LSU Online Hosts 2025 Spring Innovation Series Event: Courageous Leadership in Higher Education

On Feb. 24, 2025, LSU Online & Continuing Education (LSU OCE) hosted its annual Innovation Series Event—bringing together over 160 education leaders, industry experts, and professionals from 20 institutions across Louisiana to explore trends and best practices in online and continuing education. 
 
This year’s theme, “Courageous Leadership: Reshaping the Future for Higher Education,” highlighted how bold, learner-centered leadership can help universities meet evolving student needs, embrace emerging technologies, and respond to a changing job market.  

Event Speaker Sessions

The event began with two presentations by guest speakers Dr. Marni Baker Stein and Dr. Jill Buban. Both shared actionable strategies to create more accessible, empowering online learning experiences. 
 
Dr. Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera, kicked off this year’s theme of Courageous Leadership with her session, “Leading LSU’s Learner-Centered Transformation in Online Education.”  
 
She used case studies and bold leadership examples to show how LSU can better serve lifelong learners in a rapidly evolving workforce. She emphasized the growing need for flexible, workforce-aligned pathways that build lasting learner relationships and keep institutions competitive. Online education, she noted, is a scalable, high-impact tool, and institutions should leverage existing assets, maintain rigor while expanding access, and break through internal barriers to drive sustainable transformation. 
 
Dr. Jill Buban, a leader in higher education innovation, continued the conversation with her session “Scaling Down to Scale Up: Contributing to Global Priorities through Local Leadership.” 
 
She explored how institutions can tackle global challenges—like workforce alignment, skill gaps, and degree value—through scaling. She outlined three paths to scale: pay, purchase, and partner, emphasizing the need for sustainable financial models, leadership alignment, and equity-focused policies like transfer credit and stackable credentials. Scaling isn’t one-size-fits-all. Institutions must take a student-centered approach—leveraging technology, data, and systems while focusing on their unique strengths, constraints, and opportunities. 

Award Recognition: Honoring Impact and Excellence 

“Innovative Contributions to Online Learning" Award

• Dr. Cheryl Bardales, LSUA, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
• Nikki May, LSUE, Assistant Professor of General Business, Department Chair of Business & Technology
• Dr. Nathan Sammons, LSUA, Dean and Professor, College of STEM

"Embracing Change" Award

• Noel Melancon, Paralegal Studies Instructor

"Meeting Students' Needs" Award

• Dr. Clay Benton, LSU, University Registrar
• Victor Canada, LSU Professional Development Instructor
• Dr. Nelson Coulter, LSUS, Director of Master of Education Programs
• Tulin Koray, Adjunct Instructor of Economics

"Leading Transformation" Award

• Bridget Robicheaux, LSU, Academic Counselor, College of Engineering

Panel Discussion: Courageous and Transformative Leadership 

The event concluded with a panel discussion titled “Leading with Courage: Transforming the Future from Where You Are,” exploring how bold leaders across education and industry drive change by fostering growth, collaboration, and adaptability.  
 
Moderated by Kappie Mumphrey, Vice President of LSU OCE, the discussion covered: 

• the role and importance of leadership in learner advocacy
• creating a culture of innovation with transformational leadership
• being an effective leader in your sphere of influence 

Panelists included:

• Dr. Charles Berryman, Chair of the Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management, LSU
• Dr. Paul D. Coreil, Chancellor, LSU of Alexandria
• Dr. Missy Hopson, SVP Chief Learning and Workforce Development Officer, Ochsner Health System
• Dr. Jill C. Trepanier, Professor & Department Chair, LSU

Shape the Future with LSU Online & Continuing Education

The 2025 Spring Innovation Series Event reaffirmed LSU OCE’s commitment to fostering collaboration between educators and industry leaders to advance high-quality, learner-centered online education. 
 
Don’t miss the next Innovation Series—dates coming soon. Join us in person or virtually to connect, collaborate, and help shape the future of learning. 

For more information, contact Hala Esmail at hesmai1@lsu.edu.