AFIT Higher Ed (Alliance for Innovation & Transformation)

?? We love celebrating community collaborations at AFIT! Our member, Dave Sherwood, CEO & Co-Founder of BibliU, is hosting a terrific new podcast, Campus Convos, where he explores #innovation and #edtech. Don’t miss Episode 6, featuring a thought-provoking conversation with our Executive Director, Erika Liodice. ??? #Innovation #EdTech #CampusConvos #AFITCommunity

?? We are delighted to welcome Kathy Ulibarri to our collaborative community of innovators. Kathy is the CEO of the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS), a nonprofit organization in Albuquerque, New Mexico. CHESS is the first collective in the nation where institutions have voluntarily united to share both decision-making and technology. Comprised of six independently governed colleges in New Mexico, CHESS members recently implemented Workday technologies for Finance, Human Resources, and Payroll across their member colleges. Kathy's impressive career spans leadership positions in higher education finance and operations, strategic planning, and institutional research, including significant roles at Central New Mexico Community College and the New Mexico Higher Education Department.? She joined AFIT to explore ways to transform CHESS’s member colleges so they can better share tools and talent, thus reallocating resources to student support. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education institutions, coupled with her commitment to positive change, makes her a valuable addition to the AFIT community.? We warmly welcome Kathy and look forward to her contributions.?

Exciting transformations are happening in higher education bookstores! ?? Several AFIT members were recently celebrated by University Business for their innovative approach to getting course materials into students' hands faster and more affordably than ever. Congratulations to Dr. Roger Stanford and the team at Western Technical College - Company, Daniel Phelan, Ph.D. and the Jackson College team, and Dave Sherwood and the BibliU team! Your commitment to supporting student success through streamlined access to course materials is inspiring. ?? #HigherEd #Innovation #StudentSuccess Article by Alcino N. Donadel: https://lnkd.in/ecbG4wMn

?? We are delighted to welcome Todd Hernandez, president and CEO of Northwest State Community College (NSCC) in Archbold, OH to our collaborative community of innovators.?? Before taking the helm as president in April 2021, Todd served NSCC in the roles of executive vice president and vice president for innovation, where he oversaw workforce development and information technology. Prior to his academic career, Todd worked for Automatic Feed Company in various positions, culminating as VP of Product Development and, earlier, served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy.? Todd’s academic achievements include a Doctorate in Information Technology from Walden University, a Master's in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from DeVry Institutes of Technology. Since 2018, NSCC has transformed from an operations-focused institution to a student-centered, innovation-driven model. Key changes include a student-centric focus, performance-based rewards, and a strategic mindset, positioning them for future growth.?

If you need a little inspiration today, listen to this episode of The EdUp Experience — featuring AFIT member James Limbaugh, president of West Los Angeles College — to hear how Jim and his team are transforming lives and saving the planet, one student at a time. ??

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Ann Bolman, president of Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, SD. Ann was one of our newest AFIT members. Our deepest condolences go out to Dr. Bolman's family, friends, and the entire Western Dakota Technical College community. You can read her full obituary here: https://lnkd.in/e-Q-VFeZ Please join us in keeping her loved ones in your thoughts.?

Happy to share this helpful blueprint for AI integration by AFIT thought leader Reetika Dhawan and Lee Lambert.

?? We're excited to welcome Tiffany Hernandez, president of Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona to our collaborative community of innovators. Tiffany was a guest at this year’s Summer Institute and her experience inspired her to join our Alliance.? Tiffany began her tenure as president of Glendale Community College in July of 2023. Prior to this appointment, she served as Vice President for Student Success at San Antonio College, where she led the successful accreditation process for the college's first baccalaureate degree program, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.? Her collaborative leadership also contributed to San Antonio College receiving the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and the Seal of Exceléncia from Exceléncia in Education. Tiffany's membership application emphasized Glendale's commitment to a future-oriented approach to education. The college is actively cultivating a culture of innovation and implementing organizational changes to ensure that its educational offerings remain responsive to the demands of a dynamic world.?

?? We're pleased to welcome Mark M., CEO and co-founder of Ivy.ai, as our newest corporate member. Mark is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, recognized for his pioneering work in conversational AI-powered chatbot solutions for higher education. Under his leadership, Ivy.ai has emerged as the leading provider of advanced AI-powered tools that drive organizational efficiency, streamline support, and optimize communication. Inc. 5000 has recognized Ivy.ai for four consecutive years as one of America's fastest-growing private companies. By developing cutting-edge technologies like IvyQuantum, the first generative AI virtual assistant purpose-built for higher ed, Ivy.ai has set a new standard for excellence in leveraging AI to enhance performance and transformation. Sharon Harrison, senior vice president of marketing at Ivy.ai, will serve as the company’s AFIT Rep. ?“We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Sharon, and the Ivy.ai team to the AFIT community,” said AFIT executive director Erika Liodice. “Their pioneering work in conversational AI and their dedication to enhancing institutional performance align perfectly with our mission at AFIT. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and innovative approaches they will bring as we collaborate to shape the future of higher education.”??

?? Please join us in welcoming Ann Bolman, President of Western Dakota Technical College (WDT), in Rapid City, South Dakota, as a new AFIT member. Ann has led WDT for the past nine years and is known as a passionate supporter of technical colleges and technical education. She is deeply committed to the College’s mission of preparing students to become highly-skilled professionals through accessible, career-focused programs to improve their lives, while adapting to community workforce needs and positively impacting the economy. Ann and her team have implemented innovative teaching practices, including the use of virtual reality (VR) and simulation technology. Through her AFIT membership, Ann is interested in?supporting WDT’s transformation to better serve a large rural area with technical and health education. We're excited to be part of WDT's innovation journey as they help shape the future of higher education.?