THE PLEXUSS PRESIDENTIAL PODCAST SERIES

JP Novin and José Marie Griffiths discuss the profound impact of AI on the future workforce, highlighting Dakota State University's comprehensive approach to AI education, including new degrees and the integration of computing across all disciplines. José Marie Griffiths emphasizes preparing students for evolving job roles, addressing ethical considerations, and promoting AI literacy across th...

JP Novin introduced Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University, who shared her extensive background in AI research and discussed how AI is transforming the workforce and education, including Marymount University's new AI degree and minor programs. Dr. Irma Becerra explained the university's "Momentum" strategic plan, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and prepares students for...

Dr. JP Novin welcomes Jonathan Alger to discuss American University's AI initiatives, including their Applied Artificial Intelligence program, academic AI curriculum, and leadership in ethical AI. Jonathan Alger explains that AI is rapidly transforming the job landscape, requiring universities to prepare students for multiple future careers by emphasizing lifelong learning skills such as intel...

Dr. JP Novin welcomes President John Loyack, who discusses Rider University's profile and his career transition from corporate to higher education, where he facilitates financial restructuring and growth at other institutions. President Loyack highlights AI's transformative impact on the workforce, emphasizing its role in creating efficiencies and new jobs, while also stressing the need fo...

Dr. JP Novin welcomes Dr. Nathan Long, President of the University of Western States, to discuss the impact of AI on education and the future workforce. Dr. Nathan Long explains how AI is transforming the workforce by creating new opportunities while displacing jobs focused on routine tasks. He emphasizes the need for higher education to integrate AI into curricula to equip students with critical...

Dr. JP Novin welcomes Dr. Larry Thompson and Rick Dakan, who elaborate on Ringling College of Art and Design’s proactive approach to AI—including their AI task force, undergraduate AI certificate program, and annual AI symposium. They emphasize that AI serves as a tool to enhance human creativity and discernment. Dr. Thompson and Rick Dakan also discuss AI’s impact on the entertainment industry, t...

Steven Weiner and JP Novin discuss AI’s significant impact on the workforce and education, with Menlo College integrating AI into its curriculum to prepare students for future opportunities through a new major in Artificial Intelligence and Analytics (AIA) and enhanced programs. Steven Weiner outlines Menlo College’s career readiness strategies, including a mandatory internship program and extensi...

Dr. JP Novin welcomes President Matt Thompson to the podcast and highlights Thompson’s significant achievements at Kansas Wesleyan University. President Matt Thompson discusses the transformative impact of AI on future employment, higher education, and curriculum—emphasizing the need to return to liberal arts education and strengthen foundational K–12 skills. He also shares how Kansas Wesleyan is...

JP Novin welcomes Dr. Brendan Kelly to the podcast, where President Kelly explains the ASU System’s mandate to operate as an ecosystem—focused on efficiency and value creation for students, employers, and the state of Arkansas. President Kelly views AI as a tool for faster learning and problem-solving, not a replacement for human capabilities. He emphasizes that education should prepare students w...

The guest of Season 3, Episode 8 is Dr. Mohammed Abousalem, president of Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). In this conversation, Dr. Abousalem discusses how KGI is reimagining education at the intersection of AI, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship. As a leader in global innovation and a key voice in California’s life sciences ecosystem, he shares how KGI is preparing students not just for today’s wo...

President Matthew Draud and Dr. JP Novin explore AI’s transformative impact on the workforce, emphasizing the need for higher education to prioritize critical thinking and ethical AI use. They discuss how regulatory compliance may slow AI adoption in certain fields, the challenges universities face in adapting curricula to keep pace with AI’s rapid development, and the potential for AI to reshape...

In Episode 6 of Season 3, Dr. Gregory Jones, President of Belmont University, explores the pervasive impact of AI across every vocation and field. He emphasizes the importance of viewing AI as a tool to enhance humanity and highlights the need to equip students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts to prepare them for the future of work. President Jones discusses Belmont University’s curren...

Our guest for Season 3, Episode 5 is Tarek M. Sobh, Ph. D., President of Lawrence Technological University. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing the workforce, urging lifelong learning and foundational skills as traditional roles and educational applications evolve. Dr. Sobh emphasizes the unique opportunity of technological universities like Lawrence Tech to prep students for a tech-driven econ...

Our guest for Season 3, Episode 4 of the Plexuss Presidential Podcast is Robyn Hannigan, Ph. D., President of Ursinus College. She shares how AI is set to profoundly impact every aspect of work—not by replacing jobs, but by augmenting them—and emphasizes the essential role of a liberal arts education in preparing students for that future. President Hannigan highlights Ursinus College’s holistic ap...

Episode 3 welcomes President Brian Hemphill of Old Dominion University to explore how AI is reshaping higher education—from the classroom to the workplace. President Hemphill discusses ODU’s innovative initiatives, including the Monarch Mind AI platform, AI-integrated general education, specialized certificate programs, and the university’s centennial cluster initiative to recruit AI-focused facul...

William R. Kennedy, President of Andrew College, joins JP Novin to discuss the college’s history, its business-oriented approach to higher education, and the accelerating impact of AI on the workforce. They explore how institutions like Andrew College are adapting—examining strategies for AI integration, the evolving role of the humanities, potential shifts in curriculum and degree structures, and...

JP Novin welcomed President Thom Chesney to discuss the impact of AI on higher education and the future workforce. Thom Chesney shared insights on Southwestern College's mission and their approach to integrating AI awareness into curricula, emphasizing engagement and exploration of AI as a tool to augment human roles across various fields, from clinical processes to administrative tasks. Discu...

This season, we're exploring how AI is transforming education, leadership, and the future of the workforce.

Dr. Greg Jones, President, Belmont University, joins Brad Johnson

Dr. Diane Lovell, President, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Kenneth R. Evans, President, Oklahoma City University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Michael Frandsen, President, Wittenberg University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Rosemary Thomas, President, Chowan University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Douglas Mann, President, Bryan College, joins Brad Johnson.

Suzy Siegle & Tom Petz, President & CEO / Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Walsh College, join Brad Johnson.