Mini Series: Ep#7 Conversations in Higher Education with Patricia Clay - EDUCAUSE 2025

Conversations in Higher Education explores the critical challenges and innovations shaping the future of colleges and universities through candid discussions with leaders on the front lines of transformation. In this episode, Patricia Clay shares her community college perspective on restoring trust, embedding AI into curriculum thoughtfully, and removing friction from student experiences while protecting privacy and security.Welcome to Conversations in Higher Education! 🎓Recorded live at EDUCAUSE 2025 in Nashville, this episode features Patricia Clay, a technology leader from a community college, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities in making higher education accessible, affordable, and trustworthy for first-generation students and English language learners.In this episode, Patricia discusses:✅ Why trust is challenged by questions about degree value and cost✅ Community colleges' role in workforce development and seamless transfer✅ The delicate balance: teaching AI skills vs. outsourcing learning to AI✅ How to tell when students used ChatGPT vs. understanding the material✅ AI isn't a magic black box—understanding data sources matters✅ Balancing innovation with security and privacy responsibilities✅ Creating AI strategy and governance councils with student voices✅ Students want transparency and agency in how AI is used✅ Pain points for first-generation and ESL students navigating higher ed✅ The "one stop" model for reducing student friction✅ Breaking down silos while respecting regulatory requirements✅ Building advisor relationships so students have a "quarterback"✅ Solving problems systemically instead of case-by-casePatricia brings a practical, student-centered perspective on how community colleges can innovate responsibly, ensure every student feels supported from day one, and build the trust that's essential for student success.Recorded at EDUCAUSE 2025 in Nashville, TennesseeGuest: Patricia Clay, Technology Leader, Community CollegeHost: Jon Myer, Rackspace Technology - Myer Media#HigherEducation #EdTech #EDUCAUSE #CommunityCollege #AIinEducation #StudentSuccess #TrustInEducation #FirstGeneration #RemovingFriction #HigherEdInnovationTimeline0:00 - Welcome & Introduction from EDUCAUSE 20250:30 - Top 10 Initiative #1: Restoring trust in higher education0:38 - Community college perspective on trust challenges1:14 - Will AI take over jobs or help them?1:41 - Embedding AI into curriculum vs. outsourcing learning to AI2:29 - When students can't articulate what they "wrote"3:24 - Faculty need to understand AI isn't a magic black box3:51 - Biggest challenges for CIOs: balancing innovation and security5:01 - Protecting data while learning: transparency with students6:04 - Pain points for first-generation and ESL students6:58 - Biggest efficiency gaps in higher education7:34 - Breaking down silos while respecting regulatory boundaries8:19 - Reducing friction in the student onboarding process9:38 - Taking ownership and not passing students around10:43 - Advisors as "quarterbacks" for student success11:30 - Balancing innovation with long-term support12:27 - Closing thoughts & thank you🔔 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification 🔔 ✔ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/jonmyer/?sub_confirmation=1📱 Social Media Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JonMyerWebsite: https://jonmyer.comLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-myer/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wjJzdIwctq4o4pTXM2KSFLike my sounds? Here's my audio source: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/fj9o9k#aws #awscloud #podcast #podcasting #costoptimization #finops #cloudcost #cloudoptimization