In part two, the conversation turns to artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education. Kate shares her experiences teaching during the rapid rise of AI tools and discusses the challenges they create for assessment, academic integrity, and course design.

The discussion also explores how educators can respond by designing meaningful learning experiences that emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving.

In part one of this conversation, Dr. Kate Zatz shares the personal story that shaped her commitment to students and higher education. From her journey as a first-generation college student to her leadership roles across multiple institutions, Kate reflects on mentorship, student involvement, and the importance of belonging in higher education.

She also discusses her decades of work with the Girl Scouts and why leadership development and community support matter more than ever for young people today.

What can leaders learn from the natural world?

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith continue their conversation with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, co-authors of The ABCs of Murmuration: Collective Wisdom of Nature.

Building on the concept of Flock Logic, the conversation explores how leaders and organizations can adapt, move together, and learn from the rhythms of nature.

Kathy and Robin introduce the idea of “walking in a new way” — shifting how we think about leadership, collaboration, and innovation. Through stories, research, and practical insights, they show how collective movement, shared rhythm, and distributed leadership can help organizations navigate complexity and change.

If you work in education, leadership, or organizational development, this episode will challenge you to rethink how groups move, learn, and evolve together.

Extended Show Notes

Nature offers powerful lessons for leadership — especially when we observe how complex systems move and adapt together.

In this episode, Michael and Vernon welcome back Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, authors of The ABCs of Murmuration: Collective Wisdom of Nature. Their work explores how patterns found in nature — particularly bird murmurations — reveal powerful insights about collaboration, adaptability, and collective intelligence.

During the conversation, they explore:

• What murmuration can teach us about collective leadership
• The concept of Flock Logic and shared rhythm in organizations
• Why leadership today requires movement rather than control
• How organizations can adapt by “walking in a new way”
• The power of distributed leadership and emergent collaboration
• Lessons from nature that apply to education, innovation, and change

Rather than relying on rigid hierarchies, effective organizations learn to move like living systems — sensing, adapting, and responding together.

For leaders navigating uncertainty, these ideas provide a fresh lens for understanding how people and organizations can thrive in complex environments.

In this episode, Michael and Vernon continue their conversation with Dr. Ira Lovitch as they explore the final two elements of his Five M’s framework for innovation.

While technology and processes matter, Ira argues that lasting innovation ultimately comes down to people and the environments in which they work and learn.

The conversation highlights how leadership, culture, and care for students shape meaningful progress in higher education.

Show Notes

In this episode we discuss:

• The Human element of innovation
• Why leadership and relationships matter in change
• Creating environments where innovation can grow
• How educators can better engage today’s students
• Why effective leadership begins with heart and soul

This episode concludes our two-part conversation with Dr. Ira Lovitch.

Dr. Ira Lovitch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iralovitch557
Mount St. Mary’s University: https://www.msmu.edu/

Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon welcome Dr. Ira Lovitch, an experienced business faculty member and longtime educator in online higher education.

Ira introduces his Five M’s framework for innovation, a model that helps leaders understand how change happens inside organizations. In this first part of the conversation, the discussion focuses on the first three elements of the model:

• Measurement
• Methods
• Machines

Together, they explore how institutions evaluate progress, improve processes, and leverage technology to support meaningful innovation in education.

This conversation is especially valuable for leaders and educators working to navigate change in complex institutions.

Show Notes

In this episode we discuss:

• Ira Lovitch’s Five M’s framework for innovation
• Why measurement matters when evaluating change
• How methods and processes shape innovation
• The role of technology and tools (“machines”) in education
• Lessons from years of teaching and leading in online higher education

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.

In the next episode, we explore the final two elements of Ira’s framework: Humans and Environment.

Dr. Ira Lovitch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iralovitch557
Mount St. Mary’s University: https://www.msmu.edu/

Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com

Episode Description

In Part 2 of this conversation on the Engaged By Design Podcast, Dr. Michael Cottam continues his discussion with Andrea Dunn, focusing on the evolving landscape of Open Educational Resources, generative AI, and change leadership in higher education.

Andrea reflects on how institutions are responding to rising costs, emerging technologies, and shifting learner expectations—and why successful change requires more than new tools. From AI-supported workflows to small but meaningful design decisions, this episode highlights the deeply human side of innovation.

Leaders will gain practical insights into navigating resistance, identity, and trust while guiding teams through continuous change.

In this episode, we explore:

• How OER has evolved across states and institutions
• What generative AI is changing—and what still requires human judgment
• Why small design and language choices can shape learner belonging
• How listening and empathy strengthen leadership during disruption

This episode is ideal for leaders, faculty, and professionals seeking thoughtful, learner-centered approaches to innovation in higher education.

Episode Description

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Dr. Michael Cottam is joined by Andrea Dunn, a strategic technology and operations leader with more than 20 years of experience driving large-scale initiatives in higher education.

Andrea shares behind-the-scenes insights from her work leading enterprise course materials and Open Educational Resource (OER) initiatives at scale—impacting tens of thousands of learners. Together, we explore what it really takes to implement meaningful change across complex systems while keeping students, faculty, and staff at the center.

This conversation is especially valuable for leaders working from the middle—those navigating priorities, resistance, and execution across institutional boundaries.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How OER and digital course materials can reduce cost while improving access and learning outcomes
• What large-scale change looks like behind the scenes in higher education
• How agile and product-focused leadership supports sustainable innovation
• Why listening, iteration, and empathy matter as much as strategy

Whether you work in academic leadership, instructional design, IT, or student support, this episode offers practical lessons for leading change thoughtfully and effectively.

Episode Description

What does it really take to lead change from the middle of an institution?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Christina Dryden explore leadership, trust-building, and the realities of managing change across complex higher education organizations. The discussion then turns to AI—how instructional design, assessment, and faculty roles are evolving, and why keeping humans in the loop matters more than ever.

This episode offers practical wisdom for academic leaders navigating constant change with clarity, authenticity, and hope.

Key Topics

• Leading change without positional authority
• Trust, transparency, and authenticity in leadership
• Learning from mentors and leadership experiences
• Using AI responsibly in instructional design and assessment
• Preparing institutions and faculty for the AI-enabled future

Guest

Christina Dryden
Vice Provost, American College of Financial Services

Explore the AI Course Design Accelerator at www.engagedbydesign.com