Rhode Island College

What are the current roles and responsibilities that you undertake in the educational field and how did you get here?

As the Assistant Vice President for Adult and Online Education at Rhode Island College, my main responsibility is overseeing the development of new online programs, non-traditional adult programs, and graduate programs. I focus on the business side of education, which involves analyzing industry trends and determining what programs and training can fill gaps in the workforce. My career in higher education began in 2006 when I started as a student worker. Since then, I have progressed through various roles, including instructional design assistance, instructional design, training manager, director of online learning, and finally, my current position.

In my present capacity, I prioritize creating programs that prepare students for their future careers in any instructional format, including online. I believe that education should not only focus on imparting knowledge but even on developing practical skills that will help students succeed in the workforce. I also teach undergraduate and graduate online coursesfor other higher education institutions, where I prepare future teachers to design, develop, and teach online and technology-enhanced courses. This experience has given me valuable insights into what needs to be done to improve education from both an administrative and faculty perspective.

One of the most challenging experiences I have faced was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when I was the Director of Online Learning at an another university. We had to quickly transition from face-to-face to online learning and ensure continuity in education for students. With my team, we worked tirelessly to create a timely and strategic response to this crisis and ensure that students could continue learning despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. However, we were very intentional about the fact that what happened during the pandemic was emergency remote teaching, not online learning. We used the momentum caused by the pandemic to model online learning and create a culture that fully understood it. As a result, we created lots of initiatives and informed the development of new online programs.

Implementing Artificial Intelligence I and online learning can be a game-changer for education, but it requires a deliberate and thoughtful approach. Providing training, ongoing professional, instructional, and technological support, and building a culture that values and embraces these technologies can make all the difference in creating a successful learning environment

Overall, my career in education has been one of constant learning and growth. I have witnessed how online education has evolved from being a niche area to becoming a mainstream mode of learning.

How have you seen the education sector evolving throughout your journey?What are the impacts of AI and other trends in the education sector,and how will itchange the industry?

As someone who has been involved in the field of education for many years, I have witnessed some relevantchanges that have had a profound impact on the way we think about teaching and learning. One of them has been the role of technology in the classroom. For a long time, there was a lot of resistance to the idea of using technology in education, with many people believing that it would replace traditional teaching methods. However, over time, we have come to understand that technology can enhance the learning experience for students.

Technology has allowed us to offer online instruction, which has made education accessible to many people who may not have had the opportunity to attend traditional classes. Additionally, it has made it possible to offer adaptive learning, digital game-based learning, microlearning, and other trends, which can make learning more engaging and effective. We have also seen how technology can be used to provide support to students with disabilities, making education more accessible than ever before. Online learning has given an opportunity for everyone to get an education in a flexible fashion. It has allowed employees to continue learning and advancing in their careers without having to quit their jobs or physical go to a classroom. That is why online learning is so popular these days and a major need for today’s workers who want to further their education.

Another area where technology has had a significant impact is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. AI has been around for quite some time, and it has already been used in many areas, such as adaptive learning and chatbots. In education, AI is now becoming part of the conversation and its potential benefits are already evident. For example, AI can provide 24/7 feedback to students and to help them practice for tests. It can also be used to provide assistance to students with disabilities and to help them learn at their own pace. AI can also assist teachers with time-consuming tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing up their time to focus on other teaching areas. AI can even inform teachers about engagement levels and physical challenges in the classroom. The list of benefits and possibilities goes on and on.

Although there is, and I’m sure they will be,  some resistance to the use of AI in education, I believe that it can be a valuable tool for both students and teachers. AI can provide valuable insights into student learning and success andand help teachers customize their teaching methods to better meet the needs of their students.

Equally significant change is the growing importance of workforce development and non-traditional credentials. Many employers are no longer satisfied with simply seeing a degree on a student’s resume; they want to see evidence of specific skills and competencies. This has led to a growing demand for micro-credentials, ePortfolios, and badges that provide evidence of a student’s accomplishments and skills.Even with a degree, employers need to be up to date with new knowledge, skills, and abilities. For this reason, these non-traditional credentials are a must for everyone. To remain competitive, one must be constantly learning and acquiring new skills.

