The Signals

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Dr. Ying Iverson, Chief Academic Officer at Westcliff University, to explore how higher education is evolving for today’s global, digital-first learners. Dr. Iverson shares what she’s seeing across Westcliff’s worldwide student population from rising expectations for flexibility and mobile learning to the growing influence of AI on study habits,...

In today’s episode of signals podcast, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Richard McDorman, Chief Academic Officer at Language On Schools, to dig into the intersection of language learning, technology, and regulation in U.S. education. They discussed how Language On Schools uses technology across their ten campuses to support students from their first contact all the way through graduation, and h...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Bethany Becknell, Director of Online Learning and Student Success at Oklahoma Christian University, to explore what it really looks like to move from K12 teaching into leading online programs in higher education. Bethany shares her journey from 9th-10th grade English teacher to doctoral student to online learning leader and how being an adult le...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson talks with Dr. Scott Robinson, Director of Digital Learning and Design at Portland State University, about the seismic shift from professors as content gatekeepers to instructors as facilitators of learning, and why this change boosts student motivation, relevance, and outcomes. With questions also from Dr. Mallory Dwinal Palisch, the conversation explores ope...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Joseph Gargaro, Director of Learning Design at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, to unpack what it really takes to keep courses current, human, and effective in a post-COVID, AI-accelerated world. Joseph shares how shifting student expectations from pure flexibility to authentic connection is reshaping course design, faculty workflows, and p...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Dr. Nic Bongers, Director of Instructional Design at Oakland University in Metro Detroit, to talk about the changing landscape of online learning. Nic shares his unique perspective as a graphic designer turned instructional designer, revealing how his experiences both as an online student and instructor have shaped his approach to course develop...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson is joined by Dr. Peter Folliard, Dean of the School of Music and Vice President for Innovation at Augustana University. Together, they explore how a lifelong musician and conductor became one of higher education’s most forward-thinking AI innovators bridging creativity, leadership, and technology in surprising ways. From conducting at the White House with the...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson is joined by Ann-Michelle Levangie, Director of Instructional Design at Stukent. Together, they explore Stukent’s Simternships—fully simulated, virtual internships that give students hands-on career experience in a digital environment. Ann-Michelle shares how immersive, work-integrated learning bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice,...

In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson is joined by Dr. Errin Heyman, Associate Vice President of Learning Experience at National University. Together, they dive into the world of online education innovation, exploring how National University, one of the largest private nonprofits in the country, is revolutionizing virtual learning for nontraditional and working students, including those in the mil...

In this episode, Kelsey Peterson sits down with Erin Hill, Vice President of Strategic Projects at Jessup University, to explore how the institution is pioneering the integration of AI into higher education. Erin shares the story behind Jessup Plus AI, a groundbreaking initiative centered around their custom-built chatbot, “Jessie.” Together, they discuss how Jessie personalizes learning for stude...

In this episode, Kelsey Peterson sits down with Elizabeth Barrie, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Innovation at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Beth shares the fascinating backstory of how UNLV transformed its approach to online education, sparked by an innovative partnership with MGM Resorts International. Together, they explore the evolution of online learning, from overcoming skepti...

In today’s episode, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Josh Burnett to explore the creation, growth, and impact of a unique master’s program for K-12 educators in American history. Josh shares the story of how his team partnered with Gettysburg College to develop an accessible, flexible, and affordable online graduate program designed especially for teachers, whether they’re in the classroom, mus...

In this episode of Signals , Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Angie Paccione, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, for a conversation about leadership, opportunity, and the evolving value of higher education. From her groundbreaking path as the first African American woman to receive a full-ride basketball scholarship at Stanford, to teaching, coaching, serving in the s...

In this episode of Signals , Laura Glaab sits down with Andrew Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster University, for a candid conversation about the state—and future—of online learning. With over 300,000 students enrolled across high school, college, and career programs, Penn Foster is quietly shaping a radically affordable, career-aligned alternative to traditional education. Shean dives i...

In this episode of The Signals , host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Marc Austin, Vice Provost and Managing Director of Montclair State University’s ambitious new initiative— Montclair Unbound . Together, they unpack what it really means to “remove barriers” in higher education, from rethinking how we deliver online learning to closing capability gaps that keep students from thriving. Dr. Austin s...

In this episode of The Signals , host Laura Glaab sits down with Anzar Khaliq, Chief Learning Officer at San Francisco Bay University, to explore a bold and necessary question: What if we rebuilt higher education from the ground up? Anzar shares how SFBU is doing just that—challenging every norm, from the credit hour to the concept of the traditional lecture. You’ll hear how the university is desi...

In this episode of The Signals Podcast , host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Shannon McCarty, Vice Provost of Learning and Instruction at Calbright College—California’s groundbreaking online community college designed exclusively for adult learners. Shannon shares how Calbright is rewriting the playbook for higher education through competency-based, flexibly-paced, tuition-free programs aimed at u...

In this episode of Signals Podcast, host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Mallory Dwinal Palisch, president, craft at Western Governors University to dive deep into the complex, and often overlooked challenges at the intersection of education and the workforce. Dr. Palisch breaks down how Craft is tackling the "boring" but critical problem of connecting K-12 schools, higher education, and employers...

In this episode of The Signals Podcast , host Laura Glabb sits down with Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart and former executive director of education at the Gates Foundation to explore the evolving world of credentialing, personalized learning, and the next generation of education. From his early advocacy for digital badges and learning records to his current work shaping AI-first schools, Tom...