Uncharted State

College of Professional and Continuing Studies
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Welcome to UnchartED State, the podcast remapping higher education for a changing world. Hear from bold thinkers, industry experts, and higher ed leaders as they unpack how professional and continuing education is transforming work, learning, and opportunity. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Mississippi State University or the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

  1. May 27

    Inside the Pressure Cooker: Online Education, Policy, and the Push to Adapt with Stacy Snow

    In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Stacy Snow, Principal at Kennedy & Company, to explore the evolving pressures shaping online education today.  From shifting federal and state policies to increased scrutiny of the vendor marketplace, institutions are being pushed to rethink how they build and sustain online programs. Stacy shares insights from her work helping universities launch more than 140 online programs, emphasizing a critical shift: success is no longer about scale. It’s about relevance. The conversation dives into how institutions can better align programs with regional workforce needs, why most online students still come from close to home, and the importance of asking the right questions before launching or expanding programs. They also tackle the harder realities facing leaders today—financial uncertainty, policy instability, and the growing impact of change fatigue across teams. As higher ed navigates constant disruption, this episode highlights the importance of internal capacity building, stakeholder alignment, and staying focused on what matters most: creating meaningful, student-centered experiences. In This Episode: Why relevance—not volume—is driving online program successThe myth of “build it and they will come” in online educationHow geography and community still shape online enrollmentNavigating federal policy shifts, funding uncertainty, and compliance pressuresThe real impact of change fatigue on higher ed teamsWhy transformative change often happens only in crisisBuilding internal capacity in a shifting vendor and OPM landscape

    47 min

  2. May 13

    A Moment to Celebrate: Graduation Season & What’s Ahead

    No new episode of UnchartED State this week! We’re pausing to celebrate our graduates and this milestone season. Catch up on past episodes, share your favorites, and stay tuned. New conversations are coming this summer! 🎓

    1 min

  3. Apr 29

    What AI Means for the University with Dr. Julie Jordan

    In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Dr. Julie Jordan, Mississippi State University's first Senior Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance. Dr. Jordan shares how AI has evolved from a niche technology into something more like electricity: embedded in everything and impossible to ignore. The conversation examines how universities are navigating this acceleration, the challenges of institutional pace and adoption, and broader implications for the labor market, knowledge work, and the long-standing "social contract" of higher education. From billion-dollar data centers rising across Mississippi to free AI models you can run offline on your phone, this episode covers a lot of ground while staying rooted in what it all means for the university. In This Episode: Why AI is being compared to electricity, not just another tech trendWhen three-to-five-year plans become three-to-five-week plansHow AI is reshaping jobs, skills, and the value of a degreeCreating space for faculty to tinker, explore, and talk about itEquity, access, and downloadable AI models for rural learnersWhy communication and human connection matter more than ever

    44 min

  4. Apr 15

    VR, AI, and the Future of the Classroom with Dr. Ryan Walker

    In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Dr. Ryan Walker, associate professor at Mississippi State University and director of the VR certificate program. From virtual rainforests to AI-powered teaching assistants, Dr. Walker shares how immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) are reshaping how students learn, interact, and retain knowledge. The conversation explores how experiential learning in 3D environments leads to deeper understanding, stronger memory, and more engaging educational experiences. The episode also dives into the growing role of AI in these environments, from intelligent avatars that guide learning to adaptive tutors that personalize instruction and assessment in real time. In This Episode:  The difference between VR, AR, and XR—and how each is used in education  Why experiential, immersive learning leads to stronger retention  How AI avatars and virtual teaching assistants are changing instruction  The role of VR in STEM, healthcare, engineering, and beyond  Accessibility, engagement, and the future of assessment in virtual spaces  How higher education is (and isn’t) keeping pace with emerging technologies  What it means to design learning experiences—not just deliver content As immersive technology and AI continue to evolve, this episode explores how higher education can move beyond traditional models and into fully interactive, student-centered learning environments.

    46 min

  5. Apr 1

    The Future of Alumni Engagement with John Rush

    How are universities rethinking fundraising and alumni engagement in today’s rapidly evolving landscape? In this episode of UnchartED State, hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt welcome John Rush, Vice President for Development and Alumni and CEO of the MSU Foundation at Mississippi State University. With over three decades of experience at MSU, John offers a behind-the-scenes look at how institutions are adapting to shifting donor expectations, emerging technologies, and new engagement models. The conversation explores: The evolving role of university foundations and hybrid advancement modelsHow Gen Z is reshaping philanthropy through cause-driven givingThe growing influence of NIL and athletics on donor prioritiesThe role of AI in fundraising and alumni engagementThe vision and impact of the Crossroads District developmentJohn also shares why storytelling, student impact, and authentic relationships remain at the heart of successful fundraising, and why sometimes the most powerful tool is still a handwritten note. Whether you work in higher education, nonprofit leadership, or advancement, this episode offers valuable insights into building meaningful connections that drive long-term impact.

