As external pressures and evolving standards reshape the field, Dr. Baham offers an inside look at how universities are moving beyond compliance-driven models toward more strategic, mission-centered decision-making. The conversation explores the growing role of data in shaping institutional strategy, the challenges of data literacy, and the risks of relying too heavily on standardized metrics.

Together, they examine the tension between accountability and autonomy, the unintended consequences of performance-based funding, and what it means to measure success in education, both in the short term and across a lifetime. From accreditation reform to the broader purpose of higher education, this episode highlights a critical moment of transformation and asks: how do institutions stay true to what makes them unique while adapting to a rapidly changing environment?

As higher education continues to evolve, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how we define quality, success, and impact, not just through numbers, but through purpose, mission, and meaningful outcomes.

In This Episode:

• The shift from compliance to strategy in institutional effectiveness
• How accreditation is evolving at the federal and national levels
• The growing importance of data literacy in higher education
• Risks of standardization and losing institutional identity
• Performance-based funding and its unintended consequences
• Rethinking how we measure success beyond short-term metrics

• The role and relevance of general education in today’s colleges and universities
• How graduate education is evolving to meet changing workforce needs
• Balancing job preparation with critical thinking and lifelong learning
• Rethinking education as more than a transactional experience
• Preparing students for long-term success in a rapidly changing world

From shifting perceptions of higher education to the growing importance of career pathways and stackable credentials, Scott shares insights on how students, institutions, and employers can better align to meet the demands of today’s economy, while also rethinking what “college” means and how success is defined beyond a traditional degree.

The conversation dives into how Mississippi can strengthen its talent pipeline, why collaboration between education and industry is essential for economic growth, and the challenges of retaining talent and creating clearer pathways to employment. As the state works to build a more resilient and competitive workforce, this episode underscores the importance of alignment, adaptability, and a shared vision for the future of education and work.

In This Episode:

• The rise of career pathways and stackable credentials
• Rethinking the value and definition of a college degree
• Aligning education with workforce and economic needs
• Strengthening Mississippi’s talent pipeline and retaining talent
• The role of business, policy, and education in driving growth
• Why clearer connections between learning and careers matter more than ever

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 success
• The myth of “build it and they will come” in online education
• How geography and community still shape online enrollment
• Navigating federal policy shifts, funding uncertainty, and compliance pressures
• The real impact of change fatigue on higher ed teams
• Why transformative change often happens only in crisis
• Building internal capacity in a shifting vendor and OPM landscape

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 trend
• When three-to-five-year plans become three-to-five-week plans
• How AI is reshaping jobs, skills, and the value of a degree
• Creating space for faculty to tinker, explore, and talk about it
• Equity, access, and downloadable AI models for rural learners
• Why communication and human connection matter more than ever

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.

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 models
• How Gen Z is reshaping philanthropy through cause-driven giving
• The growing influence of NIL and athletics on donor priorities
• The role of AI in fundraising and alumni engagement
• The vision and impact of the Crossroads District development

John 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. 

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 university
• How storytelling shapes a university’s brand and reputation
• The growing role of student voices and authentic content
• How AI and AEO is transforming marketing, search, and content creation
• Why universities must rethink how prospective students discover programs
• Communicating the value and impact of higher education today
• Using storytelling to connect research, learning, and real-world outcomes

From brand strategy to emerging technologies, this episode offers an inside look at how universities are navigating the evolving world of higher education marketing.

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 context
• The tension between specialization and long-term adaptability
• Designing general education around capabilities, not just content
• Encouraging exploration without penalizing students
• Integrating industry voices into curriculum design
• How community colleges can serve as laboratories for innovation
• The 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?

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 scenes
• How shared governance connects faculty, administration, staff, and students
• Leading during uncertainty and navigating competing perspectives
• Balancing speed with inclusion as higher ed evolves
• Why communication breakdowns create confusion, and how to fix them
• Faculty perspectives on AI and the future of teaching and learning
• Reimagining governance systems for a faster-moving world

As universities adapt to new realities, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how leadership, collaboration, and communication shape the future of higher education.

Justin Samuels has lived that reality, from working in higher ed to senior engineering at Mailchimp to founding RenderATL. Along the way, he's learned one truth: the skills you need tomorrow don't exist in today's textbooks. In this episode of UnchartED State, Sean Owen and Maddie Ludt sit down with Justin for a candid conversation about what it really takes to grow in fast-moving industries and what higher education needs to do differently. From embedded internships that put students in the trenches to hiring people smarter than yourself, Justin unpacks where colleges struggle to keep pace with industry and why teaching adaptability matters more than teaching tools. This conversation is about building the kind of learners who don't just survive change. They drive it.

