Engaged By Design

Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith
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Exploring innovation trends in learning, design, leadership, and change management in higher education. Experienced, successful leaders who have been there, done that, and own the t-shirt share perspectives and lessons learned from more than two decades of online learning and student success.Other Podcast Providers:Amazon: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Engaged-By-Design/B0DB9GZV7F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpiHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-engaged-by-design-283650488/Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/engaged-by-design-6102170 

  1. 20h ago

    The Rio Salado Model: How Dual Enrollment Changes Lives | Dr. EJ Anderson, Part 2

    What does it take to move dual enrollment from simply offering college classes to truly helping students build a pathway toward their future? In part two of our conversation with Dr. EJ Anderson, we look closely at the Rio Salado College dual enrollment model and the systems that have helped thousands of high school students successfully earn college credit, and, in some cases, complete an associate degree before graduating from high school. EJ explains the role of success coaches who bridge the worlds of high school and college, the importance of genuine partnerships with schools, and how national quality standards help ensure that dual enrollment courses provide authentic college-level learning. We also hear powerful stories of students whose identities and futures changed through these opportunities, including first-generation students and students pursuing career and technical education pathways. The conversation concludes with EJ’s powerful philosophy of learner engagement: don’t just tell students about the class. Help them see the dream the class can help them reach. In this episode: What makes the Rio Salado dual enrollment model distinctiveWhy success coaches serve as a bridge between high school and collegeBuilding strong school-college partnershipsNACEP standards and academic qualityHow dual enrollment can change a student’s identityCareer and technical education pathwaysTeacher shortages and policy challengesEngaging learners by connecting education to their goals and dreamsJoin us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    The Rio Salado Model: How Dual Enrollment Changes Lives | Dr. EJ Anderson, Part 2

  2. Sep 8

    Why Dual Enrollment Is Growing So Fast | Dr. EJ Anderson, Part 1

    Dual enrollment has become one of the fastest-growing areas of higher education, but building a successful program takes much more than simply offering college credit in high school. In part one of our conversation with Dr. EJ Anderson, we explore why students and parents are increasingly seeking dual enrollment opportunities, how dual enrollment differs from AP and IB, and what schools and colleges need to make these programs work at scale. EJ draws on 18 years of experience in dual enrollment to discuss the importance of qualified teachers, strong leadership, clear communication with families, adequate staffing, and student support. We also explore the challenges that arise when institutions pursue enrollment growth without investing in the infrastructure needed to serve students well. Along the way, EJ shares stories showing how dual enrollment can save students time and families money while opening new pathways into college and careers. In this episode: Why dual enrollment is growing nationallyDual enrollment compared with AP and IBThe importance of qualified high school instructorsHow leadership shapes successful programsWhat parents and students need to understandEnrollment fatigue and other barriersWhy teachers have such a powerful influence on participationThe tension between enrollment growth and program qualityJoin us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    Why Dual Enrollment Is Growing So Fast | Dr. EJ Anderson, Part 1

  3. Sep 1

    Reinventing the Bachelor's Degree | BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Part 2

