Brendan Kelly became president of the ASU System in September. He previously was president of the University of West Georgia. He began his career as a professor of communication arts before becoming VP of university advancement and president of the UWF Foundation Inc. at the University of West Florida and then chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Kelly has a bachelor’s in public relations and master’s in communication from Eastern Michigan University and a doctorate in rhetoric and political communication from Wayne State University.
How is the ASU System working to retain talented graduates within the state?
If we offer a rich quality of life in Arkansas coupled with robust professional opportunities upon which graduates can build their lives, then they will stay in the state. If we don’t, they won’t. Therefore, as the ASU System connects with partners in industry and helps students acquire the education and capabilities needed for current industry talent needs as well as the future of work, we are setting the stage for graduates to remain in their communities and Arkansas. For instance, graduates of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University are far more likely to consider practicing medicine in Arkansas, and we expect the same with graduates of our new College of Veterinary Medicine and other programs.
How has artificial intelligence affected higher education and the ASU System specifically?
We are in the early stages of assessing AI options — from learning in the classrooms to enhancing services to students and employees. A-State has just initiated an AskHowl chatbot program to help connect with students, increase their persistence and increase retention. ASU-Newport launched an AI course to equip students and community members with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI technology for enhanced productivity.
What trends are you seeing in higher education and how is the ASU System addressing them?
University systems are incredibly complex organizations. However, we must become more nimble and responsive to the talent needs of industry while shaping education around equipping students with the long-term problem-solving and learning capabilities that will allow them to successfully navigate all the seasons of their careers and lives. Nurturing a collaborative and responsive, student-centered culture of innovation and continuous improvement for the ASU System and all its component institutions are essential to our long-term success and impact. We have a number of example-setting workforce training programs across the system in partnership with companies such as John Deere, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and FedEx, and we want to continue to escalate cooperative programs like these.
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