Drawing from his journey as a Mississippi State alum, engineer, and entrepreneur, Justin unpacks what higher education gets right, where it struggles to keep up with industry, and why adaptability, belonging, and learning how to learn matter more than any single credential.

In This Episode:

• Changing careers (not just jobs) and embracing uncertainty
• Building community and belonging in remote and hybrid worlds
• Why degrees matter less than experience, mindset, and curiosity
• Hiring people who are smarter than you and why that’s a strength
• The role of internships, co-ops, and industry partnerships in closing skill gaps
• Learning how to learn in a world that changes faster every year

Careers aren’t linear, innovation isn’t tidy, and learning never really ends. This episode explores how breaking things, thoughtfully, can lead to better leaders, stronger communities, and more resilient learners.

In this episode of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt sit down with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter. Together, they explore why degrees still matter for some learners, why they don’t for many others, and what must change to create meaningful, trusted pathways beyond the traditional four-year model.

Drawing on years of research, real learner stories, and national workforce data, deLaski challenges the “college for all” narrative while making a compelling case for short-term credentials, micro-pathways, employer-aligned learning, and the human skills that AI can’t replace.

In This Episode:

• Who the “new majority learner” is and why higher ed wasn’t designed for them
• Why affordability and relevance keep millions from completing degrees
• The rise of short-term credentials, apprenticeships, and stackable pathways
• How employers, colleges, and states can build trust in alternative credentials
• Credit for prior learning, skills transcripts, and work-based experience
• Why critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy matter more than ever
• How universities can balance workforce outcomes with the public good

Learning no longer follows a single path. This episode offers a deep exploration of how education, work, and lifelong learning must weave together to better serve learners and society.

📘 Learn more about the book or purchase a copy:
https://www.whoneedscollegeanymore.org

In Episode 8 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt are joined by special guest Dr. Asim Ali, Executive Director of the Biggio Center at Auburn University, to make bold predictions about the year ahead. Sitting on the front porch of a new year, they tackle everything from the future of the four-year degree to emerging technologies that seemed impossible just months ago.

We're living in what Dr. Ali calls a "liminal period"—the old model is dying, but the new one isn't fully formed. In this in-between space, universities face critical questions: Will degrees continue as the primary organizing principle, or are stackable credentials and continuing education reshaping everything? How do we balance preparing students for immediate workforce needs while developing lifelong learners? And what role will AI, augmented reality, and cultural fluency play in classrooms?

In This Episode:

•  The Four-Year Degree: Will it remain the organizing principle of higher education, or are unbundling and stackable credentials the future?
• Land Grant Legacy: How institutions like Mississippi State and Auburn have navigated economic transformations before
• Continuing Education: Why it's the overlooked solution for meeting immediate workforce needs while preserving holistic learning
• Emerging Technologies: Augmented reality, AI-powered learning profiles, brain-computer interfaces, and what seemed crazy yesterday
• Generational Shifts: Moving beyond traditional demographic categories to AI fluency, cultural quotient, and diverse learning needs
• Faculty Evolution: The shift from sage on the stage to facilitator, and what support faculty need to make that transition
• Student Engagement: Why motivation matters more than technology, and what needs to change
• Learning Environments: Creating spaces for time-scarce adult learners

Higher education stands at a crossroads. This conversation offers a roadmap for universities ready to become lifelong learning partners, meeting students not just for four years but throughout their lives.

In Episode 7 of UnchartED State, Dr. Kim Siegenthaler, joining us all the way from Hawaii, talks with Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt about the urgent transformation taking place across higher ed. From AI literacy and faculty training to demographic cliffs, workforce expectations, and the realities of campus life in a post-COVID world, this episode explores how institutions can stay nimble, relevant, and learner-centered.

Dr. Kim offers a candid look at the tension between long-range planning and sudden disruptions, the changing profile of today’s learners, and why embracing chaos and ambiguity may be essential for educators moving forward.

In This Episode:

• Why banning AI is unrealistic—and why faculty AI literacy matters more than ever
• How higher ed can nurture student creativity and leverage emerging technologies
• The growing disconnect between traditional structures and modern learner needs
• Long-range “hurricane” shifts vs. sudden “tornado” disruptions shaping universities
• Rethinking faculty development, curriculum design, and institutional agility
• The future of enrollment, research, workforce development, and community relevance

Higher education is standing at a crossroads, and this conversation shines a light on the mindset, strategies, and courage it will take to lead through the uncertainty ahead.

