Ellucian CEO Laura Ipsen on Scaling Higher Education Solutions for a Changing World

17 snips

Dec 2, 2024

Laura Ipsen, the President and CEO of Ellucian, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of higher education technology. She discusses how AI is reshaping student engagement and retention, revealing findings from Ellucian's latest AI survey that highlight both excitement and skepticism. Ipsen explores the shifting definitions of ROI for degrees amidst rising tuition and the importance of innovative learning strategies. She also addresses the role of technology in alleviating FAFSA challenges, emphasizing the need for data-driven solutions that enhance accessibility and institutional efficiency.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

AI in Higher Ed: Excitement and Hesitancy

70% of higher ed administrators favor AI, but adoption remains low due to concerns about change management.
Key concerns include academic integrity, data security, critical thinking, and bias in AI models.

INSIGHT

AI Adoption to Increase

93% of higher ed professionals expect to expand AI use in the next two years, driven by personal use and perceived productivity gains.
AI may improve efficiency, freeing up resources for personalized student connections.

INSIGHT

Ellucian's Vision for Data Integration

Ellucian's SaaS platform aims to connect disparate data sources, enabling institutions to harness the power of AI.
Ellucian integrates with other edtech tools, prioritizing data interoperability and security.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Send us a text

Laura K. Ipsen is president and chief executive officer of Ellucian, the leading technology solutions provider for more than 2,900 higher education institutions in more than 50 countries. She has more than 25 years of experience as a technology executive in Silicon Valley, driving transformation in the public and private sectors and spurring adoption of comprehensive solutions in high-growth industries at Oracle Corporation, Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Earlier in her career, Ipsen also held leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Acer America, and Hitachi Data Systems.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI is transforming higher education, from predictive analytics to enrollment success.
Insights from Ellucian’s latest AI survey, highlighting adoption challenges and opportunities.
The evolving value of a four-year degree in a tech-driven job market.
How technology can alleviate FAFSA challenges and improve financial aid accessibility.
The potential of a holistic, data-driven approach to student engagement and success.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:45] Laura Ipsen on Ellucian’s AI survey and industry readiness for AI adoption.
[00:12:30] Demonstrating the ROI of degrees through skill alignment and data insights.
[00:18:50] The importance of SaaS and data integration for institutional efficiency.
[00:25:40] Addressing FAFSA challenges with technology-driven financial aid solutions.
[00:32:15] Using AI to predict and address student needs and improve retention.
[00:40:10] How the Journey platform connects education to lifelong career success.
[00:48:20] Revolutionizing higher ed productivity through AI-driven administration.

Resources Mentioned:

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.