The AI Workforce for Higher Ed is Here |

Talk to a Bolt Agent
EP
345
September 2, 2026
Episode #345: Building a Mission-Driven Culture of Innovation

Building a Mission-Driven Culture of Innovation

Or listen on:

About the Episode

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Brooke Elliott, Dean of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois to the show this week.

Dean Elliott discusses how a mission-driven culture, intentional innovation, and a commitment to expanding access have helped Gies grow its impact while preparing students for an increasingly dynamic workforce. Rather than chasing trends, Dean Elliott makes the case for building durable systems that empower faculty, strengthen student outcomes, and ensure institutions remain adaptable while staying true to their core mission.

People in this episode

Host

Dustin Ramsdell is a leading content creator and influencer in the Higher EdTech space, and the host of Higher Ed Geek.

Interviewee

Dr. Brooke Elliott

Dean of Gies College of Business at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Other episodes

Ep. 77: Making Graphics that Work for Social AudiencesPlay Button
Ep. 77: Making Graphics that Work for Social Audiences

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Devon Maloney, Associate Director of Digital Marketing at MIT Sloan School of Management, to get insights into how teams can craft eye-catching, value-driven graphics and quote cards tailored for on-platform engagement on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 4Play Button
Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 4

In episode four of What Do We Really Need?, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Nathan Thornton, Ologie’s Senior Vice President of Creative, about making marketing more engaging. Nathan also designs board games, where people can walk away the moment they stop enjoying themselves. He shares how that experience shapes his approach to earning attention and giving students a reason to take the next step.

Episode 115: The Internet Will Have Feelings About ThisPlay Button
Episode 115: The Internet Will Have Feelings About This

Jaime speaks with Eddie Francis, founder of Edify Ventures, to explore how higher education leaders can navigate sensitive policy changes without triggering public backlash.

Episode #351: AI as a Coach, Not an Answer MachinePlay Button
Episode #351: AI as a Coach, Not an Answer Machine

Dr. Marco Krcatovich of Cengage discusses the risks of cognitive offloading, why AI should function more like a coach than an answer machine, and how institutions can build better policies and practices around its use.

Bonus: Instructional Resilience in the Age of AIPlay Button
Bonus: Instructional Resilience in the Age of AI

Kim Arnold, Director of the Teaching and Learning Community Program at EDUCAUSE, discusses the shift from instructional continuity to instructional resilience and why institutions need to build the capacity to maintain quality learning through disruptions ranging from cyberattacks to rapid advances in AI. 

Weekly ideas that make you smarter

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Subscribe
cancel

Search podcasts, blog posts, people