    Why does a bachelor's degree require 120 credits? And what happens when an institution asks whether those credits actually represent the learning students need? In Part 2 of our conversation with Brian Ashton and Boyd Baggett, we examine the development of the three-year, 90-credit bachelor's degree offered through BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Boyd takes us behind the scenes of a process that began years before approval: changes in accreditation standards, a growing emphasis on student learning outcomes, collaboration with the College in 3 movement, and a willingness to question assumptions built into the traditional credit-hour model. But shortening a degree isn't simply a matter of removing 30 credits. Brian and Boyd explain what had to remain, what students may give up, why the model isn't right for everyone, and why clearly defined and assessed learning outcomes are essential to maintaining quality. The conversation then turns toward institutional mission, values, AI, rapid change, and what higher education leaders will need to navigate the future. In this episode: Why BYU-Idaho pursued a 90-credit bachelor's degreeHow accreditation standards created an opening for innovationWhy the Carnegie credit hour was never designed as a measure of student learningBuilding support for the three-year degreeThe enrollment response after the new degree was announcedWhy a shorter degree cannot simply mean cutting 30 creditsWhich students benefit most—and which may notWhat students give up in a more prescriptive degree pathwayEmployer and graduate-school response to the three-year degreePreserving institutional mission while redesigning curriculumNavigating AI, changing values, and a rapidly changing worldBrian and Boyd's advice for engaging learners more effectivelyThe three-year degree raises a larger question for higher education: If students can demonstrate the learning they need in less time and at lower cost, what assumptions are we willing to reconsider? Guests: Brian Ashton, President, BYU-Pathway Worldwide; Boyd Baggett, Associate Academic Vice President for Curriculum, BYU-Idaho Hosts: Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith, Engaged by Design Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    Reinventing the Bachelor's Degree | BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Part 2

  4. Aug 25

    Talent Is Everywhere. Opportunity Is Not. | BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Part 1

    What would higher education look like if it were designed from the beginning for students who need education to be affordable, flexible, relevant, and immediately useful? In Part 1 of our conversation with Brian Ashton, president of BYU-Pathway Worldwide, and Boyd Baggett, associate academic vice president for curriculum at BYU-Idaho, we explore a model now serving nearly 100,000 students around the world. Brian and Boyd explain how BYU-Pathway combines online-first design, dramatically different tuition models, student support, and job-ready stackable certificates to create pathways into meaningful work and bachelor's degrees. We also discuss how designing specifically for online education changes the economics of higher education—and how BYU-Pathway uses data, instructional design, and AI to support students at scale. Along the way, Brian shares the story of a student in Argentina whose first certificate helped launch a career that eventually led to a vice president role at JPMorgan Chase. In this episode: Why talent may be equally distributed while opportunity is notHow BYU-Pathway serves students in nearly 200 countriesDesigning for online learning rather than adapting a campus modelKeeping education affordable while maintaining qualityWhy students begin with job-ready certificates instead of general educationHow stackable certificates lead toward associate and bachelor's degreesUsing data and AI to provide better student support at scaleDesigning curriculum around changing labor-market needsPreparing students not simply to use AI, but to develop judgment and become lifelong learnersThis is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In Part 2, we explore one of BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway's most significant innovations: the three-year bachelor's degree. Guests: Brian Ashton, President, BYU-Pathway Worldwide; Boyd Baggett, Associate Academic Vice President for Curriculum, BYU-Idaho Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    Talent Is Everywhere. Opportunity Is Not. | BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Part 1

  5. Aug 18

    Building Future Cybersecurity Leaders with Dr. Ken Williams (Part 3)

    What does it take to build a nationally competitive cybersecurity program from the ground up? Dr. Ken Williams knows firsthand. In the final episode of this series, Ken shares the challenges of launching Louisiana's first fully aligned cybersecurity degree program—from curriculum design and faculty hiring to building industry partnerships and preparing students for careers with organizations like the FBI, NASA, Cisco, IBM, and Amazon Web Services. The conversation closes with Ken's deeply personal philosophy of teaching: treating every student like family while challenging them to become confident critical thinkers who are ready to solve problems the world hasn't even imagined yet. It's an inspiring conversation about leadership, service, and creating educational experiences that truly change lives. In this episode Launching Southern University's cybersecurity programBuilding a degree program from scratchHiring and developing cybersecurity facultyCreating partnerships with industry leadersPreparing students for careers in government and technologyLouisiana's statewide cybersecurity consortiumLessons in educational leadershipHow to engage more learners more effectivelyJoin us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    Building Future Cybersecurity Leaders with Dr. Ken Williams (Part 3)

  6. Aug 11

    Why AI Won't Replace Cybersecurity Professionals - with Dr. Ken Williams (Part 2)

    Artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity, but it isn't replacing cybersecurity professionals. It's making their work even more essential. In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Ken Williams explains how AI is fundamentally changing both cyber defense and cyber attacks. Through practical stories and easy-to-understand analogies, he explores zero-day vulnerabilities, phishing attacks, ransomware, digital identity, and why cybersecurity has become one of the most critical professions in modern society. Ken also shares how industry certifications, academic programs, and real-world experience must work together to prepare students for careers that will continue evolving alongside AI. Whether you're an educator, technology leader, or simply someone trying to understand today's cybersecurity landscape, this episode offers valuable insight into where the future is headed. In this episode Building a cybersecurity academy near QuanticoWhy certifications matter alongside degreesClosing the gap between academia and industryUnderstanding zero-day vulnerabilitiesAI's impact on cybersecurityThe evolving threat of phishing and ransomwareWhy cybersecurity careers are growing—not disappearingHow AI is reshaping national securityJoin us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    Why AI Won't Replace Cybersecurity Professionals - with Dr. Ken Williams (Part 2)

  7. Aug 4

    From Battlefield to Classroom: Dr. Ken Williams' Journey (Part 1)

    What does military communications in the Gulf War have to do with educating tomorrow's cybersecurity professionals? Quite a lot. In Part 1 of this conversation, Vernon Smith sits down with Dr. Ken Williams to explore an extraordinary career that spans military service, cybersecurity leadership, and higher education innovation. Ken shares how leading communications teams in the Army during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm shaped his philosophy of leadership, preparation, and mission-critical thinking. The conversation then shifts to higher education, where Ken discusses earning the prestigious NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation, redesigning cybersecurity curriculum around real workforce needs, and helping pioneer an accelerated three-year bachelor's degree that reduced costs while maintaining academic quality. If you've ever wondered how higher education can better prepare students for today's rapidly changing workforce, this episode offers a compelling blueprint. In this episode Ken's journey from Guyana to the U.S. ArmyBuilding communications infrastructure during the Gulf WarLeadership lessons from the militaryWhy cybersecurity education needed to changeThe NSA Center of Academic Excellence programConnecting curriculum to real workforce skillsDesigning an innovative three-year cybersecurity degreeLessons from collaborating across higher education systemsJoin us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    From Battlefield to Classroom: Dr. Ken Williams' Journey (Part 1)

  8. Jul 28

    Leading Faculty Through Change with Dr. Kimberly Jacobs (Part 2)

    How do you help educators adapt, grow, and thrive in a rapidly changing world? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kimberly Jacobs, we explore lessons learned from decades of faculty development, leadership, and change management. Kim shares insights from her work leading the Center for Teaching and Learning at American Public University System, where she supported thousands of faculty members as they developed new teaching practices, adopted emerging technologies, and improved student engagement. The conversation also explores coaching, professional development, AI, online learning, and the ongoing challenge of helping educators embrace change while remaining focused on student success. In this episode:  Why great subject matter experts aren't always trained teachers  The importance of learning methodology and adult learning theory  Coaching versus telling in faculty development  Building effective professional development programs  Faculty readiness for AI and emerging technologies  Lessons learned from large-scale change initiatives  Rethinking general education for modern learners  Why meaningful learning happens one person at a time Key Takeaway Effective educational leadership isn't about changing everyone at once. It's about building relationships, creating opportunities for growth, and helping each learner move forward from where they are today. #highereducation #facultydevelopment #leadership #onlinelearning #artificialintelligence #changemanagement #engagedbydesign Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

    Leading Faculty Through Change with Dr. Kimberly Jacobs (Part 2)
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Exploring innovation trends in learning, design, leadership, and change management in higher education. Experienced, successful leaders who have been there, done that, and own the t-shirt share perspectives and lessons learned from more than two decades of online learning and student success.Other Podcast Providers:Amazon: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Engaged-By-Design/B0DB9GZV7F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpiHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-engaged-by-design-283650488/Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/engaged-by-design-6102170 

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Engaged By Design
  • Show Website
    Engaged By Design