    39 min

  6. Mar 18

    Telling Our Story: AI, Influence, and the Future of Higher Ed Marketing with Thomas Broadus

    What does it mean to market a university in a time of rapid change? In this episode of UnchartED State, hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Thomas Broadus, Chief Marketing Officer at Mississippi State University. With more than two decades of experience in marketing, digital strategy, and communications, Thomas shares how universities are rethinking storytelling, brand strategy, and audience engagement in a fast-moving media landscape. The conversation explores how higher education marketing has evolved, from traditional advertising and paid media to authentic storytelling, influencer-style student content, and algorithm-driven discovery. Thomas also discusses how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping marketing workflows, search visibility, and how prospective students discover universities. Along the way, the discussion highlights the challenge of communicating higher education’s value in an era when public trust is shifting, and why telling real stories of impact, research, and student success matters more than ever. In This Episode: What a Chief Marketing Officer does at a universityHow storytelling shapes a university’s brand and reputationThe growing role of student voices and authentic contentHow AI and AEO is transforming marketing, search, and content creationWhy universities must rethink how prospective students discover programsCommunicating the value and impact of higher education todayUsing storytelling to connect research, learning, and real-world outcomesFrom brand strategy to emerging technologies, this episode offers an inside look at how universities are navigating the evolving world of higher education marketing.

    49 min

  7. Mar 4

    Building Range: Rethinking General Education with Dr. Jonathan Woodward

    What if the future belongs not to specialists, but to those with range? In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Sean Owen and Maddie Ludt are joined by Dr. Jonathan Woodward, Vice President of Teaching & Learning and Community Campus at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, to explore how higher education can build long-term adaptability into its very foundation. Grounded in the ideas from Range by David Epstein, this conversation challenges the assumption that early specialization is the key to success. Instead, it asks: Are our institutions structured for efficiency or for exploration? Jonathan shares how MGCCC’s new general education core and workforce initiatives reflect a “range-informed” approach, balancing technical mastery with interdisciplinary learning, transferable skills, and career-aligned advising. The episode also explores how industry collaboration, stackable credentials, and partnerships with institutions like Mississippi State University can better prepare students for industries that are constantly evolving. In This Episode: What “range” means in a higher education contextThe tension between specialization and long-term adaptabilityDesigning general education around capabilities, not just contentEncouraging exploration without penalizing studentsIntegrating industry voices into curriculum designHow community colleges can serve as laboratories for innovationThe leadership and cultural shifts required to rethink Gen Ed📘 Learn more about Range here: https://davidepstein.com/range/ As industries shift and careers evolve, this episode asks an important question: Are we building programs for the first job or for a lifetime of change?

    48 min

  8. Feb 19

    Faculty Governance and Higher Education's Future with Dr. Stacy Haynes

    How does faculty leadership evolve when higher education itself is changing faster than ever? In this episode of Uncharted State, Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt sit down with Dr. Stacy Haynes, professor of sociology and president of Mississippi State University’s Robert Holland Faculty Senate, to explore how faculty governance operates behind the scenes and why it matters more than ever. Drawing on her background in criminology and decision-making research, Dr. Haynes shares how shared governance helps universities navigate uncertainty, balance diverse perspectives, and ensure faculty voices remain part of institutional decision-making. The conversation explores how communication, trust, and early collaboration shape effective leadership, especially as higher education faces rapid technological change, shifting expectations, and increasing external pressures. In This Episode: What faculty governance does behind the scenesHow shared governance connects faculty, administration, staff, and studentsLeading during uncertainty and navigating competing perspectivesBalancing speed with inclusion as higher ed evolvesWhy communication breakdowns create confusion, and how to fix themFaculty perspectives on AI and the future of teaching and learningReimagining governance systems for a faster-moving worldAs universities adapt to new realities, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how leadership, collaboration, and communication shape the future of higher education.

    46 min
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About

Welcome to UnchartED State, the podcast remapping higher education for a changing world. Hear from bold thinkers, industry experts, and higher ed leaders as they unpack how professional and continuing education is transforming work, learning, and opportunity. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Mississippi State University or the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Information

  • Creator
    College of Professional and Continuing Studies
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Uncharted State
  • Show Website
    Uncharted State