By Sam Bachert, Senior Manager, Academic Services
Ellucian Live 2025 brought together thousands of higher education leaders, technologists, and administrators from across the globe to celebrate the conference's irrepressible theme: "The Magic of Innovation." Ellucian Academic Services (EAS) had the opportunity to deliver nine different presentations.
We are sharing some of the highlights here to underscore how our services foster customer success. We're also using an interview and audio format for the highlights so you can hear what our clients, managers, and learning experience designers have to say in their own words.
We invite you to listen to the full audio recording or jump to the segments that speak most directly to your institution's goals. Whether you're navigating accessibility requirements, rethinking assessment in the age of AI, or building robust faculty development programs, these stories offer practical insights and inspiration.
Interview 1: Mary McHenry, Naropa University
Mary McHenry, Senior Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at Naropa University, discusses the presentation "Moving Online: How to Strengthen a Small, Private University." She highlights the successful partnership between Naropa and EAS and explains how the collaboration has enhanced Naropa's online programs. McHenry shares three areas of focus other institutions may consider in their approach to digital transformation: faculty development, intentional design, and collaborative support.
"It's been really cool to see how much the Naropa faculty have transformed. The growth of the faculty and their creativity and acceptance of this way of teaching... is very much part of the success of how it's going," says McHenry.
Interview 2: Rachael Secovnie & Heidi Schuler, Ellucian
Rachael Secovnie and Heidi Schuler, EAS Managers, share how they support online learning initiatives at Bergen Community College and Washtenaw Community College. Their discussion centers on the upcoming 2026 federal ADA compliance requirements and the importance of proactively supporting accessibility in course design.
"We help support faculty, whether that's adapting to a new learning management system, diversifying or reimagining online pedagogy, or—more recently—using data-driven processes to engage students and support their success," Secovnie says.
At Ellucian Live, they presented:
- "Transforming Online Learning at BCC: A Unified Approach to Student Success"
- "Expanding Post-Pandemic Online Learning: A Community College Approach"
- "Ensuring Digital Accessibility Compliance in Online Learning"
Interview 3: Dr. Suzanne Everest, Dr. Tara Kissel, and Mike Pennella, Ellucian
In the final segment, Learning Experience Designers, Suzanne Everest, Tara Kissel, and Mike Pennella explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and course design. They examine how AI influences instructional strategies, assessment models, and creative learning experiences.
"We partner with faculty and students to reimagine how teaching and learning can really look in an AI-enhanced world," Pennella says.
Their Ellucian Live sessions included:
- "AI Improv: Let's Design Some Creative Learning Experiences!"
- "Harnessing the Inevitable: Effective Assessments for an AI-Driven Age"
- "Designing the Future: AI-Driven Course Innovation"
The audio recording closes with a brief overview of the last two presentations delivered at Ellucian Live 2025: "Support Services for Faculty Development and Teaching & Learning Centers" and "Micro-Credentials: Sparking Workforce PD through Interactive Learning."
If any of these conversations resonate with you — if your institution needs accessibility planning and remediation or faculty development workshops on emerging technologies — we would love to connect with you. Contact us through our Teaching and Learning Services site or via academics@ellucian.com.
