In part two of our conversation with President Bruce Kusch of Ensign College, we explore Ensign College’s groundbreaking move to three-year bachelor’s degrees and what that means for the future of higher education.

President Kusch discusses accreditation challenges, workforce alignment, vocational education, AI disruption, and why colleges must rethink how they prepare students for meaningful careers. We also discuss leadership longevity, institutional alignment, and how mission clarity enables innovation.

This episode is especially relevant for higher education leaders navigating rapid technological and workforce change.

Key Topics

• The development of three-year bachelor’s degrees
• Accreditation and innovation challenges
• Workforce alignment and career readiness
• AI and the future of employment
• Vocational education and skilled trades
• Scaling online education globally
• Leadership, timing, and institutional change
• The difference between being a student and being a learner

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

In part one of our conversation with President Bruce Kusch of Ensign College, we explore the remarkable transformation of the institution formerly known as LDS Business College into a global, applied-learning institution serving students in more than 100 countries.

President Kusch shares the story behind the Ensign College mission statement, the institution’s close partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide, and the leadership principles that guided rapid innovation and growth. We also discuss practitioner faculty, workforce alignment, student employability, and the importance of building “capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ.”

This episode offers valuable insights for higher education leaders, instructional designers, and anyone interested in mission-driven institutional change.

Key Topics

• Student-run learning environments and Studio E
• Applied learning and workforce preparation
• The evolution from LDS Business College to Ensign College
• The influence of prophetic vision and institutional mission
• Building strong partnerships with industry
• Practitioner faculty and real-world curriculum
• Hiring for mission fit and organizational alignment
• Lessons learned from institutional transformation

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

From gatekeeping to door-opening—and how to truly engage learners.

In part two, Kelvin Thompson shifts the conversation from strategy to practice—exploring what it really takes to engage learners in today’s complex educational landscape. From rethinking faculty roles as “door openers” to scaling impact across institutions, Kelvin highlights the power of human connection as the foundation of effective teaching.

We also unpack lessons from 200+ podcast episodes, the lasting effects of pandemic learning, and why humanizing education is both a moral imperative and a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways:

• Why faculty should move from gatekeepers to facilitators of access
• The importance of students feeling “seen” in the learning experience
• How to scale teaching and learning support beyond the “usual suspects”
• Why technology works best as an amplifier of human connection

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education