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.
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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.