Quantum Leap

Kiran Kodithala
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The Age of AI is upon us - higher education's approach will author a new and vibrant path forward for students, faculty, administrations, thought leaders, solution providers, and innovators. The Quantum Leap podcast brings together the brightest minds to unpack the opportunity before us.

  1. The Accidental Leader: Emad Rahim Live at Quantum Leap 2026

    1D AGO

    The Accidental Leader: Emad Rahim Live at Quantum Leap 2026

    Episode Summary: Emad Rahim — born in a concentration camp during the Khmer Rouge Genocide in Cambodia, raised as a stateless refugee in Brooklyn, and now a three-time doctorate holder, Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, and award-winning educator — sits down for a fireside chat with N2N's Storyteller in Residence, Dr. Rod Berger, about the intersection of technology, education, and the power of human storytelling. Key Topics Covered: Emad's journey from a dyslexic, first-generation college student to an acclaimed educator and author The role mentors played in redirecting his life at critical moments How AI and competency-based learning can level the playing field in education COVID's impact on young people's social skills and mental health — and how AI can help The power of vulnerability and storytelling as tools for human connection Using AI to enhance (not replace) the storytelling experience The "Choose Your Own Adventure" metaphor for navigating an AI-driven future Accessibility of technology and its potential to celebrate culture and community Notable Quotes: "It took a vice principal at a high school to see something in me and refuse to give up on me." "I would say I'm a storyteller… I know my story more than anybody else." "When you allow people to be vulnerable, they take advantage of it right away." "I think with the resources available, they can choose their own adventure." "There's a sense of fear that exists, and it's natural… but there also needs to be a sense of opportunity." Guest Bio: Emad Rahim was born in a Cambodian concentration camp during the Khmer Rouge Genocide and arrived in Brooklyn as a stateless refugee in the 1980s. Once a dyslexic student who barely graduated high school, he went on to earn three doctorates, become a Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, and college dean. He is an award-winning educator, acclaimed author, and globally recognized motivational speaker, profiled in Forbes, HuffPost, StoryCorps, and PBS.

    29 min
  2. Dr. Jeannie Kim - Leadership, Life & Lessons for the Future

    5D AGO

    Dr. Jeannie Kim - Leadership, Life & Lessons for the Future

    This fireside chat podcast features Dr. Jeannie Kim, a community college leader, discussing the intersection of artificial intelligence, humanity, and leadership in higher education. The conversation explores how educational institutions can navigate rapid technological change while maintaining human connection and addressing the emotional toll on faculty, staff, and students. Themes discussed between N2N's Storyteller in Residence and host of Quantum Leap 2026, Dr. Rod Berger, and Dr. Jeannie Kim. 1. Humanity in an AI-Driven World Dr. Kim and the host bond over being cancer survivors, using this as a lens to discuss facing finality while living in a world of endless possibility Emphasis on maintaining hope and resilience when confronting technological transformation AI should handle mundane tasks so humans can focus on meaningful connections 2. Leadership Challenges in Higher Education Leaders must carefully navigate AI adoption across three groups: early adopters (20%), middle adopters (60%), and resistant "clay layer" (20%) Fear pervades all levels of the organization Success requires vulnerability, storytelling, and emotional connection rather than having all the answers Must move away from "sage on the stage" mentality toward creating organic connections 3. Behind-the-Scenes Struggles Dr. Kim reveals challenges not widely discussed in the popular press: Mental health crisis among administrators, faculty, staff, and students Overwhelming combination of political/social chaos, rapid AI changes, and curriculum redesign Faculty capacity limitations when asked to defend content and completely revise teaching methods Outdated technology (still using 2000s-era tools during COVID in 2020) 4. Practical AI Integration California community colleges provide Google Gemini access to all students and employees Dr. Kim uses AI daily for iterative learning, crafting detailed prompts (sometimes over a page long) Uses paid, encapsulated version for privacy Encourages exploring AI for both professional and personal questions Most popular ChatGPT use: relationship advice/personal therapy 5. Education's Path Forward Must acknowledge "we don't know what we don't know." Avoid one-size-fits-all solutions that plagued previous technology implementations Focus on student-centered values that everyone can rally around Create space for failure and learning while respecting diverse perspectives Regular and substantive faculty-student interaction remains critical 6. New Leadership Skills Needed Spend less time on mundane tasks, more on human connection Create moments where people connect organically Be open to uncomfortable conversations and challenging perspectives Learn something new every day Provide diverse perspectives (example: hosting NYT bestselling author Karen Howe) Notable Quotes: "AI can take care of those things that, quite frankly, I didn't wanna do in the first place." "We don't know what we don't know, and we don't take the time to figure out what we don't know." "It's not a one-size-fits-all" "We need to figure out how to stop being the sage on the stage." This conversation took place at the Quantum Leap 2026 conference, brought to you by End to End and Lightleap AI, focusing on innovation in higher education.

