Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #360: Bridget Burns – Breaking the Higher Ed Hunger Games (Part Two)
Release Date: May 10, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Dr. Bridget Burns, University Innovation Alliance
1. Introduction to Dr. Bridget Burns and Her Mission
In episode #360 of the "Chief Change Officer" podcast, host Vince Chan welcomes Dr. Bridget Burns from the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). Dr. Burns brings extensive experience in navigating the evolving landscape of higher education, particularly focusing on improving graduation outcomes for students from low-income families. Their conversation delves into transformative strategies, collaborative efforts among educational institutions, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia.
2. Shifting Paradigms: From Competition to Collaboration
Dr. Burns shares her journey of uniting 11 universities to transition from a competitive stance to a collaborative approach. This paradigm shift aims to enhance student success by pooling resources and knowledge rather than racing to be the first to adopt new technologies or methodologies.
Dr. Bridget Burns [00:14]: “We have to find a way that we are going to collaborate in an effort to make our use of AI safe, effective, efficient, and trustworthy... it’s about personalized learning at scale.”
This collaboration is crucial for addressing sector-wide challenges, such as ensuring personalized learning and maintaining the relevance of educational content in the face of rapid technological advancements.
3. Overcoming Resistance to Change: Empathy, Curiosity, and Ownership
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the human elements that hinder or facilitate change within institutions. Dr. Burns emphasizes the importance of empathy, curiosity, and ownership in driving successful transformation.
Vince Chen [03:48]: “Empathy, curiosity, and ownership are crucial for change... If the outcome isn't as good as expected, how can we work together to make it better?”
Dr. Bridget Burns [05:44]: “You gotta tap in. Curiosity is gonna be your best friend... Remember why you started doing this work?”
Dr. Burns highlights that resistance often stems from past negative experiences with poorly managed changes. By fostering a culture where individuals feel valued and responsible for outcomes, institutions can mitigate resistance and promote collective buy-in.
4. Integrating AI in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges
The conversation shifts to the burgeoning role of AI in higher education. Dr. Burns outlines both the potential benefits and the obstacles institutions face in adopting AI technologies.
Vince Chen [07:10]: “There's a lot of hope for its potential in education. So for a change leader like you, the question isn't just about integrating AI into higher education, but how to make the best use of it.”
Dr. Burns points out that the innate competitiveness within higher education often leads to isolated efforts in AI integration, resulting in inefficient use of resources and missed opportunities for collaborative innovation. She stresses the need for institutions to work together to address shared challenges such as personalized learning, ethical use of AI, and updating curricula to keep pace with workforce demands.
Dr. Bridget Burns: “There are same problems, like personalized learning at scale... how do you use it ethically...”
5. Enhancing Student Outcomes: From Graduation to Employment
A critical focus of the episode is the transition from education to employment. Dr. Burns discusses UIA's initiatives aimed at improving life outcomes for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Vince Chen [12:21]: “Outcome for UIA or any school isn't just about graduation. It's about helping students achieve better life outcomes through education.”
Dr. Burns details a multi-year initiative in partnership with STRADA Education Network to redesign the college-to-career pipeline using design thinking. This involved process mapping, empathy sprints with students, and developing prototype models for career services embedded directly within the classroom.
Dr. Bridget Burns [13:59]: “We got seven universities together to... reimagine that whole college to career handoff around the needs of students.”
The initiative has led to significant progress, with UIA surpassing its initial goal of supporting 68,000 students by reaching 150,000. The strategy includes measuring post-graduation outcomes and setting targets to enhance social mobility and career readiness.
6. Future Goals and Vision for Higher Education
Looking ahead, Dr. Burns outlines UIA's future plans, emphasizing the need for a national and state-level strategy to align higher education with workforce demands. She advocates for universities to act as talent activators, partnering closely with workforce development entities to ensure that students are equipped with relevant skills from day one.
Dr. Bridget Burns: “Higher education is to take someone, no matter where they are born, what family they grew up in, to activate their talent so that they can contribute all of their potential...”
UIA aims to implement a hybrid measurement system for post-college outcomes, integrating various metrics to gauge the effectiveness of their programs and interventions.
7. Conclusion: A Call for Collective Action
The episode concludes with a shared understanding that the challenges facing higher education, particularly in AI integration and career readiness, require joint efforts. Both Vince Chan and Dr. Bridget Burns advocate for a united approach to ensure that educational institutions can effectively prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.
Vince Chen [24:01]: “If the shop is set up in the basement, the customers won't go there.”
This metaphor underscores the importance of making career services accessible and integrated within the educational experience, much like the innovative models UIA is promoting.
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration Over Competition: Uniting institutions can lead to more effective and scalable solutions in higher education.
- Human-Centric Change Management: Empathy, curiosity, and ownership are essential for overcoming resistance to change.
- Strategic AI Integration: Collaborative efforts are needed to harness AI's potential while addressing ethical and practical challenges.
- Enhanced Career Services: Embedding career readiness within the classroom can significantly improve student outcomes.
- Future-Forward Education: Aligning educational programs with workforce demands ensures that graduates are prepared for evolving job markets.
For those interested in transforming higher education and fostering meaningful change, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies from one of the field's leading innovators.
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