About This Episode
What does the future of higher education look like when institutions prioritize flexibility, mission, and the evolving needs of adult learners?
In this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with Dr. Beth Martin, President of Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), for a powerful and personal conversation about her full-circle journey — from faculty member to program director, to founding dean, and now president.
Together, they explore:
1. Why NDNU shifted its focus from traditional undergrad to graduate and degree completion programs
2. The growing importance of supporting adult learners and post-traditional students
3. How learning management systems and AI are reshaping education delivery
4. What it really takes to become a university president — and why faculty experience matters
5. The role of education in solving global challenges like climate change
6. Building inclusive communities on and off campus
Dr. Martin shares invaluable leadership advice, her passion for social justice, and her hope for a more agile, student-first future in higher ed.
Whether you're an aspiring university leader, a policy maker, or just passionate about the future of learning — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from changemakers in education.
Host & Guest
Dr. Beth Martin
GuestPresident, Notre Dame de Namur University
Dr. Lizbeth “Beth” Martin is the 19th President of Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), where she has led a transformative period of renewal and reinvention. Under her leadership, NDNU successfully transitioned into a primarily graduate and online-focused institution, achieved its first year-over-year enrollment growth in more than a decade, and strengthened its long-term financial foundation—all while remaining deeply rooted in the Catholic values and social justice mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Appointed President in 2021, Dr. Martin has guided NDNU through major institutional milestones, including the launch of new online and hybrid graduate programs tailored to working professionals, a $3 million federal PPOHA grant to support underrepresented students, reaffirmation of the university’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation, and a comprehensive staff reorganization to empower emerging leaders. Her tenure also oversaw progress toward NDNU’s campus master plan and the responsible stewardship of its historic Belmont property.
Throughout her career, Dr. Martin has embodied the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur—championing access, equity, and the holistic education of every learner. A mission-driven leader and developmental psychobiologist by training, she brings a rare blend of academic, administrative, and human-centered expertise to institutional transformation.
Prior to returning to NDNU, Dr. Martin served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and later as Provost at Holy Names University (2006–2018), where she launched multiple new programs, established a robust Advising and Learning Resource Center, and strengthened advancement initiatives in donor relations and alumni engagement. She also served as Interim Provost and Senior Vice President at Gonzaga University, where she unified academic affairs, student affairs, and enrollment management under a new integrated Provost model.
Dr. Martin began her academic career at NDNU as faculty and program director in counseling psychology, later serving as the founding Dean of the School of Sciences. She earned her A.B. in Psychology from Brown University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Physiological and Developmental Psychology from Stanford University. She is also a licensed psychologist in California.
Key Achievements:
1. Led NDNU’s successful transition to a graduate and online learning model.
2. Secured $3 million federal PPOHA grant for underrepresented student support.
3. Oversaw reaffirmation of NDNU’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status.
4. Strengthened NDNU’s financial foundation and achieved renewed enrollment growth.
5. Pioneered NDNU’s first fully online courses as faculty and Dean of Sciences.
6. Unified academic and student affairs at Gonzaga University under a new Provost model.
7. Holds Ph.D. from Stanford University and A.B. from Brown University.
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 - Introduction to the issue of 30 million people in the U.S. with some college credits but no degree, highlighting efforts to encourage them to return to school.
- 2 1:13 - Introduction of Dr. Beth Martin, the 19th president of Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), emphasizing her inspirational leadership and full-circle journey.
- 3 2:38 - Dr. Martin discusses how her experience as a faculty member and dean helps her address issues faced by faculty and deans, providing a deeper understanding of their perspectives.
- 4 8:46 - Discussion about Dr. Martin’s decision to apply for the presidency of NDNU in 2021, after the board decided to close traditional undergraduate programs and focus on graduate and degree completion programs.
- 5 12:24 - Reiteration of the 30 million Americans with incomplete bachelor’s degrees, emphasizing the challenge of convincing them to return to school and the benefits of a degree.
- 6 15:28 - Advice for aspiring higher education leaders, recommending training programs like those offered by AAI, ACE, and the Council of Independent Colleges to prepare for leadership roles.
- 7 36:16 - Vision for the future of higher education, stressing the need for universities to move quickly, adapt to change, and recognize education as a critical tool for solving global issues like climate change.
Key Quotes
"The other piece of the future that I hope will happen is a recognition, a realization that education is the only tool we have to improve our future."
Resources
Supercharge Your University CRM