AI Strategy · Learning Analytics · Higher Education
Higher education AI strategist bridging technical implementation with institutional governance. 25+ years transforming how universities teach, learn, and make decisions with technology.
Team & Thought Leadership
2020 – Present
Associate Director, Learning Technologies & Instructional Innovation
University of Illinois Chicago
Leading digital learning infrastructure for 34,000+ students across 16 colleges. Driving AI integration strategy, Canvas LMS migration, Ellucian ILP implementation, and student success analytics.
Faculty Fellow, Teaching with AI Technology
Mentoring faculty in AI pedagogy. Developing practical frameworks for ethical AI implementation. Research on AI policy adoption across 1,187 syllabi.
Publications
The Learn-It-All Educator: A Guidebook for Training Brains, Not Replacing Them
Zenodo. ISBN: 979-8249216061. CC BY 4.0
AI-Powered Student Support and Advising in Online Higher Education
In K. S. Ives, M. Cini, & R. Schroeder (Eds.), AI Applications in Online Higher Education Administration (Ch. 8). Routledge.
Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light: What 1,187 Faculty Decided About AI in Their Classrooms
Community College Journal, 96(4). AACC.
How AI Is Exploding Our Illusions of Rigor
Inside Higher Ed — Opinion essay
English 2.0: AI-Driven Language Transformation
EDUCAUSE Review
The AI Revolution in Chess and Its Impact on Education
EdTech Digest
AI Instructional Framework: A Comprehensive Approach to Learning with AI
University of Illinois Chicago
A Framework for Student Success Analytics
EDUCAUSE — Co-authored with Almond-Dannenbring, Easter, Feng, Guarcello, Ham, et al.
AI and Digital Education Innovations for Teacher Development (Chapters 2–3)
UNESCO / Shanghai Open University
Discrimination in a Sea of Data: Ethical Implications of Student Success Analytics
EDUCAUSE Review — Co-authored with Guarcello, Feng, Panahi, Ham
Patterns in Faculty Learning Management System Use
TechTrends — Peer-reviewed
Gamification Strategies in a Hybrid Exemplary College Course
International Journal of Educational Technology, 4(3), 1–16
Application of Gamification in a College STEM Introductory Course
Doctoral dissertation — ERIC: ED574876
S.A.F.E. by Design: Policy Recommendations for AI Companions in Education
EDSAFE AI Alliance — Contributor
2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Data Analytics Edition
EDUCAUSE — Expert panelist
Higher Education Generative AI Readiness Assessment
EDUCAUSE & AWS — Contributor
2023 EDUCAUSE Horizon Action Plan: Generative AI
EDUCAUSE — Expert panelist
Envisioning How Data-Informed Colleges Will Redefine the Student Experience
Anthology Education & Research Center — Co-authored with Carpenter, Hermann, Heiser
Recognition
2024
Catalyst Impact Award for Contributions to AI Leadership
Anthology — Orlando, FL
Recognizing significant impact in AI thought leadership and product strategy for the global eLearning community.
2022
Award of Merit
University of Illinois Chicago
University-wide recognition for creativity in problem-solving, leadership, and advancing inclusive, data-informed student success strategies.
2021
Catalyst Award for Leading Change
Enterprise transformation and change management during COVID-19 transition across diverse colleges. UIC team achieved 548% increase in LMS usage.
2019
Catalyst Award in Optimizing Student Experience
Recognizing educational innovations that markedly improved the total learner experience at Grand Valley State University.
2018
Kroner Cup — Amazon AI Hackathon (1st Place)
Built Course Sentiment Stream using Amazon Comprehend NLP to detect emotional distress in student writing across discussion forums and assignments.
2017
Exemplary Course Award & MVP
Recognized for CIS150 Introduction to Computing course design and as an expert resource in educational technology.
2016
Most Inclusive Classroom Award
Pedagogy, content, and classroom technology enabling all students to learn without complex accommodations.
2011
Catalyst Award for Innovative Development
Outstanding developer contributions through open-source initiatives including BbStats and LoginAs, among the top 5 OSCELOT community downloads.
Speaking & Media
TEDxGVSU — "Immersive Feedback Environments for Learning and Growth"
The Next Frontier in Education: Agentic AI and the Future of Student Support
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference
AI in Teaching and Learning — Opening Keynote
Digital Learning Day, South Texas College
AI for Accessibility
AI in Higher Education Symposium — Sydney, Australia
Bicycle for the Mind: AI for Accessibility
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference, San Antonio
Challenges and Opportunities of Generative AI — Closing Keynote
Digital Teaching Symposium
Generative AI and Its Future @ UIC — Expert Panel
UIC Leadership Retreat
Cultivating Innovation Using Generative AI
PRODEESE HOPER — Brazil
Chronicle of Higher Education · 2024
OpenStax / Rice University · 2024
Microsoft Education Blog · 2023
University of Illinois Chicago · 2023
Grand Valley Magazine · 2017
Governance & Advisory
Chair, EDUCAUSE Student Success Analytics Steering Committee
2020 – Present · Directing focus on AI-driven analytics and ethical data use
Advisory Council Member, EDSAFE AI Alliance
AI policy and governance with EdTech industry and legislative partners; SAFE AI Companions Task Force
Expert Panelist, EDUCAUSE Horizon Report
2023 Generative AI Action Plan · 2025 Data Analytics Edition
EDUCAUSE & AWS AI Readiness Assessment
2025 · Contributor to institutional self-assessment tool for generative AI preparedness
EdTech AI Advisory Committee
Strategic direction for AI product development including the first major LMS with generative AI
Community Leadership Circle, EdTech Global Governance Board
2020, 2023 · Leading and influencing initiatives for the global education community
Standard-Setting Advisor, College Board
2019 · Angoff methodology for CLEP Information Systems exam cut scores
U.S. Patent 10,026,331 · Filed July 2018
Educational Gamification System and Gameful Teaching Process
Systems and methods for designing student experience through experience points, achievement badges, and behavioral reinforcement mechanisms.
AI & Emerging Technology
Leadership & Teaching
Engineering & Development