In this episode of Uncharted State, Dr. Shannon Harmon—faculty member turned instructional innovator—joins Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt to examine how the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is transforming the way universities approach teaching. From questioning long-standing norms to embracing discomfort, Dr. Harmon shares why examining our own practices is essential for improving student learning and building a more adaptive academic culture.

In This Episode:
 • What the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning actually is and why it matters
 • How faculty curiosity and reflective practice drive meaningful change
 • Why today’s learners require new approaches, new structures, and new mindsets
 • The role of feedback, experimentation, and “failing forward” in instructional growth
 • How AI literacy, micro-credentials, and competency-based learning are reshaping the future
 • Why the classroom must become a community of learners

Teaching isn’t static. It’s a living, evolving practice. This episode explores how embracing inquiry, innovation, and the needs of today’s learners can reshape classrooms, curriculum, and the future of higher education itself.

In Episode 5 of Uncharted State, Dr. Will Reed—military leader turned educator—joins Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt to explore what it means to lead with people at the center. From the Army to the classroom, Dr. Reed shares how connection, humility, and care are reshaping leadership in higher education and beyond.

In This Episode:

• What “people-first leadership” looks like in action
• How lessons from the military and Marvel movies can inspire teamwork and shared power
• The value of empathy, openness, and listening in leadership development
• Why servant leadership and psychological safety matter more than ever
• How Mississippi State’s applied leadership programs are preparing learners to lead change

Leadership isn’t about titles or authority—it’s about people. This episode reveals how leading with heart, humility, and shared purpose can transform teams, organizations, and lives.

In Episode 4 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt explore what it means to learn, teach, and grow in an era of constant change. From virtual cadaver labs to credit for prior learning and lifelong pathways that blend work, study, and technology, they dive into how higher education is transforming to support learners at every stage of life.

In This Episode:

• What defines the “new learner” and how their paths differ from traditional students
• Real stories of learners redefining success through flexible education pathways
• How community colleges and universities are collaborating for seamless transitions
• Credit for prior learning and the power of recognizing real-world experience
• How VR, simulation, and AI are transforming how—and where—we learn
• Why listening, relationships, and empathy matter as much as innovation

Learning today doesn’t follow a straight line. The new learner journey is about flexibility, relevance, and reimagining education as a lifelong, connected experience.

In Episode 3 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt explore how higher education and industry can collaborate to define what success truly means in today’s dynamic world.

In This Episode:

• Why 65% of jobs still require a college degree—and why that’s only part of the story
• How universities can become lifelong learning partners, not just degree-granting institutions
• The rise of “returnships” and retooling opportunities for mid-career professionals
• Why soft skills, creativity, and adaptability still matter more than ever
• How AI integration in curriculum can empower—not replace—the human thinker
• Building “sandbox” spaces where students, faculty, and industry explore innovation together

Education is no longer a finish line—it’s a lifelong partnership. Success today means agility, curiosity, and collaboration between learners, universities, and the industries they’ll transform.

In Episode 2 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt tackle a fundamental question: How should we actually measure student success in higher education?

In This Episode:

• Why traditional metrics (GPA, retention, graduation rates) were designed for external stakeholders, not students
• The shift from "college ready" to "student ready" institutions
• Credit for prior learning: Why recognizing work experience improves graduation rates
• Moving beyond "traditional" vs "non-traditional" labels that devalue student experience
• How career impact and skill application define success for adult learners
• The role of technology and AI in identifying student needs and measuring outcomes

Success looks different for everyone. A student returning after 15 years of management experience has different needs than an 18-year-old freshman—and universities must meet both where they are, not force them into outdated categories.

In this inaugural episode of Uncharted State, Dean Susan Seal, Associate Dean Sean Owen, and Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement Maddie Ludt from Mississippi State University's College of Professional and Continuing Studies tackle one of higher education's most critical challenges: helping diverse student populations feel like they belong.

In This Episode:

• Why belonging drives student success, retention, and deeper learning
• Practical instructional strategies that foster genuine connection
• How to engage diverse populations: military veterans, working professionals, traditional students, and adult learners across generations
• The role of vulnerability and authenticity in effective teaching
• What students can do to take ownership of their educational experience
• Real stories from the classroom

Whether you're teaching, designing educational programs, or navigating your own learning journey, this conversation offers actionable insights for transforming isolation into community.