About This Episode
In this inspiring episode of Edu Unlocked, host Ashish Fernando sits down with Don Welch, Chief Information Officer at New York University, to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose in higher education.From his early days at West Point and a 25-year Army career to receiving the White House Champion of Change Award, Don shares his journey of service, leadership, and transformation.💡 Key discussion points:Why people—not technology—are at the heart of innovationLessons in leadership from the U.S. Army to higher edHow NYU is balancing AI, automation, and the human touchBuilding high-performing teams and empowering future CIOsThe story behind Don’s $140M broadband project and White House recognition👀 Whether you’re a university leader, tech innovator, or just curious about the human side of AI in education, this episode offers timeless insights and leadership lessons.🎧 Listen now and get inspired by the changemakers shaping the future of higher education.
Host & Guest
Don Welch
GuestDr. Don Welch is the Vice President of Information Technology and Global University Chief Information Officer at New York University, a role he has held since 2021. He oversees NYU’s worldwide technology strategy, information security, and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that IT infrastructure supports the mission of a global research institution.
Before joining NYU, Dr. Welch served as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Pennsylvania State University, where he was also an Affiliate Professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Prior to Penn State, he was the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the University of Michigan, overseeing cybersecurity across all campuses and the Health System. At both universities, he played a critical role in aligning information assurance with institutional strategy. He also served on the Michigan Governor’s Cyber Security Advisory Council and co-authored the state’s Cyber Strategic Plan.
From 2006 to 2014, Dr. Welch served as CEO of Merit Network, where he led the development of the internationally recognized Michigan Cyber Range and oversaw the construction of 2,400 miles of fiber optic cable through the 2009 federal stimulus initiative. His leadership earned national recognition, including being named a White House Champion of Change, Top CEO for Michigan, and Leader and Innovator of the Year.
A retired U.S. Army Colonel, Dr. Welch concluded his military service as CIO and Professor of Computer Science at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Earlier assignments included commanding infantry companies and platoons, serving with the Army’s counterterrorist unit Delta Force, and leading personnel operations for the Army’s uniformed IT workforce. He has authored more than three dozen publications in cybersecurity and software engineering and frequently speaks at national conferences.
Dr. Welch holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, an M.S. in Computer Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a B.S. from West Point. He also earned paratrooper wings and the Ranger Tab.
Key Highlights:
1. Vice President of Information Technology & Global University CIO, NYU
2. Former CIO and Affiliate Professor, Penn State University
3. Former CISO, University of Michigan (campuses + Health System)
4. Former CEO, Merit Network; creator of the Michigan Cyber Range
5. White House Champion of Change and multiple state/national leadership awards
6. Retired U.S. Army Colonel; former CIO and Computer Science Professor at West Point
7. Extensive experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, and IT leadership
8. Author of 35+ publications in cybersecurity and software engineering
9. Ph.D. (University of Maryland); M.S. (Cal Poly); B.S. (West Point); Ranger Tab & Paratrooper-qualified
Ashish Fernando Founder & CEO, EDMO
HostAshish 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 – Opening conversation about Don’s background, White House visit, and Champion of Change Award
- 2 0:38 – Introduction of guest Don Welch, CIO at New York University
- 3 2:10 – Ashish shares NYU’s global reputation and Don’s leadership roles at Penn State & Dartmouth
- 4 3:20 – “Why higher ed?” Don explains his journey from West Point, a 25-year Army career, and discovering a passion for technology
- 5 5:40 – Don reflects on service, purpose, and why higher ed matters
- 6 6:55 – What Don would do if not in higher ed—interest in law enforcement and public service
- 7 8:05 – Discussion on recent Utah incident and intersection of higher ed & law enforcement
- 8 9:30 – Shift to technology leadership and AI’s rapid evolution in higher education
- 9 10:45 – Don’s perspective on AI: long-standing techniques, timeless tech principles, and how NYU evaluates adoption
- 10 12:20 – Role of faculty, research, and NYU’s AI Center of Excellence
- 11 14:10 – Don explains how technology roles evolve—automation increases, but human insight becomes even more important
- 12 15:30 – Ashish highlights the irreplaceable value of human connection in the student journey despite advancements in AI
Key Quotes
“As crazy as higher education can be, it’s worth it. We support research and help develop young people who will shape the future.”
“The principles that have guided technology for 60 years still apply to AI—understand the data, the reliability, and the purpose. The fundamentals haven’t changed.”
“AI will automate tasks, but it can’t replace human connection. Technology should improve processes, not remove the human experience.”
Resources
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