The Plexuss Presidential Podcast

Dr. JP Novin welcomes President Matt Thompson to the podcast and highlights Thompson’s significant achievements at Kansas Wesleyan University. President Matt Thompson discusses the transformative impact of AI on future employment, higher education, and curriculum—emphasizing the need to return to liberal arts education and strengthen foundational K–12 skills. He also shares how Kansas Wesleyan is proactively integrating AI into its operations and teaching methodologies to prepare students and staff for an AI-driven world.

JP Novin welcomes Dr. Brendan Kelly to the podcast, where President Kelly explains the ASU System’s mandate to operate as an ecosystem—focused on efficiency and value creation for students, employers, and the state of Arkansas. President Kelly views AI as a tool for faster learning and problem-solving, not a replacement for human capabilities. He emphasizes that education should prepare students with versatile skills for future careers, acknowledging that AI is already disrupting entry-level jobs and fields like finance and engineering. Together, they explore the ASU System’s approach to aligning with industry needs, the rapid adoption of AI in boardrooms, and the evolving regulatory landscape and academic programs.

The guest of Season 3, Episode 8 is Dr. Mohammed Abousalem, president of Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). In this conversation, Dr. Abousalem discusses how KGI is reimagining education at the intersection of AI, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship. As a leader in global innovation and a key voice in California’s life sciences ecosystem, he shares how KGI is preparing students not just for today’s workforce, but for the rapidly evolving challenges of tomorrow—by blending cutting-edge science with a bold new learning model.

President Matthew Draud and Dr. JP Novin explore AI’s transformative impact on the workforce, emphasizing the need for higher education to prioritize critical thinking and ethical AI use. They discuss how regulatory compliance may slow AI adoption in certain fields, the challenges universities face in adapting curricula to keep pace with AI’s rapid development, and the potential for AI to reshape degree granting and accreditation. Key topics include AI’s effects on specific industries, understanding the limitations of AI models, strategies to prepare students for future careers, and the broader societal implications of AI-driven job displacement.

In Episode 6 of Season 3, Dr. Gregory Jones, President of Belmont University, explores the pervasive impact of AI across every vocation and field. He emphasizes the importance of viewing AI as a tool to enhance humanity and highlights the need to equip students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts to prepare them for the future of work.
President Jones discusses Belmont University’s current strategies, including the Belmont Data and AI Collaborative, and the university’s commitment to ethical leadership in an era of rapid technological advancement. He also notes Nashville’s strong economic ecosystem as a catalyst for AI and data center growth.
Addressing barriers to AI adoption—particularly in regulated industries—Dr. Jones advocates for more nimble intellectual property regulation and calls for a transformation in degree-granting models, emphasizing the importance of perpetual learning and competency-based education.

Our guest for Season 3, Episode 5 is Tarek M. Sobh, Ph.D., President of Lawrence Technological University. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing the workforce, urging lifelong learning and foundational skills as traditional roles and educational applications evolve. Dr. Sobh emphasizes the unique opportunity of technological universities like Lawrence Tech to prep students for a tech-driven economy and advocates for stronger ties between industry and education to deliver work-ready graduates. He also highlights the critical importance of early STEM engagement and inclusive access in meeting the growing demand for tech professionals—and predicts significant transformation in future educational models.

Our guest for Season 3, Episode 4 of the Plexuss Presidential Podcast is Robyn Hannigan, Ph.D., President of Ursinus College. She shares how AI is set to profoundly impact every aspect of work—not by replacing jobs, but by augmenting them—and emphasizes the essential role of a liberal arts education in preparing students for that future. President Hannigan highlights Ursinus College’s holistic approach, including the Apex program and Common Intellectual Experience, both of which integrate AI ethics and career readiness. She also addresses the regulatory challenges surrounding AI and the important role philosophy majors can play in shaping ethical frameworks. Ursinus stands out by connecting first-year students with career coaches and exposing them to diverse career pathways from day one.

Episode 3 welcomes President Brian Hemphill of Old Dominion University to explore how AI is reshaping higher education—from the classroom to the workplace. President Hemphill discusses ODU’s innovative initiatives, including the Monarch Mind AI platform, AI-integrated general education, specialized certificate programs, and the university’s centennial cluster initiative to recruit AI-focused faculty. Led by the Division of Digital Transformation and Technology under Vice President Nina Rodriguez Gonzer, these efforts reflect ODU’s commitment to preparing students for the future through a competency-based, innovation-driven approach.

William R. Kennedy, President of Andrew College, joins JP Novin to discuss the college’s history, its business-oriented approach to higher education, and the accelerating impact of AI on the workforce. They explore how institutions like Andrew College are adapting—examining strategies for AI integration, the evolving role of the humanities, potential shifts in curriculum and degree structures, and the value of balancing in-person and hybrid learning.

JP Novin welcomed President Thom Chesney to discuss the impact of AI on higher education and the future workforce. Thom Chesney shared insights on Southwestern College's mission and their approach to integrating AI awareness into curricula, emphasizing engagement and exploration of AI as a tool to augment human roles across various fields, from clinical processes to administrative tasks. Discussions also covered strategies for student career readiness, the board's perspective on AI, potential barriers to AI adoption, the impact on academic programs and degree structures, and a vision for future-facing, partnership-based learning.

This season, we're exploring how AI is transforming education, leadership, and the future of the workforce.

Dr. Greg Jones, President, Belmont University, joins Brad Johnson

Dr. Diane Lovell, President, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Kenneth R. Evans, President, Oklahoma City University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Michael Frandsen, President, Wittenberg University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Rosemary Thomas, President, Chowan University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Douglas Mann, President, Bryan College, joins Brad Johnson.

Suzy Siegle & Tom Petz, President & CEO / Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Walsh College, join Brad Johnson.

Jose Marie Griffiths, President, Dakota State University, joins Brad Johnson.

Roger Hughes, President, Doane University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Kathryn Morris, President, St. Lawrence University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Gene Fant Jr., President, North Greenville University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Tiffany Franks, President, Averett University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Emily Messer, President, Texas Wesleyan University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Jesse Peters, President, Western Oregon University, joins Brad Johnson.

Andy Armacost, President, University of North Dakota, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Dondi Costin, President, Liberty University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Kent Trachte, President, Lycoming College, joins Brad Johnson.

Jennifer Cowley, President of the University of Texas at Arlington, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Daniel Wubah, President, Millersville University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Lynn Priddy, President of Claremont Lincoln University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Jeff Abernathy, President, Alma College, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald, President, Alvernia University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper, President, Springfield College, joins Brad Johnson.

Dean Collins, President, Point University, joins Brad Johnson

Dr. Barbara McMillan, President, Blue Mountain Christian University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Thomas Burns & Brian Hazlett, President & Vice President of Enrollment Management, York College of Pennsylvania, join Brad Johnson.

Andrew T. Hsu, President, College of Charleston, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Debra Schwinn, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University, joins Brad Johnson.

Jeff Morin, President, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design joins, Brad Johnson.

Dr. Maurice Scherrens, President, Newberry College, joins Brad Johnson.

Jim Collins, President, Loras College, joins Brad Johnson!

Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University, joins Brad Johnson.

Deanne D'Emilio, President, Gwynedd Mercy University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Albert Mosley, President of Morningside University, joins Brad Johnson.

Dr. Brian Ralph, President, William Peace University, joins Brad Johnson.

Ronald Matthews, President, Eastern University, joins Brad Johnson!

Chris Brussalis, President, Point Park University, joins Brad Johnson!

John Jackson, President, Jessup University, joins Brad Johnson.

Timothy Pinnow, President, Finlandia University, joins Brad Johnson.