative AI and student mental health in the higher education sector. Featuring a diverse panel of academic leaders from Australia and Malaysia, and a student representative, the session addresses...