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.

In part one of this conversation, Dr. Kate Zatz shares the personal story that shaped her commitment to students and higher education. From her journey as a first-generation college student to her leadership roles across multiple institutions, Kate reflects on mentorship, student involvement, and the importance of belonging in higher education.

She also discusses her decades of work with the Girl Scouts and why leadership development and community support matter more than ever for young people today.

What can leaders learn from the natural world?

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith continue their conversation with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, co-authors of The ABCs of Murmuration: Collective Wisdom of Nature.

Building on the concept of Flock Logic, the conversation explores how leaders and organizations can adapt, move together, and learn from the rhythms of nature.

Kathy and Robin introduce the idea of “walking in a new way” — shifting how we think about leadership, collaboration, and innovation. Through stories, research, and practical insights, they show how collective movement, shared rhythm, and distributed leadership can help organizations navigate complexity and change.

If you work in education, leadership, or organizational development, this episode will challenge you to rethink how groups move, learn, and evolve together.

Extended Show Notes

Nature offers powerful lessons for leadership — especially when we observe how complex systems move and adapt together.

In this episode, Michael and Vernon welcome back Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, authors of The ABCs of Murmuration: Collective Wisdom of Nature. Their work explores how patterns found in nature — particularly bird murmurations — reveal powerful insights about collaboration, adaptability, and collective intelligence.

During the conversation, they explore:

• What murmuration can teach us about collective leadership
• The concept of Flock Logic and shared rhythm in organizations
• Why leadership today requires movement rather than control
• How organizations can adapt by “walking in a new way”
• The power of distributed leadership and emergent collaboration
• Lessons from nature that apply to education, innovation, and change

Rather than relying on rigid hierarchies, effective organizations learn to move like living systems — sensing, adapting, and responding together.

For leaders navigating uncertainty, these ideas provide a fresh lens for understanding how people and organizations can thrive in complex environments.

In this episode, Michael and Vernon continue their conversation with Dr. Ira Lovitch as they explore the final two elements of his Five M’s framework for innovation.

While technology and processes matter, Ira argues that lasting innovation ultimately comes down to people and the environments in which they work and learn.

The conversation highlights how leadership, culture, and care for students shape meaningful progress in higher education.

Show Notes

In this episode we discuss:

• The Human element of innovation
• Why leadership and relationships matter in change
• Creating environments where innovation can grow
• How educators can better engage today’s students
• Why effective leadership begins with heart and soul

This episode concludes our two-part conversation with Dr. Ira Lovitch.

Dr. Ira Lovitch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iralovitch557
Mount St. Mary’s University: https://www.msmu.edu/

Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon welcome Dr. Ira Lovitch, an experienced business faculty member and longtime educator in online higher education.

Ira introduces his Five M’s framework for innovation, a model that helps leaders understand how change happens inside organizations. In this first part of the conversation, the discussion focuses on the first three elements of the model:

• Measurement
• Methods
• Machines

Together, they explore how institutions evaluate progress, improve processes, and leverage technology to support meaningful innovation in education.

This conversation is especially valuable for leaders and educators working to navigate change in complex institutions.

Show Notes

In this episode we discuss:

• Ira Lovitch’s Five M’s framework for innovation
• Why measurement matters when evaluating change
• How methods and processes shape innovation
• The role of technology and tools (“machines”) in education
• Lessons from years of teaching and leading in online higher education

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.

In the next episode, we explore the final two elements of Ira’s framework: Humans and Environment.

Dr. Ira Lovitch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iralovitch557
Mount St. Mary’s University: https://www.msmu.edu/

Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com

Episode Description

In Part 2 of this conversation on the Engaged By Design Podcast, Dr. Michael Cottam continues his discussion with Andrea Dunn, focusing on the evolving landscape of Open Educational Resources, generative AI, and change leadership in higher education.

Andrea reflects on how institutions are responding to rising costs, emerging technologies, and shifting learner expectations—and why successful change requires more than new tools. From AI-supported workflows to small but meaningful design decisions, this episode highlights the deeply human side of innovation.

Leaders will gain practical insights into navigating resistance, identity, and trust while guiding teams through continuous change.

In this episode, we explore:

• How OER has evolved across states and institutions
• What generative AI is changing—and what still requires human judgment
• Why small design and language choices can shape learner belonging
• How listening and empathy strengthen leadership during disruption

This episode is ideal for leaders, faculty, and professionals seeking thoughtful, learner-centered approaches to innovation in higher education.