As AI becomes more prevalent and powerful, it can be seen as more of a threat than a strategic opportunity. This session will explore how to pivot from defensive to strategic thinking through the implementation of practical AI solutions that streamline employee workflows, optimize operations, and enhance student success.

It is time for higher education leaders to stop fearing AI and start leveraging it. Concerns about academic integrity and job displacement can paralyze many higher education institutions today, but they don’t have to be. In this session, you will hear how forward-thinking leaders are using proven AI applications to solve some of their most pressing challenges.

This session will explore how institutions are using AI to enhance student support, automate routine tasks, and personalize learning pathways. We will also discuss the AI tools and implementation strategies, increasing leadership bandwidth, and operational efficiencies. This engaging session will feature interactive dialogue, including a show of hands polling, as it explores the tools that today’s leaders are or are not using, and how those tools impact their productivity, that of their teams, and their students.

Whether you're leading a small college with limited resources or a large university that needs to scale support services, you'll leave with a clear roadmap for implementing AI solutions that align with your institution's mission and budget. 

Key Takeaways:

1.     Attendees will learn how to lead an institutional mind-shift, moving from seeing AI as a threat to seeing AI as a strategic advantage.

2.     They will gain insights into different AI tools and how they can be integrated into their institutions.

3.     They will receive a step-by-step roadmap for implementing AI initiatives at their institutions.

Dr. Melik Peter Khoury

President/CEO at Unity Environmental University

Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, DBA, is the 11th President and CEO of Unity Environmental University. He is a leader in leveraging technology, including AI, to create accessible, flexible, and affordable education. As the architect of The Enterprise Model, he has transformed Unity into Maine’s fastest-growing university, offering learners career-driven pathways in environmental science and sustainability. With a global perspective shaped by his West African upbringing, Dr. Khoury is a pioneer in higher education reform, institutional innovation, and preparing learners for modern challenges.