On this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with Dr. Arthur Levine, President of Brandeis University and one of higher education's leading voices on institutional innovation, to explore how universities must reinvent themselves for an AI-driven future while preserving the human skills that matter most.
Together they discuss:
Why universities must reinvent themselves for the AI era
How Brandeis is reimagining the liberal arts
Why ethics should come before AI literacy
How leaders can prepare institutions—and students—for the future of work
Whether you're a university president, enrollment leader, faculty member, or higher education innovator, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of higher education.
EDU Unlocked is brought to you by EDMO, the AI operating system for enrollment management. By connecting documents, conversations, and campus systems into one intelligent platform, EDMO helps colleges and universities eliminate data silos, improve operations, and create better experiences for every student.
Learn more at goedmo.com
Chapters
0:00 — Introduction
1:15 — Guest Introduction
2:00 — Arthur's Journey
6:50 — Leading Change
11:40 — Reinventing Liberal Arts
17:45 — The Brandeis Plan
23:20 — Applied Liberal Arts
28:50 — AI Bootcamp
31:20 — Preparing Future Leaders
34:05 — The Future of Higher Ed
37:55 — Closing Thoughts
38:35 — Outro
FOR EDUCATORS & INSTITUTIONAL LEADERS:
The future of higher education isn't about choosing between tradition and technology—it's about thoughtfully reinventing institutions to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Dr. Levine offers practical insights on leading change, embracing AI responsibly, and ensuring higher education continues to deliver lasting value.
Listen to more from the EDU Unlocked Podcast—helping higher education leaders navigate what's next.

On this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with E. LaBrent Chrite, President of Bentley University, to explore why even successful institutions have to keep evolving as technology, business, and the needs of students change.Together they discuss:* Why past success can’t become an excuse to stand still* How Bentley is preparing students for a rapidly changing economy and workplace* Why AI matters, but shouldn’t become higher education’s latest “shiny object”* How universities can embrace AI thoughtfully while continuing to develop communication, judgment, problem-solving, and other distinctly human skillsWhether you're a university president, enrollment leader, faculty member, or higher education innovator, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of higher education.FOR EDUCATORS & INSTITUTIONAL LEADERS:Innovation doesn’t mean chasing every new technology. President Chrite makes the case for being bold without being reckless: understanding where the world is heading, staying grounded in institutional values, and preparing students with the skills they’ll need to navigate what comes next.Listen to more from the EDU Unlocked Podcast—exploring the ideas, leaders, and innovations shaping the future of higher education.EDU Unlocked is brought to you by EDMO, the AI operating system for enrollment management. By connecting documents, conversations, and campus systems into one intelligent platform, EDMO helps colleges and universities eliminate data silos, improve operations, and create better experiences for every student.Learn more at www.goedmo.com0:00 — Introduction1:32 — Guest Introduction2:35 — Leading Bentley4:03 — The Risk of Standing Still7:22 — Preparing Students for Change11:25 — Beyond the AI Hype14:48 — Navigating AI Responsibly17:26 — Bentley's Approach to AI20:38 — The Future of Work25:18 — Preparing Future Leaders30:12 — Leadership and Higher Education34:20 — Looking Ahead37:15 — Closing Thoughts38:10 — Outro

In this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Learning Strategy at Instructure, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education, why AI fluency matters more than AI expertise, and how educators can prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven workforce.

Ryan begins by reflecting on his unexpected journey into higher education. Originally planning a career in advertising, he joined one of the earliest education technology startups and quickly discovered the energy and purpose that campuses provide. More than two decades later, he continues to work with institutions around the world, helping them adopt technology in ways that genuinely improve teaching and learning.

The conversation explores one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding AI in education: that mastering prompts or using the latest tools is enough. Ryan argues that real learning still comes from human interaction. While AI can be an incredible tutor, research assistant, and productivity tool, it cannot replace the inspiration, mentorship, and curiosity that great educators create inside and outside the classroom.

Ashish and Ryan also discuss why universities must move beyond simply teaching students about AI. Instead, institutions should create authentic learning experiences where students solve real-world problems with AI, develop critical thinking skills, and learn when to trust technology and when to question it. AI fluency, Ryan explains, is becoming as fundamental as digital literacy.

The discussion also covers the rapid evolution of agentic AI, the growing importance of responsible AI adoption, and how higher education can balance innovation with academic integrity. Ryan emphasizes that educators shouldn't fear AI replacing them. Instead, they should focus on helping students become capable, adaptable professionals who know how to collaborate with intelligent systems.

The episode concludes with Ryan's perspective on the future of education: technology will continue to evolve rapidly, but the human connection between educators and learners will remain the foundation of meaningful learning.