Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education and the workforce our students are entering. The question for institutions is no longer whether to engage with AI—but whether they will do so intentionally.

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith talk with Heather Pelkie, who leads AI initiatives at West Coast University and serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication.

Heather shares how her work sits at the intersection of AI innovation, learning design, and organizational strategy. She discusses how institutions can move beyond reactive experimentation toward thoughtful implementation that prepares students to work alongside AI systems.

The conversation explores the rapid pace of technological change, the importance of keeping humans at the center of AI use, and new ways educators can design experiential learning using AI-powered simulations and interactive tools.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation exploring how higher education can lead the AI transformation rather than lag behind it.

Key Topics Discussed

• The intersection of AI, higher education, and workforce readiness
• Why higher education is at an inflection point with AI
• Moving from reactive AI experimentation to intentional strategy
• The accelerating pace of AI change and how leaders stay informed
• Keeping the human in the loop when using AI tools
• Using the “How Might We” innovation question to unlock new possibilities
• Designing experiential learning with AI simulations and agents
• Preparing graduates for an AI-integrated workforce

West Coast University - https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu

Engaged By Design - https://www.engagedbydesign.com

In this final installment of their conversation with Dr. Kate Zatz, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith explore one of the most difficult and urgent topics facing higher education today: antisemitism on college campuses and the responsibility of institutional leaders to respond with integrity and wisdom.

Kate begins by sharing personal background about her family, her children’s Jewish upbringing, and the way these issues became very real through her son’s experiences as a student. She recounts troubling incidents of antisemitism at the University of Vermont and reflects on the role that advocacy organizations, student organizing, and federal Title VI complaints have played in pushing institutions to respond.

The conversation then moves into a larger leadership discussion. Kate argues that many higher education leaders are not adequately prepared for the complexity of the institutions they are asked to lead. She raises important questions about leadership pipelines, institutional memory, and the loss of knowledge continuity in higher education.

Vernon and Michael invite Kate to reflect on what gives her hope in the face of these challenges. Her answer points not to grand systems alone, but to the everyday work of raising thoughtful children, mentoring emerging leaders, continuing to learn, and choosing to keep going even after setbacks.

The episode closes with a fitting reflection on Kate’s legacy: not only the thousands of students whose diplomas bear her signature, but the many leaders she has encouraged, mentored, and helped prepare for the work ahead.

This final conversation is both sobering and hopeful—a reminder that higher education leadership requires courage, memory, compassion, and a deep commitment to people.

Key Topics Covered

• Kate Zatz’s family story and Jewish identity
• Antisemitism on college campuses
• Student advocacy and Title VI complaints
• The role of the Brandeis Center and Jewish on Campus
• Leadership responsibility in moments of crisis
• Why institutional policies and practices matter
• Knowledge continuity and institutional memory in higher education
• Concerns about leadership preparation and presidential pipelines
• The importance of history, learning, and moral awareness
• Mentorship, hope, and legacy in a life of service

Key Resources for this Episode

Brandeis Center - https://brandeiscenter.com

Jewish on Campus - https://www.jewishoncampus.org

In part two, the conversation turns to artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education. Kate shares her experiences teaching during the rapid rise of AI tools and discusses the challenges they create for assessment, academic integrity, and course design.

The discussion also explores how educators can respond by designing meaningful learning experiences that emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving.