Live from ASU-GSV: Disrupting Academia Through Action at San Francisco Bay University

About the Episode: President Nick Ladany of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) shares his vision for higher education. Focused on disrupting traditional models, SFBU introduces modern approaches to faculty development, student wellness, and a restructured curriculum aimed at real-world success. Join us as Nick explains how SFBU’s strategies are set to redefine the academic landscape, ensuring affordability, accessibility, and transformative educational experiences.

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Key Takeaways

• Revolutionizing Faculty Roles: SFBU is challenging traditional norms by requiring faculty to engage in continuous learning and teaching improvement, moving away from outdated tenure models.
• Enhanced Student Wellness Programs: Comprehensive support systems including unlimited mental health services, financial literacy, and nutritional advice aim to support every aspect of student well-being.
• Curriculum Innovation: With a focus on reducing unnecessary coursework, SFBU plans an academic program to streamline graduation without compromising educational quality.
• No Athletics, More Resources: Redirecting funds typically used for athletics to enhance academic and support services, maximizing the value of tuition dollars.

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Rethinking Higher Education: SFBU's Bold Vision

San Francisco Bay University is embracing a "startup mindset" to disrupt higher education. Nick explains how SFBU is eliminating outdated practices in favor of a student-first approach. For example, the university is introducing a 90-credit undergraduate program, recognizing that the traditional 120-credit requirement is both arbitrary and burdensome for students.

Their tuition model is equally innovative, with rates capped at $8,000-$10,000 annually for both undergraduate and graduate programs. This makes SFBU accessible to a wide range of students, particularly first-generation college attendees and students from underrepresented communities.

Nick is also leading efforts to overhaul faculty development, pointing out that most faculty members in higher education have no formal training in teaching. SFBU's focus on instructor development aims to ensure that all faculty members can effectively engage with students and deliver high-quality instruction.

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A Holistic Approach to Student Wellness

One of SFBU’s most groundbreaking initiatives is its comprehensive focus on student wellness. Recognizing that mental, physical, and financial health are interconnected, the university has introduced several key measures to support students:

• Unlimited Mental Health Services: SFBU provides students with round-the-clock access to mental health resources, recognizing that many challenges arise outside of standard business hours.
• Financial Literacy: By addressing financial wellness and providing resources for financial literacy, the university is equipping students with tools to navigate financial stress, a common cause of mental health struggles.
• Physical and Nutritional Health: SFBU plans to integrate physical and nutritional wellness programming, understanding that these factors are critical to student success.

Nick notes that these wraparound services are modeled after the support often given to student-athletes but designed to benefit all students.

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Leveraging AI to Enhance Learning and Support

SFBU is fully embracing artificial intelligence across its operations. Nick explains how the university is using AI to create a more dynamic and personalized experience for students, both inside and outside the classroom:

• Curriculum Integration: AI is embedded into the curriculum, teaching students how to use it ethically and effectively while preparing them to lead in industries transformed by AI.
• Student Support: AI-powered tools are being used to identify early warning signs of challenges, such as a student not using their dining hall card for several days, and proactively connecting them with resources.
• Mental Health and Wellness: AI is also being utilized to provide 24/7 access to mental health services and other critical support systems.

Rather than viewing AI as a threat, SFBU sees it as a tool to enhance education and student success. By teaching students to use AI responsibly, the university is preparing them to thrive in the workforce of the future.

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Measures of Success

SFBU has outlined clear metrics for evaluating its success:

• Retention and Graduation Rates: The university has set a goal of achieving an 80% graduation rate, significantly higher than the national average of 60%.
• Career Outcomes: With a focus on a limited number of high-demand majors, SFBU aims to ensure that students are prepared for meaningful careers in evolving industries.
• Competency-Based Outcomes: SFBU has developed a framework of 15 core competencies and 43 behavioral indicators to measure student development in areas like global competence, leadership, and resilience.

Nick emphasizes that these measures reflect SFBU’s commitment to providing students with not only academic knowledge but also the skills and mindsets needed for lifelong success.

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The Road Ahead

Looking forward, Nick is excited about opportunities to learn from and collaborate with other innovators in higher education. He believes that the long tail of the pandemic has created new challenges for students—particularly around mental health—that must be addressed proactively.

Nick also sees significant potential for AI to revolutionize student support and is eager to explore new strategies for using technology to improve retention and graduation rates.

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Connect With Our Host:

Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/ 
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea 

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. 

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Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Mallory will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI. 

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Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!