Leading through Chaos - Insights and Actions presented by the Academic Strategy Team & Friends

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Instructure
Instructure
‎07-24-2025 09:53 AM
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This is an era of challenge, change, and opportunity. As the Academic Strategy Team, we’ve spent the past year researching trends, attending conferences, and gathering insights with customers and educational leaders across the educational landscape. During this keynote we shared the latest on AI, credentialing, education policy, and experiential learning. Attendees left inspired and armed with resources and ideas for the year ahead from some influential education leaders from across the globe.

Monica Hickson, Senior Instructional Specialist at University of Michigan

8.pngMonica Hickson is a highly accomplished Senior Instructional Learning Specialist, educator, instructional designer, facilitator, and author, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in training, instruction, and instructional design.

In her current capacity, Ms. Hickson develops and delivers workshops focused on integrating Generative AI (GenAI) tools into academic curricula for both faculty and staff who support education. These GenAI 11 courses also offer digital badges upon completion of these workshops. Some titles include: Critical Challenges in GenAI: Ethical Implications, Integrity, and Bias,GenAI Educational Landscape: Best Practices for Instructors and Boost Work Productivity with GenAI.

Her career spans significant contributions to information technology and higher education, including roles at institutions like Macomb Community College, Cleary University, Marygrove College, and Washtenaw College. She has also designed and implemented comprehensive technical and leadership training programs for prominent organizations, including Ford Motor Company. Furthermore, Ms. Hickson has demonstrated her commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) as a facilitator and trainer during her tenure at the University of Michigan. The intersection of IT and DEI is a particular passion for her, which is why she frequently addresses algorithmic bias in her courses.

Ms. Hickson holds a Master's Degree in Education from Central Michigan University and has completed additional graduate coursework.

Following the profound personal loss of her fiancé to COVID-19, Ms. Hickson has become a vocal advocate for individuals impacted by the pandemic. She has authored several articles and a book, The COVID Diaries, which compellingly highlight this pivotal period in recent history.

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Rodney Parks, University Registrar & Assistant Vice President at Elon University

91.pngDr. Rodney Parks serves as the University Registrar, Director of Elon’s Summer College, and Assistant Vice President at Elon University, where he has worked since 2013. He is also an Assistant Professor of Adventure-Based Learning, regularly teaching two to three core capstone courses each year. Dr. Parks earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia and has recently served as a Senior Consultant for AACRAO.

Since joining Elon, Dr. Parks has been a prolific scholar, publishing over 100 articles and book chapters. His work is featured in several AACRAO publications, including Helping Veterans Succeed: A Resource for Higher Education Administrators, Academic Record Transcript Guide, The Displaced Student, Mentorship in Higher Education: Practical Advice and Leadership Theories, and College Admissions: Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Student Body.

He is widely recognized in higher education for his leadership in developing comprehensive learner records. In 2015, he led the transformation of Elon’s co-curricular transcript into a visual infographic format, capturing the breadth of the Elon student experience. 

During our keynote, Rodney shared how Elon University is using Comprehensive Learner Records to document student learning across the spectrum of experiences. A CLR goes beyond traditional transcripts by capturing academic and co-curricular achievements in one place. Elon University started by combining academic courses with study abroad, research, internships, and leadership experiences around 2013. The combination of the academic and experiential transcripts provides a more complete, evidence-based portrait of the full learner and a storytelling tool for job seekers and transfer students. The institution benefits from a way to further leverage engagement data, support targeted improvements, and enhance brand reputation. And, potential employers are provided with richer, competency-based insights beyond courses and credits.

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Julia Fallon, Executive Director at SETDA

6 (1).pngJulia Fallon is the Executive Director of SETDA, the national professional association supporting U.S. state and territorial leaders in advancing effective, equitable digital learning. With over 30 years of experience in educational technology, including a decade in higher education, Julia works at the intersection of policy, leadership, and practice to help public education systems leverage technology for learning, teaching, and operations.

Under her leadership, SETDA led the development of the U.S. Department of Education’s 2024 National Educational Technology Plan. Prior to joining SETDA in 2021, Julia spent 17 years at the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, leading initiatives focused on technology integration, educator professional learning, digital equity, and federal program implementation.

Outside of work, Julia DJs bass-heavy tech-house sets and live streams them most Friday nights on Twitch. She holds a master’s in educational technology from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s in business education from NYU.

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Dr. Jason Blackstock, Founder and CEO, How to Change the World

7.pngDr Jason Blackstock is the Founder and CEO of How to Change the World – a social enterprise that he spun out from University College London (UCL). How to Change the World is a social enterprise transforming careers to create a sustainable future through online experiential learning programs – while building the tech to revolutionise online experiential learning at scale. 

Jason’s previous experience spans quantum physics research; silicon valley tech development; sustainability, technology & innovation policy; and higher education innovation & leadership. Since the mid-00’s he has taught, provided policy advice and led research from universities and think tanks such as Harvard, Oxford, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Jason was the Founding Head of UCL STEaPP (2013-18), and currently serves as a director or advisory board member for numerous organisations, including MIT IDSS and We Make Change.

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