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What if the future of higher education doesn't lie in reinventing the wheel, but in reimagining who the wheel serves? Join me for an insightful conversation with Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, president of Empire State University, where we tackle this compelling question head-on. As a trailblazer in the SUNY system, Dr. Vollendorf shares how Empire State is setting new standards for online education, creating a flexible and inclusive learning environment for students aged 15 to 80. We shed light on the university's transformative journey from its 1971 inception to its current role as a leader in online education, especially post-pandemic, while emphasizing the shift in perception from non-traditional to the new traditional learners.

Navigating the complex world of higher education leadership, we confront the challenges of balancing innovation with tradition and fostering inclusivity by valuing students' prior experiences. At Empire State University, inclusivity isn't just a buzzword; it's a practice, offering credit transfers and valuing diverse backgrounds. Through our discussion, we explore the delicate act of refining brand identity and embracing artificial intelligence, essential for modernizing operations and meeting the demands of today's learners. This episode promises to provoke thought on how universities can truly reflect and adapt to the evolving educational landscape, ensuring every learner's needs are met with precision and care.