Media Project

April 24, 2025 | EDLD 5317 | Spring 2025

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

InnovateEd: The Future of Higher Ed

In this project, I focus on the future of student success in higher education by introducing an innovation plan centered around AI-powered student portals. Through research, real-world interviews, and strategic planning, I explore how technology can streamline admissions, enhance advising, and ultimately improve student retention and graduation rates. My goal is to show that when human connection meets smart technology, we can build a more supportive, accessible, and successful educational experience for all students.

The Message

The core message of my podcast is that higher education must evolve to better support students through innovative, technology-driven solutions. By integrating AI-powered student portals into the admissions and advising processes, colleges and universities can provide real-time updates, personalized course recommendations, academic progress tracking, and overall enhanced communication. These improvements can help reduce student confusion, increase retention rates, and foster a more supportive, streamlined college experience. My goal is to emphasize that technology should not replace human connection—it should amplify it—allowing advisors and students to build stronger, more intentional relationships while navigating the path to graduation.

Throughout my research and podcast, I used credible sources to highlight the need for change:

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (2023), nearly 40% of college students never complete their degrees, often due to systemic confusion and lack of guidance.
The EDUCAUSE 2023 Horizon Report found that 59% of higher education leaders believe AI tools can significantly boost student success outcomes.
A McKinsey & Company Report (2023) indicated that institutions that implemented AI-driven systems saw improvements in both student satisfaction and on-time graduation rates.
Georgia State University increased graduation rates by 5 percentage points after leveraging predictive analytics to proactively support students.

These findings confirm that integrating AI technology into student support systems is not only innovative—it is necessary for the future of education.

The Data

The Planning

Creating this podcast involved careful planning to balance storytelling, expert opinion, student perspective, and research data within a clear, engaging structure.
First, I outlined the flow of the podcast, beginning with an introduction to the problem, followed by the presentation of my innovation plan. I then incorporated interview segments featuring both a professional (advisor) and a current student to provide real-world voices and strengthen credibility. Throughout the planning process, I made intentional choices about background music, visual slides, and overall pacing to maintain audience engagement. Finally, I ensured that the references were included to anchor the message in solid research, creating a thoughtful, well-rounded presentation that advocates for meaningful change in higher education.