Transforming Learning Through Innovation And Student-Centered Approaches

Amber Pleasant, Program Director of Adult Education Language Learning, Aims Community College

1. Can you share insights into your career journey and the experiences that led you to your current role at Aims Community College?

My path to working at Aims was a bit nontraditional for higher education. I first began teaching while I was finishing up an externship for a Master’s Degree. While working for an NGO (non-governmental organization) in Southeast Asia, I was both touched by how passionately the people we worked with sought out education opportunities and struck by how much I found myself enjoying teaching. Opportunities continued to arise to partner with education initiatives and experiential education organizations, which further developed my passion for varied approaches to education. After finishing a contract teaching in South Korea, I returned to the United States in early 2020. Teaching positions were difficult to find at that time, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a Nashville-based nonprofit overseeing their adult education services.

While I greatly enjoy teaching, it was rewarding to bring empathy and understanding to how I supported other teachers while also elevating education initiatives for a whole program full of students. While in Nashville, I was able to partner with local universities to provide internship opportunities and mentorship to aspiring educators finishing their degrees. After some conversations about professional development with my own mentors, I decided to pursue my next management opportunity within higher education. It has been incredibly rewarding to work at Aims Community College, and I have found the college and community to be incredibly receptive to partnerships that increase the kinds of opportunities we provide to students.

2. What are the most significant trends shaping higher education today, and how is Aims Community College leveraging these trends to enhance learning experiences?

Almost every industry is being influenced by shifts in technology and culture. There are several key trends that Higher Education is currently adapting to. Artificial Intelligence (AI), both generative and predictive, is transforming education by personalizing learning and streamlining administrative processes. Micro credentialing and certifications are gaining traction, allowing students to acquire specialized skills in a flexible, career-focused manner. Additionally, the demand for affordable and accessible education remains a priority. Aims Community College is leveraging these trends by integrating AI-driven tools to enhance instruction, expanding micro-credential and certification offerings to meet workforce needs, and maintaining a commitment to affordability and accessibility, ensuring students have the resources to succeed in a dynamic job market.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing the higher education industry in the coming years, and how is Aims Community College preparing to navigate them?

While higher education generally exists for the sake of students, I want to address both direct student challenges and employee challenges in higher education.

For students, some of the most pressing challenges include the cost of earning a degree, ensuring the degree they earn is relevant to industry changes, and focusing on overall student well-being. Aims Community College offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options for students, in addition to already being one of the most affordable higher education options for students in Northern Colorado. A particularly impactful initiative at Aims is providing low-cost or open-source texts for students.

"While all programs at colleges and universities exist to serve students, it takes planning and intentionality to find the right employees to move colleges forward"

Regarding program modifications, Aims continues to develop various certificate and degree programs that allow students to learn at the pace that works best for them and seeks to update the curriculum as industries evolve. To support students holistically, on-site counselors are available for students at no additional cost, a food program that has helped Aims achieve a hunger-free campus status, and numerous affinity student groups to help students become more meaningfully involved in campus life.

While all programs at colleges and universities exist to serve students, it takes planning and intentionality to find the right employees to move colleges forward. It is important for higher education institutions to reflect on their recruitment practices, and evaluate their salaries not only within the higher education sector, but to also compare them to other sectors. Once employees are onboarded, continuing with meaningful, diversified professional development and growth opportunities will keep talented employees at institutions for longer.

4. How is Aims Community College using technology and digital transformation to improve operations and ensure students receive good quality education? Are there specific innovations that have had a significant impact?

Aims Community College is leveraging technology and digital transformation to enhance operations and improve education quality through:

Developing a new application and communication system, including an AI chatbot, which supports both prospective and current students. This new system will also be multilingual, allowing students from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds to be equally well-supported

Additionally, students now have digital literacy development support woven into their onboarding and learning experiences. This is intended to provide scaffolded support for students and bridge gaps in technology prowess among students.

Finally, by leveraging digital and open-resource articles and texts, we can reduce the costs students face while earning their certificates or degrees.

5. What advice would you give to emerging professionals looking to innovate and grow within the education industry? What key considerations and potential challenges should they be mindful of?

There is some advice that I think is fairly universal and others that can be specifically applied to higher education. Universally, some of the most important facets for emerging professionals to consider are: what do you stand for (your ethics and morals), what are your goals mid-term and long-term, and what are your boundaries? Mission statements and visions are not just for 5-year strategy meetings with board members; everyone should develop a vision for their path in life and embrace the lessons that will come along the way. Stay humble, be open to coaching, and be ready to learn through listening and observing.

There is an old adage of being a lifelong learner, and it is particularly salient in higher education. To avoid the ivory tower syndrome, it is vital to listen to students, connect with the community, and stay aware of shifts happening locally and nationally. The United States is a unique place to live and work because of how diverse our communities and workplaces are. The intersection of so many cultural and generational practices allows us a fabulous insight into how people connect and what their motivations might be. In the midst of that, we need to remember why we are all here.

Our mission is to support and enhance student learning while providing pathways to help individuals craft a better future for themselves and their families. Use data and research-backed methods to improve student services and embrace collaborating with old and new partners. When you face resistance, remain calm. Step back, be a humble inquirer, and patiently explore additional avenues. The right solution at the wrong time is the wrong solution, so sometimes, time is the essential piece to solving a problem. You never know when your newest collaborator is around the corner, and they might just be the missing element to taking student services to the next level.

Digital Transformation

Financial

Artificial Intelligence