Episode Description

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Dr. Michael Cottam is joined by Andrea Dunn, a strategic technology and operations leader with more than 20 years of experience driving large-scale initiatives in higher education.

Andrea shares behind-the-scenes insights from her work leading enterprise course materials and Open Educational Resource (OER) initiatives at scale—impacting tens of thousands of learners. Together, we explore what it really takes to implement meaningful change across complex systems while keeping students, faculty, and staff at the center.

This conversation is especially valuable for leaders working from the middle—those navigating priorities, resistance, and execution across institutional boundaries.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How OER and digital course materials can reduce cost while improving access and learning outcomes
• What large-scale change looks like behind the scenes in higher education
• How agile and product-focused leadership supports sustainable innovation
• Why listening, iteration, and empathy matter as much as strategy

Whether you work in academic leadership, instructional design, IT, or student support, this episode offers practical lessons for leading change thoughtfully and effectively.

Episode Description

What does it really take to lead change from the middle of an institution?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Christina Dryden explore leadership, trust-building, and the realities of managing change across complex higher education organizations. The discussion then turns to AI—how instructional design, assessment, and faculty roles are evolving, and why keeping humans in the loop matters more than ever.

This episode offers practical wisdom for academic leaders navigating constant change with clarity, authenticity, and hope.

Key Topics

• Leading change without positional authority
• Trust, transparency, and authenticity in leadership
• Learning from mentors and leadership experiences
• Using AI responsibly in instructional design and assessment
• Preparing institutions and faculty for the AI-enabled future

Guest

Christina Dryden
Vice Provost, American College of Financial Services

Explore the AI Course Design Accelerator at www.engagedbydesign.com

Episode Description

How do students really choose a college—and what do families often overlook?

In Part 1 of this conversation, Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Christina Dryden explore how students make college decisions, what criteria matter most to them, and why the true value of higher education goes far beyond rankings and prestige.

Drawing from Christina’s experience as a Vice Provost, assessment leader, and parent, this episode examines college choice through a human lens—focusing on formation, learning how to learn, relationships, and preparing students for a lifetime of change.

Key Topics

• How students evaluate colleges differently than parents expect
• Graduation rates, fit, and hands-on learning
• Why rankings often matter more to institutions than students
• The deeper return on investment of higher education
• Education as preparation for the eighth job, not the first

Guest

Christina Dryden
Vice Provost, American College of Financial Services

Explore the AI Course Design Accelerator at www.engagedbydesign.com