The Higher Ed Geek Podcast Episode #316: From Chaos to Clarity - AI’s Role in Higher Ed Operations
Feb 11, 2026
Kelly Rogan, COO at Ellucian with decades in cloud transformation and product delivery. She explores AI adoption in 2026 and how data can power student pathways. They discuss timely, human-centered advising and the role of executive dashboards and governance. Kelly urges institutions to modernize, connect data, and responsibly adopt AI using trusted partners.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Shift From Resistance To Necessity
- AI adoption moved from resistance to necessary acceleration across teaching, learning, and operations.
- Institutions must infuse AI into curriculum so graduates have relevant workforce skills.
Personal View From A Parent's Frustration
- Kelly describes watching her college-age children navigate course choices through fragmented communications.
- She used that personal example to show students lack accessible data for simple what-if planning.
Optimize Ops To Improve Student Services
- Back-end process optimization unlocks better student-facing services like advising and degree planning.
- Automating routine work frees advisors to deliver higher-value, personalized guidance.