In this episode, Kelsey Peterson sits down with Erin Hill, Vice President of Strategic Projects at Jessup University, to explore how the institution is pioneering the integration of AI into higher education. Erin shares the story behind Jessup Plus AI, a groundbreaking initiative centered around their custom-built chatbot, “Jessie.”
Together, they discuss how Jessie personalizes learning for students, frees up professors for deeper mentorship, and accelerates course design—all while keeping academic rigor and credibility intact. Erin also reflects on the evolving role of faculty in an AI-driven classroom, the challenges of building trust in new technology, and why universities that resist experimenting with AI risk being left behind.
Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or simply curious about the intersection of AI and learning, this episode offers a front-row seat to the future of higher education.
Key Moments
01:00 Launching Jessup Plus AI with Axio LMS
01:39 Jessie the Chatbot: Flipped Classroom, Socratic Tutor, and Task Copilot
02:19 Surprising Ways Students Personalize Learning
03:16 Designing Assessments Tailored to Student Industries
04:29 Beta Testing, Iteration, and Adding Learning Levels
11:39 Vetting AI Outputs: Frameworks and Reliability
13:46 Designing the Right Framework for AI in Education
15:03 Testing AI Behavior as a “Student”
31:20 How to Safely Start Experimenting with AI in Higher Ed
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you care about the future of higher education, the responsible use of AI, or how faculty roles are evolving, you’ll find this conversation with Erin Hill inspiring. From personalized learning pathways and real-world assessments to mentorship opportunities and internships, Jessup’s approach demonstrates how AI can elevate—not replace—the human touch in education.
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