In a conversation with MindMax CEO Lee Maxey, Vickie Cook, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Retention Management at the University of Illinois Springfield, shares her insights on navigating budget constraints, leveraging AI in education, and the critical role of microcredentials in addressing current challenges. 

Dr. Cook emphasizes the need for universities to “tell their story” in ways that resonate with legislators, communities, and students, advocating for breaking free from legacy practices and innovating despite resource limitations.

She believes AI is a transformative force, stating, “We spend way too much time talking about [how] you can use AI to cheat. Let’s move past it and start teaching our students how to utilize AI as a thought partner.” She highlights the importance of helping students understand how to integrate AI and human judgment effectively.

Watch the full conversation.

Participants:

– Lee Maxey, CEO, MindMax 
– Vickie Cook, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Retention Management, University of Illinois Springfield

Core Themes:

– The impact of budget constraints on innovation in higher education.

– The growing importance of microcredentials for today’s learners.

– Breaking free from legacy practices to embrace innovation.

– AI as a thought partner and game-changer in education.

Key Concepts Covered:

– Higher education reform, emphasizing the need to advocate for students and highlighting the economic and societal value of education.

– Telling impactful stories to legislators and stakeholders, stressing the importance of communicating universities’ missions in a way that resonates.

– Tailoring resources to institutional missions, with a focus on staying true to each university’s mission while managing portfolios effectively.

– AI as a transformative tool for enhancing learning and supporting students.

– Addressing the needs of students with some college and no degree, focusing on microcredentials as a pathway to help these students achieve their goals.

– How microcredentials provide flexible opportunities for career advancement.

– Connecting education to workforce demands, noting the importance of collaborating with employers to design meaningful credentials.

– Overcoming complacency in higher education, which involves breaking free from legacy practices to foster continuous innovation.