Book Club Session 6 - Meeting Announcement and Summary

UCI and Tom discussed the importance of sharing information about their university's initiatives and projects, such as the Udemy and Unison programs, to ensure more people are aware of them. They also discussed the upcoming book club, with the first book being "Remaking Higher Education for a Digital World" by Michael Smith. The release of Maps Track 2 was announced for August 26th, with the third component to follow shortly after. UCI encouraged anyone with questions or requests for demonstrations to reach out.

Tom Andreola, the Vice Chancellor for Information, Technology, and Data, and Chief Digital Officer at UCI, introduced the first iteration of the book club at UCI. He emphasized the importance of active participation, curiosity, and challenging established ways of thinking within the group. The group discussed their takeaways from the previous session with author Michael Smith, with a focus on utilizing previous research and industry experience. Tom expressed his support for the proposed adjustments to the book club, including the introduction of a coordinator and half of the sessions being conducted in person. He also highlighted his concerns about the future of higher education and the need for collective conversation and individual decision-making in response to market forces and new technologies.

Tom discussed the criticisms of higher education from external sources and the need for a response. He emphasized the importance of considering these criticisms and staying the course if it's believed to be the right thing. He also highlighted the shift towards more active learning strategies and the increased use of online education due to the pandemic. Tom stressed the importance of personalization in higher education, acknowledging that each student has a unique journey. He also mentioned the need to understand students better through data and to use technology to support them. Finally, he introduced the concept of 'compass', a student success program aimed at changing the way they think to achieve better outcomes.

Tom emphasized the importance of creating an environment that fosters curiosity, dissatisfaction with the status quo, and encourages individuals to take action. He highlighted the value of universities as places for experimentation due to their decentralized structures. Tom also discussed the need to identify what's working and ensure it is shared and adopted more broadly. He used the example of AI to illustrate this point, stressing the importance of providing everyone with a safe on-ramp to understand and use these new tools. Finally, he noted the challenge of scaling successful initiatives in higher education, describing it as a person-to-person selling process.

Tom and UCI discussed the importance of peer-to-peer learning and the value of accommodating students' needs. UCI shared their personal experience as a working, single mother who was able to complete her master's degree due to the flexibility offered by her university. Tom highlighted the need for institutions to adapt to different learning styles and preferences, referencing a presentation by Maria Anguiano from ASU. He emphasized that institutions should not exclude students based on their preferred learning method or profile, but instead offer a variety of options to ensure inclusivity and social mobility.

Tom discussed the evolution of the education system since the Truman report in the 1950s, emphasizing the need for increased access and a more inclusive approach. He highlighted the potential of technology, such as generative AI and virtual reality, to enhance the learning experience and improve accessibility. He also stressed the importance of rethinking the institution's approach to education and the need for guidance to ensure students use these new tools appropriately. He mentioned ongoing experimentation with various technologies to support a new pedagogical approach.

Tom and Tawana led a discussion about the importance of challenging the status quo and preparing for future changes in higher education. Tawana, who is working on her doctorate in instructional design, emphasized the need to consider the future needs of a more diverse and technologically-savvy student population. Tom concurred, highlighting the rapid pace of change brought about by the internet and the potential impact of AI, and suggesting that the university should engage with middle school students to better understand their future expectations. Both agreed on the necessity of introspection to ensure the university is meeting the needs of its changing student body.

Tom and UCI discussed the importance of teaching students how to learn and utilize resources in the 21st century. UCI emphasized the need for flexibility and fluidity in higher education due to rapid technological changes. Tom shared a slide from a leadership retreat, highlighting concerns about underemployment rates and the societal cost of underemployment. He suggested that graduation rates should no longer be the sole measure of success and that more attention should be paid to where students end up after graduation and the type of jobs they secure.

Tom emphasized the need for large institutions to pay attention to broader society's changing confidence and incorporate these insights into their strategies. He suggested that such institutions should view themselves as course correctors, not completely overhaul their systems. He also highlighted the danger of becoming complacent and compared the industry to a boiling frog. Tom pointed out the emergence of disruptive options like Southern New Hampshire Universities and Western Governors, and the potential impact of AI-driven innovations. He stressed the importance of engaging faculty and shared governance in addressing these trends and the challenge of bringing innovations to scale.

Tom emphasized the importance of rediscovering the team's mission and being open to challenging their current approaches. He encouraged the team to take away key insights from the book they discussed and apply them in their work. UCI then brought up the topic of providing students with employable skills while maintaining the academic culture. Tom shared a story about a colleague's suggestion to focus on "1st generation professionals," emphasizing the importance of teaching students the skills and competencies needed for the workplace. Both agreed on the importance of social mobility and creating opportunities for students to build a life better than their parents.

Tom emphasized the importance of elevating messages to drive institutional change and highlighted the need to focus on the end goal of preparing students for success. UCI discussed their collaboration with the Office of Educational and Community Partnerships to support students from elementary school through college, including potential AI initiatives. Tom shared that a wider conversation about employment post-graduation was forthcoming, involving career services directors from all 10 campuses. UCI thanked all participants and promised to share the meeting's details and slides for future reference.