Please share a bit about your background.
I’m Devon Taylor, and I live in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, with my wife and our two wonderful children, Ethan and Sophia, who are nine and three years old. I've been working in higher education for the past 12 years. My journey here was unexpected—I initially trained as a history teacher, earning my undergraduate degree and master's in teaching. However, after struggling to find a teaching position, I transitioned to higher education IT, a move I've cherished ever since.
How has IT evolved since you started in the field?
The IT landscape has changed significantly over the past 12 years. Software as a service has become much more prevalent, leading to increased integrations and software management responsibilities. IT now works closely with counterparts across the institution to ensure successful use of these tools.
While traditional infrastructure like the internet and computers remains essential, the shift towards cloud and SaaS models is evident. Many applications are no longer hosted on-premise but managed by third-party vendors, lightening the load on IT departments, especially smaller teams.
IT governance remains a challenge, with university counterparts often drawn to shiny new technologies without consulting IT. This highlights the importance of being involved in the decision-making process to ensure data security and compliance. Additionally, the rise of shadow IT, where unauthorized software is used, poses risks to data security and business processes if not managed properly.
How do you build an optimal IT team for your operational needs?
When building a team, technical expertise is crucial. However, I emphasize to my team that we are all in the customer service field. People typically come to IT with problems, so it's essential to approach these interactions positively and with empathy. I look for individuals who are not only skilled but also excel in working with others and can defuse challenging situations.
At Shenandoah University, we serve approximately 4,300 students, 450 faculty, several hundred staff, and many adjuncts. Our IT team consists of 28 members, organized into four main areas: network and infrastructure, enterprise systems, client services, and compliance and security. We have a dedicated group focused on addressing regulatory requirements, reflecting the growing importance of data security and compliance in higher education.
What has been your greatest achievement working in IT?
One of our greatest achievements has been our proactive approach to technology. We were among the first ones in Virginia to implement single sign-on and multi-factor authentication, as well as appoint a security officer for our institution. These initiatives, along with successfully transitioning our storage to the cloud and migrating to Gmail from on-premise exchange in 2009, have been key accomplishments. However, our ambition to tackle numerous projects simultaneously has sometimes led to challenges with timelines.
What are the biggest challenges for students today?
Today, students face increasing demands and expectations in terms of technology usage. While they are digital natives, it doesn't mean they are experts in all digital technologies. Faculty expectations, from using laptops and tablets to AR and VR goggles continue to evolve, making it challenging for students to keep up. Despite growing up with technology, students still need support and guidance in navigating these tools effectively.
What are some exciting applications of AI in HE?
My first encounter with AI dates back to 2012 when I started using Google Photos. Back then, the idea of image recognition seemed like science fiction. However, with Google Photos, suddenly you could search for a person's face and see all the related pictures. This sparked my fascination with AI, especially as a tech enthusiast always eager to explore new advancements.
When I discovered OpenAI and its early GPT models, I was amazed by the possibilities. I got early access to the beta site and experimented with text generation, which blew my mind. Since then, the pace of AI development has only accelerated. It's sometimes overwhelming to grasp the rapid progress and anticipate what's next.
In higher education, I'm particularly excited about AI's implications. Multimodal AI models are democratizing creativity, enabling people without extensive training to create coding, images, and even videos. This explosion of creative potential is an incredible opportunity for students, allowing them to bring their ideas to life in ways they couldn't before.
From an operational perspective, AI offers significant advantages for small schools with limited resources. AI can serve as a tool for idea generation, planning, and development, helping institutions do more with less. The future is bright, and I'm thrilled to see how AI will continue to transform education and operations alike.
Has human-crafted output become more valuable?
While AI will undoubtedly expand creative possibilities, there may be an increased value placed on manual, non-AI creations. Just as handcrafted items are often more valued than mass-produced goods, there could be a similar trend in the art world. Artists who paint or draw without using AI might become more sought after because their work is seen as more authentic and unique. While AI can do many things, only a select few can create art in the traditional, non-AI way.
