Mastering the Next

Ep. 31: What’s Next for the Role of Liberal Arts & Sciences in AI Technology?

Episode Summary

This episode covers one of Ray’s favorite topics – the liberal arts and sciences.  As colleges and universities are pressured to demonstrate the return on investment for their cost of attendance, many have prioritized science, technology and engineering fields with higher employability and starting salaries.  This has shifted focus from the liberal arts at a time when AI technology is becoming more central to higher education.  Bryce Pendleton, Vice President of Brand & Technology at Southern Virginia University joins the podcast to explore the future of liberal arts education in the context of AI technology.

Episode Notes

This episode covers one of Ray’s favorite topics – the liberal arts and sciences.  As colleges and universities are pressured to demonstrate the return on investment for their cost of attendance, many have prioritized science, technology and engineering fields with higher employability and starting salaries.  This has shifted focus from the liberal arts at a time when AI technology is becoming more central to higher education.  Bryce Pendleton, Vice President of Brand & Technology at Southern Virginia University joins the podcast to explore the future of liberal arts education in the context of AI technology.

Guest Name: Bryce Pendleton, Vice President of Brand & Technology at Southern Virginia University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-pendleton-a5181a22/

Guest Bio: Bryce Pendleton is the Vice President for Brand and Technology at Southern Virginia University, where he collaborates with various offices to address the university's technology needs and provides stewardship for its branding efforts. He previously served as Director of Information Technology Services, a role in which he has led multiple major initiatives, including the launch of a new university website, calendar, and curriculum management platform. His leadership also facilitated the implementation of a cutting-edge integration platform to enhance software interfaces across campus.

Since 2016, he has overseen Southern Virginia’s brand and digital presence, playing a key role in the development of the university’s updated visual identity and contributing to its successful Apple Distinguished School applications in 2019 and 2022. His work emphasizes the importance of digital tools that reflect the university’s brand promise of personalized and transformative education, ensuring that students and employees alike have the resources they need to thrive.

A graduate and valedictorian of Southern Virginia University in 2010, Pendleton majored in both art and politics while also excelling as a member of the men’s basketball team and the student association executive council. He later earned a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech, where he was honored with the 2013 Bill Brown award for excellence in graduate studies. After a successful career in architectural design, Pendleton returned to Southern Virginia in 2016 as an adjunct instructor and has since become a key leader in the university’s branding and technology initiatives. He currently resides in Lexington, Virginia, with his family.