About This Episode
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sage Sirotkin, Director of Digital Student Engagement, to discuss ASU Prep Digital—Arizona State University’s innovative program that gives high school students a head start on college.
Dr. Sirotkin explains how the program allows students to earn up to 70 college credits before they even set foot on campus, giving them a unique advantage as they enter higher education.
We also dive into:
- The flexible, personalized approach to learning that helps students succeed at their own pace
- How ASU Prep Digital is making college more accessible and preparing students for success from day one
- The role of digital engagement and support in empowering students to be college-ready
This episode is full of insights for educators, students, and anyone interested in how the future of education is evolving to better serve today’s learners.
Host & Guest
Dr. Sage Sirotkin
GuestDr. Sage Sirotkin is a passionate and innovative educational leader with nearly three decades of experience advancing learning in both physical and online settings. Her work centers on fostering student engagement through academically relevant technologies and promoting equitable, accessible, and globally connected learning environments.
Throughout her career, Dr. Sirotkin has been at the forefront of educational innovation—developing programs and professional development initiatives that bridge theory and real-world application. Her leadership emphasizes preparing students and educators alike to thrive in the digital age through critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
A champion of accessibility and inclusion, she is deeply committed to removing barriers to education and ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to succeed. Whether through the design of technology-enhanced instruction or the implementation of forward-thinking literacy and learning initiatives, Dr. Sirotkin continues to shape the future of education with a vision grounded in innovation and equity.
She holds a Ph.D. in Education (Learning, Instruction, and Innovation), an M.Ed. in Literacy/Reading, a B.A. in English and Social Studies, and a Certificate in Global Development and Innovation.
Key Highlights:
1. Nearly 30 years of experience driving innovation in education.
2. Expert in technology-integrated learning, literacy, and instructional design.
3. Dedicated to accessibility, equity, and student-centered learning.
4. Developer of impactful professional development and digital-age learning models.
5. Visionary leader preparing students and educators for global success.
Ashish Fernando
HostFounder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 0:00 Dr. Sage Serotkin shares a powerful principle from ASU Prep Digital
- 2 2:38 Dr. Serotkin describes her non-traditional entry into education, sparked by a childhood conversation about PhDs, which later ignited her lifelong passion for learning.
- 3 4:50 Recounts her father’s skepticism about college
- 4 10:55 A supervisor's advice reaffirmed her belief in student-first leadership
- 5 14:02 The “All Kids Can” student panel initiative
- 6 22:59 Launch and failure of the Sun Devil Success Sections program
- 7 30:11 Success stories of students graduating high school with 60+ college credits
Key Quotes
"If you're making that decision for that student that is in the best interest of that student… even if it's not policy—we're going to back you. Because that’s what it's about."
"Each one student has this whole world they bring with them… that decides, with your help or not, whether or not they’re going to be successful."
Resources
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