Much of the discussion surrounding higher education and generative artificial intelligence (genAI) focuses on scaling up AI research and adapting teaching methods in the face of tools such as ChatGPT. But what of genAI’s impact on returning adult and post-traditional students? What of its impact on career counseling and other vital student services? What of pre-existing digital inequities?
Answers to these and other pressing questions must be framed collaboratively in an open dialogue between educators and employers. Gen AI and machine learning are reshaping the world of work. It is predicted that over the next five years, new career paths will emerge, many existing paths will be reshaped, and some will end because of AI adoption and innovation.
This panel will offer suggestions to moving such a dialogue forward as we all work to better serve all of our students in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Moderator:
William J. McKinney, PhD, Senior Director of Higher Education Initiatives, CAEL
McKinney is a nationally recognized teacher, scholar, and academic leader, and has extensive experience in strategic enrollment management, student success, community and civic engagement, strategic planning, curriculum development, and assessment, alumni relations, and fundraising. In all of his leadership positions, he has prioritized the public purpose of higher education by building strong relationships between educators, elected officials, business leaders, and employers.
Panelists:
Krystal Rawls, PhD, Director, Workforce Integration Network, California State University-Dominguez Hills
Rawls' innovative work with the Workforce Integration Network (WIN) has drawn attention to California State University-Dominguez Hills, leading to frequent invitations for her to speak to fellow educators at conferences across the globe. Her proudest contribution to the campus is her involvement with the Open Skills Network Open Recognition Workgroup, which focuses on identifying the skills and strengths of first-generation and exploring students. 'I love showing students they have more skills than they think they have,' she says.
Andrew (AJ) Beechko, California State University, San Bernardino
AJ began teaching as an adjunct professor at CSUSB in the fall of 2013. He has taught classes in entrepreneurship law, business law, employment law, business negotiations, business law and society, and communications. His objective is to bring personal applications of legal principles into the classroom. AJ Beechko is a corporate attorney and court appointed counsel/ litigator at Brown White & Osborn, LLP in Redlands, California.
Patrick Dempsey, Loyola University, Maryland
Patrick is the Director of the Office of Digital Teaching & Learning at Loyola University Maryland. He has an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, an M.B.A. in Organizational Management, an M.Div. in Professional Ministries, and M.A. in Pastoral Counseling. He has published and presented widely on all aspects of instructional design, the role of AI in education, communities of inquiry and transformative learning, and quality assurance across the curriculum. He is the author of Creating Transformative Online Communities in Higher Education (2021) and co-author of the chapter: Trauma Informed Course Design: Using neurobiological frameworks to understand the impacts of trauma and remove barriers to learning (2023).
John Barnshaw, Managing Director of STRATA9
John Barnshaw is the Managing Director of STRATA9, a leader in the education and non-profit consulting space where he serves as the Managing Director of College Promise. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Barnshaw has developed extensive expertise in higher education and management consulting, partnering with more than 1,000 colleges and universities and more than 200 corporate and organizational partners. His insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, NPR, Bloomberg News, Sports Illustrated, The Job, Ed Surge, Daily Tar Heel and Trusteeship.
.png?width=225&height=225&name=John%20(1).png)