About This Episode
WIn this thought-provoking episode of Edu Unlocked, host Ashish Fernando is joined by Dr. Marc Austin, Vice Provost and Managing Director, Montclair Unbound and Former Associate Provost and Dean at Augusta University Online, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of online education, student engagement, and digital transformation in higher ed.
Dr. Austin shares how Augusta University has rapidly scaled its online education infrastructure, achieving a remarkable 94% student persistence rate in its very first year—far surpassing national averages. The conversation goes beyond just numbers, exploring how human-centered design, strategic planning, and smart use of technology can radically reshape the student experience.
Who should watch this episode?
This episode is a must-watch for:
1. University Presidents, CIOs, and Deans
2. Enrollment and Student Success Leaders3. EdTech professionals and instructional designers
3. Anyone looking to integrate AI, data, and design thinking into higher ed without losing the human touch
Host & Guest
Dr. Marc Austin
GuestVice Provost and Managing Director, Montclair Unbound
Dr. Jason Austin is an innovative higher education leader and nationally recognized expert in online learning, workforce development, and continuing education. As the Inaugural Vice Provost and Managing Director of Montclair Unbound at Montclair State University, he leads a university-wide initiative to remove barriers to higher education—empowering learners to access high-quality programs anytime, anywhere, and on their own terms.
Through Montclair Unbound, Dr. Austin oversees the university’s strategic digital transformation, expanding fully online and hybrid offerings while deepening partnerships with corporate, governmental, and community organizations. His work focuses on making education more flexible, equitable, and responsive to the evolving needs of students, alumni, and lifelong learners.
A former management consultant with expertise in organizational strategy, transformation, and design, Dr. Austin brings a unique blend of corporate and academic experience to his leadership. He is deeply committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and student success through human-centered design and data-informed decision-making.
Key Achievements:
1. Leads Montclair Unbound, a strategic university-wide initiative to expand access through online, hybrid, and digital learning.
2. Provides vision and oversight for development, marketing, and recruitment of flexible, high-impact programs.
3. Builds partnerships with corporate and governmental organizations to strengthen workforce pathways.
4. Specializes in online program management, educational assessment, and student-centric design thinking.
5. Drives academic innovation through strategy formulation, organizational transformation, and digital leadership.
6. Recognized for advancing access, belonging, and lifelong learning through flexible education models.
7. Experienced in strategy development, performance management, financial analysis, and change management.
8. Known as a forward-thinking, people-centered leader dedicated to building organizations that inspire purpose and impact.
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 - Why the term online education may soon be obsolete—and what that means for the future of learning
- 2 5:10 - How to design online programs with student success at the core, not as an afterthought
- 3 10:30 - Key insights into adult learners, non-traditional students, and the changing face of undergraduate demographics
- 4 17:45 - The importance of executive function and community in online learning models
- 5 24:20 - What institutions can learn from consulting frameworks to close capability gaps in digital education
- 6 31:15 - A candid look at the ethical challenges and implementation hurdles of AI in student services
- 7 37:50 - Why instructional design in online courses might be more rigorous—and effective—than traditional models
Key Quotes
"Education is education—it’s just delivered in different ways."
"Persistence isn’t just a data point—it’s a reflection of connection, design, and support."
Resources
Supercharge Your University CRM