Guiding the AI Revolution: Lessons from Visionary HEI Leaders

Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 1:00PM–1:45PM ET
Session Type: Breakout Session
Delivery Format: Presentation/Panel Session
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the landscape of higher education, institutional leaders are moving into uncharted territory. While much has been written about AI’s potential, little is known about how leaders are driving this transformation. This qualitative study helps to fill that gap by exploring the lived experience of U.S. higher education institution (HEI) leaders as they navigate AI integration to boost student success. Using hermeneutic phenomenology and semi-structured interviews, this study uncovered seven key themes: managing people through change, AI adoption processes, aligning implementation across systems, evaluating impact, navigating opportunities and challenges, ethical decision-making, and effective leadership strategies. The findings offer a rare glimpse into the early-stages of AI-driven transformation in higher education, which provides a roadmap for other leaders as the AI revolution accelerates.

Presenters

  • Shelley Johnson

    Provost/Chief Academic Officer, Joyce University of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences

Resources & Downloads

  • Guiding the AI Revolution Slides

    Updated on 11/5/2025