EdTech Unleashed: Charting the Course for Higher Ed in 2024

Asim Ali

Executive Director, Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, Auburn University

Dr. Asim Ali is the executive director of the Biggio Center, where he oversees a team of over 90 professionals, graduate students, and staff members in the advancement of the center’s mission of providing professional development programs, services, and resources to enhance instructional innovation and support scholarly and creative activities. Asim co-leads Auburn’s augmented and virtual reality initiative, AUX, and works on artificial intelligence for the Office of the Provost. Under his leadership as the founding director of Auburn Online from 2014 to 2019, the University expanded its online course offerings by more than 300 percent and launched its first fully online degree completion programs in 2018. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Asim teaches Introduction to Information Systems Management in the Harbert College of Business and is active in several professional organizations. 

Mordecai Ian Brownlee

WCET Executive Council, President, Community College of Aurora

@ItsDrMordecaiLinkedIn Profile

Dr. Mordecai I. Brownlee is an inclusive educator who proudly serves as the sixth president of the Community College of Aurora. Within the first two years of his presidency, President Brownlee has already brought about significant change and improved the student success agenda at the Community College of Aurora. These successes include CCA embarking upon its first capital project in 24 years, record-breaking capital and scholarship fundraising, hiring CCA’s largest and most diverse faculty ranks in the college’s history, and improved student completions by more than 20%. 

Dr. Mordecai publishes frequently, including serving as a columnist for EdSurge. He also teaches at Lamar University and the University of Charleston. In 2023, Dr. Mordecai was named 40 Under 40 by the prestigious Denver Business Journal and Community Leader of the Year by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce recipient. Recently, Dr. Mordecai was featured as a “champion” of the U.S. Department of Education Unlocking Career Success Initiative. 

Amy Smith

Chief Learning Officer, StraighterLine

LinkedIn Profile

Amy Smith is an academic innovator devoted to increasing access to higher education. Her career spans many of the biggest institutions in the world of online higher education, including the University of Phoenix, Capella University, and Colorado State University (CSU) Online. Before joining StraighterLine, Amy served as the associate provost of CSU Online, where she was responsible for significantly increasing access and educational opportunity to students by offering graduate and undergraduate degrees and certificate programs online. Prior, Amy was dean of the School of Education for Capella University, where she was responsible for innovation and optimization of 38 graduate education programs. 

Megan Raymond

Senior Director, Membership and Programs, WCET

303-541-0233mraymond@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Megan has been with WCET since June of 2007. As the senior director of programs and membership, she oversees member recruitment and activities and manages various programs, most notably the Annual Meeting, Summits, monthly webcasts, and Closer Conversations. Megan brings 20 years of higher education experience to her current position and holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fort Lewis College and a master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Education. Prior to joining the WCET team, Megan worked as the assistant director for student housing and conference services at a small liberal arts college where she was entrenched in student affairs.

In her spare time, Megan enjoys racing mountain bikes, skiing, and chasing her son on his bike or feet. Her two rescue pups include a 75-pound lap dog and a quite cunning shepherd mix whom she is sure is plotting to take over the world. Megan’s favorite television character is Saul Goodman from Better Call Saul.