    23 min
  3. Behind The Data of Higher Education with Lee Lambert

    MAR 3

    Behind The Data of Higher Education with Lee Lambert

    Lee Lambert is the Chancellor at Foothill-De Anza Community College District and a visionary leader who has served as a senior-level community college executive for more than two decades. Prior to Foothill-De Anza, Lambert served as chancellor of Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona, where he led a transformation of the college into Centers of Excellence in applied technology, health care, hospitality, information technology and cybersecurity, public safety, and the arts. Lambert is a dynamic advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, student success, and community engagement. He also believes and invests in employee professional development and growth to better serve students and the community. Among Lambert’s many achievements and recognitions, he was the recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) awarded him with the Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year Award, and the National Guard and Reserves of the U.S. named him a Patriotic Employer. Earlier this year, Lee was named Tucson Man of the Year. He currently serves on several committees and boards, including the Advisory Committee of Presidents for ACCT and the National Association of Workforce Boards’ executive committee. He previously served on the American Association of Community Colleges board. In addition to his published writings, Lee is an international and nationally recognized speaker on the future of work and learning. Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea, grew up on three continents, and served in the U.S Army. He received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and a Juris Doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law.

    33 min
  4. AI's Role In Safe Guarding Higher Education with Kiran Kodithala

    JAN 15

    AI's Role In Safe Guarding Higher Education with Kiran Kodithala

    N2N's founder and CEO, Kiran Kodithala, stops by to level-set the challenges and opportunities AI presents across the higher education landscape.

    45 min
  5. Quantum Leap Preview

    12/16/2025

    Quantum Leap Preview

    Show Preview: Yesterday's IlluminatEd podcast is today's Quantum Leap. Join N2N and LightLeapAI as we delve into the stories, characters, and plotlines driving today's AI decisions across higher education.

    1 min
  6. Tradition Meets Innovation with Dr. Andrew T. Hsu, President of the College of Charleston

    04/27/2025

    Tradition Meets Innovation with Dr. Andrew T. Hsu, President of the College of Charleston

    This episode is brought to you by N2N’s Illuminate App, The iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/ Subscribe and listen to more episodes at https://illuminatedpodcast.org Contact Dr. Andrew T. Hsu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hsu-248ba133  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cofchsu/?hl=en X: https://x.com/CofCHsu Learn more about the College of Charleston Website: https://charleston.edu

    30 min
  7. Rise of the AI with Dr. Lee D. Lambert, Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District

    02/11/2024

    Rise of the AI with Dr. Lee D. Lambert, Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District

    This episode is brought to you by N2N’s Illuminate App, The iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/ Subscribe and listen to more episodes at https://illuminatedpodcast.org Contact Dr. Lee D. Lambert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-lambert-a3a51142 Learn more about the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Website: https://www.fhda.edu/

    57 min
  8. CRUSHED: How Student Debt Has Impaired A Generation And What To Do About It with David Linton, Author of CRUSHED: How Student Debt Has Impaired A Generation And What To Do About It

    07/30/2023

    CRUSHED: How Student Debt Has Impaired A Generation And What To Do About It with David Linton, Author of CRUSHED: How Student Debt Has Impaired A Generation And What To Do About It

    This episode is brought to you by N2N’s Illuminate App, The iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/ Subscribe and listen to more episodes at https://illuminatedpodcast.org Contact David Linton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-linton-cfa-a76266b/ Get your copy of  CRUSHED: How Student Debt Has Impaired A Generation And What To Do About It Order:  https://www.amazon.com/Crushed-Student-Impaired-Generation-About/dp/1604271892/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23I8FONE6PWWI&keywords=CRUSHED%3A+How+Student+Debt+Has+Impaired+A+Generation+And+What+To+Do+About+It&qid=1689179771&sprefix=crushed+how+student+debt+has+impaired+a+generation+and+what+to+do+about+it%2Caps%2C417&sr=8-1

    46 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The Age of AI is upon us - higher education's approach will author a new and vibrant path forward for students, faculty, administrations, thought leaders, solution providers, and innovators. The Quantum Leap podcast brings together the brightest minds to unpack the opportunity before us.

Information

  • Creator
    Kiran Kodithala
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 N2N's LightLeapAI
  • Show Website
    Quantum Leap

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