How are institutions approaching AI?
Institutions are still grappling with the implications of AI in higher education. Policies are being developed to guide faculty on how AI should be incorporated into syllabi, ensuring students use AI responsibly and understand its implications. It's crucial to prepare students for a workforce where AI is increasingly prevalent. For operations, data privacy concerns have been a major issue, but with the introduction of more secure AI tools, institutions are more open to adopting AI for operational purposes. Leadership is generally supportive, and there is a strong push to explore how AI can enhance institutional operations and student learning.
How can you integrate AI into the writing process?
Some faculty are incorporating AI into the writing process by using it as a tool for generating prompts and initial ideas. Students then iterate on these prompts, using them as a starting point to improve their writing. This approach encourages students to think critically about their prompts and how they can enhance them. Faculty are integrating this process into assignments, asking students to submit their prompts and show how they have evolved them over time. This integration transforms AI from a mere tool for generating papers into a valuable resource for improving writing skills.
How can AI support data analytics for institutions?
AI offers exciting possibilities for data analytics in higher education, particularly for institutions without dedicated data scientists. Traditionally, these institutions have had to rely on external vendors for statistical analysis of student data. AI changes this dynamic by enabling users to interact with large datasets conversationally. For example, using AI models like ChatGPT, users can discuss their data and receive statistical analyses and visualizations in minutes, a process that previously would have taken days. This capability streamlines data analysis and empowers institutions to make data-driven decisions more efficiently.
How do you test AI tools?
Over the past six months, we've been experimenting with various AI tools to determine which ones are most suitable for our needs. With the proliferation of AI tools in the market, it's crucial to find the right fit. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for AI; it's job and task-specific. For instance, our marketing and admissions teams might benefit from Adobe's AI tools for the Adobe suite, while Google Gemini or ChatGPT could be more suitable for tasks involving text generation and email drafting. The key takeaway is that AI tools need to be tailored to specific job functions and tasks to maximize their effectiveness.
How can AI be integrated with the SIS?
Student Information Systems (SIS) represent a legacy component at many institutions, and integrating AI into these systems is an ongoing challenge. While many software vendors are incorporating AI into their products, SIS systems have been slower to adopt this technology. However, the potential for AI integration in SIS is significant, particularly in terms of data querying and reporting. For example, imagine the efficiency gains in accounting if the SIS could generate reports based on specific queries, such as compiling a list of students with a particular scholarship. While AI integration in SIS may still be on the horizon, the benefits it could bring in terms of data accessibility and analysis are promising.
Task automation, facilitated by AI, is rapidly advancing and is poised to become more widespread. Companies like UiPath have pioneered Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which records tasks performed on screen and uses AI to replicate them. Recent advancements are expanding the possibilities of task automation, such as using Google Gemini to create scripts for repetitive tasks like data entry. This trend indicates a future where mundane tasks can be automated, freeing up time for more strategic work.
What’s the main challenge of Adopting AI in Higher Education?
The sheer volume of AI advancements can be overwhelming, leading many to feel unsure of where to begin or how to integrate AI into their daily routines. While most people experience a "wow" moment when they see the potential of AI, they often lack the time or knowledge to fully explore its implications for their work. IT departments can play a crucial role in guiding individuals through the process, demonstrating what is possible and helping them develop small-scale use cases to gradually incorporate AI into their workflows.
What’s that secret ingredient to driving AI adoption in HE?
Many individuals with history degrees find themselves drawn to law school or other research-intensive fields due to their love for reading and learning. Similarly, my passion for learning has been a driving force in my career. I've pursued education relentlessly, always seeking to expand my knowledge. This passion is crucial in IT, where change is constant. With new technologies and advancements emerging regularly, being open to change and embracing learning is essential. Adapting to these changes is challenging, but it's a skill we must cultivate in today's rapidly evolving world.
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