About the Episode
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About the Episode:
In this episode of Mastering the Next, recorded live from the ASU+GSV AI Show, host Ray chats with Dr. Bryan Aylward, Associate Vice President of Academic Innovation, Operations, and Technology at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). Together, they dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming faculty recruitment, onboarding, and support in online education. From AI-powered teaching assistants to predictive analytics for faculty performance, Dr. Aylward shares how UAGC is integrating AI across academic operations to improve both faculty and student outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- AI technologies are streamlining faculty recruitment by analyzing alignment with institutional values and qualifications.
- AI-powered onboarding tools provide personalized, asynchronous support tailored to adjunct and full-time faculty needs.
- Predictive analytics help track and improve faculty performance using student feedback and teaching outcomes.
- Tools like Signals support student engagement and retention by helping faculty proactively identify and assist struggling students.
- AI serves as the connective tissue across academic departments, eliminating data silos and improving cross-functional decision-making.
How is AI transforming faculty recruitment and onboarding?
Dr. Aylward shares that UAGC is leveraging AI to revolutionize each stage of the faculty lifecycle—from recruitment to professional development. AI systems now analyze applicant data not just for skills, but for alignment with UAGC’s student-centered culture of care. Once hired, faculty engage in a "New Faculty Experience" (NFE) that utilizes chatbots and adaptive learning platforms to create a personalized onboarding process—especially critical for adjuncts working asynchronously.
What role does AI play in faculty professional development?
Professional development is another area where AI shines. Dr. Aylward notes that AI can surface personalized learning pathways based on student feedback and faculty performance metrics. This enables a continuous improvement loop where instructors receive real-time, relevant training. The result? Faculty are more equipped to support students and adapt to the fast-evolving digital learning environment.
How is UAGC using data analytics to measure faculty success?
UAGC is sitting on what Dr. Aylward calls a “gold mine of data,” with systems like HRIS, LMS, SIS, and faculty management tools capturing valuable insights. The goal is to move beyond siloed Power BI dashboards toward a centralized AI-powered platform that can answer real-time queries and generate actionable insights on teaching effectiveness, student progression, and retention metrics.
What does faculty support look like in an asynchronous environment?
Supporting faculty—especially adjuncts working nontraditional hours—requires 24/7 tools and assistance. UAGC uses Signals, an AI system that monitors student engagement and provides faculty with pre-scripted communication prompts based on behavioral data. This helps educators re-engage students proactively, improving both faculty experience and learner outcomes in asynchronous settings.
How can AI help eliminate silos across academic departments?
Dr. Aylward emphasizes that silos are the enemy of progress. AI can function as the "connective tissue" linking departmental functions—from course design to staffing and scheduling. At UAGC, AI helps prioritize course assignments for high-performing faculty and ensures technology investments are guided by real-time engagement data.
What's the future of AI for personalization in education?
The future, according to Dr. Aylward, is personalization at scale. With AI-powered adaptive learning tools, faculty can tailor instruction to meet diverse learning needs, styles, and performance levels. These tools can even suggest content adjustments based on student engagement and comprehension—enhancing, not replacing, faculty pedagogy.
Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include The EduData Podcast and Generation AI.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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