In response to this trend, institutions need to focus on developing courses and programs that teach transferable skills that students can use in the workplace. This means redefining the curriculum and offering courses that are focused on practical skills that are in demand by employers. This has led to the popularity of platforms like Coursera and Google certificates, as well as other industry-specific certifications.Higher education institutions must pay close attention to these trends to satisfy the needs and demands of today’s students and keep their enrollment numbers where they need to be.

In your career, what has beenyour leadership strategy for online learning, AI, and other trends to be adopted and how do you support usersthroughout the process?

There are many misconceptions about online learning and AI.It is important tohave conversations that demystify these new trends and technologies and provide specific examples of how these tools can enhance the teaching and learning experience. You need to model the behavior to others if you really want to see change taking place. These can be game-changes for education when properly implemented.

To promote the use of AI and other technologies, offering workshops and training sessions that teach faculty how to incorporate these tools into their teaching practices is essential. This should be done with a focus on outcomes, making sure that the instruction is aligned with specific learning goals. It is also important to offer ongoing support, so faculty members don’t feel left alone after the initial training. Providing a support system can also make a big difference in the success of implementing new technologies.

In addition to working with faculty, it’scrucial to educate students on how to be better learners using new technologies like AI. This involves changing the culture and vision for students and showing them how these tools can benefit their learning experience. Providing students with the resources they need to succeed, such as access to tutoring or academic support, is also critical for making the implementation of new technologies sustainable. Online students can feel isolated or lacking a sense of belonging compared to on-campus students, so you need to make sure you also developed student initiatives for those online learners. When well-designed, online learning can be as good, if not better, than traditional instruction. Learners can learn life-changing skills that can make them competitive to get jobs. Online students should have that certainty and that can be achieved through mentoring, coaching, and creating programs that foster career-readiness. One of the specific programs I have developed is the adoption of career ePortfolios. I use them when I teach and I have created campus-wide programs around them. They generate success stories and concrete evidence that online learners can be successful, marketable, and career-ready.

What, according to you, are some of the disruptions and transformations that are going to take place in the future within the field of education?

One of the most significant changes we are seeing in education is the shift toward workforce development and the need for more relevant and practical skills. As a result, some degree programs that don’t align with current labor needs may disappear, or they may need to be modified to meet the demands of the job market. Employers are also starting to have a say in what skills they want to see in job candidates, and this is changing the way we approach education.

Online learning is also a game-changer. It used to be seen as a convenience, but now it’s becoming a necessity for many people who can’t afford to attend traditional face-to-face classes. Online learning provides access to education for people with disabilities, those with busy schedules or family obligations, or those who live far away from traditional college campuses. With the pandemic, more people have realized the benefits of online learning and its potential to make education more accessible. An online degree used to be frowned upon, but as more and more institutions start offering online programs, these degrees are going to be seen with less skepticism.

What would be your advice to fellow peers or individuals within the industry?

My belief is that taking risks is often necessary for progress. Throughout history, progress has been driven by individuals who were willing to take risks and envision possibilities that others could not imagine. Therefore, we should always be looking for opportunities to take risks and improve our work to better meet the needs of the current situation.

My advice is to avoid being fully resistant or closed to new ideas, technologies, or approaches. When you hear about something new, don’t automatically shut down or dismiss it. Instead, try exploring it by reading, playing, and experimenting with it. This doesn’t mean that you have to make a decision right away, but it’s important to keep an open mind and explore new things.

Learning is also crucial to keeping up with the changing world. As things are changing rapidly, we need to keep learning and staying updated on the best practices and technologies to improve our work. Therefore, always keep your mind and eyes open to learn and explore new ideas. And finally, I would say that the time is up for education for being traditional. We have seen how other industries such as television, music, or commerce had to change to survive and remain relevant. In order to remain competitive, to attract students, and to offer what they really need, we need to adjust to the realities of today’s world. I certainly think we have no other choice.