Affordable Degrees-at-Scale Symposium
The Affordable Degrees-at-Scale (ADSS) Symposium is the preeminent event for higher education leaders to engage in intensive conversations on the strategies, trends, and challenges associated with scaled degree programs. First held in 2017, the Symposium has since grown into a dynamic convergence around Higher Education’s most pressing topics where leaders collaborate and innovate.
One of the core benefits of this symposium is its ability to facilitate candid, meaningful conversations among participants. Attendees (both virtual and in-person) will explore best practices that enable institutions to create, grow, and sustain at-scale, affordable degree programs. For that reason, our theme this year is an exciting one - A Decade of Scaled Degrees. In honor of the 10-year anniversary of OMSCS – the degree that broke the mold – we'll be developing a compelling agenda that explores what we have learned, where we are now, and the future of where we are going. We are also pleased to announce that this year’s DEMOcon will be held at the same venue and immediately after the Affordable Degrees-at-Scale Symposium. We hope many of you will be able to join us for both events.
2024 Program Details
Keynote Speaker
Raj Echambadi became the 10th president of Illinois Institute of Technology in August 2021. Echambadi’s vision for Illinois Tech is centered on a new path to preeminence driven by four principles: first, honoring and strengthening the university’s role as an engine of opportunity and a national leader in economic mobility; second, pursuing growth through reimagining education to serve learners at all stages of life; third, fueling future innovation by empowering students; and fourth, exemplifying purpose-driven citizenship in service of the Bronzeville neighborhood, Chicago, and the world. Previously, Echambadi served as the dean of D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University.
Before joining Northeastern, Echambadi served in various roles, including as senior associate dean of strategic innovation, at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a driving force behind a scaled online M.B.A. (iMBA) program that was lauded as one of the best educational innovations in the past decade. Echambadi received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Anna University in India and a doctorate in marketing from the University of Houston. His academic research focuses on strategic innovation within organizations and how firms should balance current and future opportunities. He has won numerous teaching and research accolades including the prestigious Academy of Management Journal Best Paper Award for his work on employee entrepreneurship.
Registration Information
Registration Fees | In-Person - $500* | Virtual - $100
In-person registration includes access to the full symposium, including all sessions and networking events like the welcome reception and dinner. This year's event will once again offer a select portion of the experience virtually for a reduced cost.
Ready to register? Please visit this page.
*An in-person registration discount is available for Georgia Tech employees.
Symposium Schedule
Monday, October 14
2- 3 p.m. | On-site Check-in
3 p.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks
A Decade of Scaled Degrees
Ronnie Godshalk, Warren Goetzel & David Joyner, Georgia Tech
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Panel*
The Origin Story of Affordable Degrees-at-Scale: A Dean, Faculty, and Learning Systems’ Team Perspective
Nelson Baker & Alex Orso, Georgia Tech; Yakut Gazi, Duke University
Moderator: Ronnie Godshalk, Georgia Tech
4:30 – 5:45 p.m. | Afternoon Sessions*
Online Master of Science in Computer Science: Building the Curriculum and the Faculty
Zvi Galil & David Joyner, Georgia Tech
6 – 8 p.m. | Networking Reception, Global Learning Center Atrium (1st floor)
Tuesday, October 15
7:45 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
8:30 a.m. | Welcome*
Where Have We Been/Where Are We Going with Affordable Degrees-at-Scale
Nelson Baker, Georgia Tech
8:45 – 10 a.m. | Keynote*
Scaling Degrees to Unleash Human Potential: The AI–Driven Future of Education
Raj Echambadi, Illinois Institute of Technology
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. | Morning Sessions*
The Impact of AIGenerative AI to Enhance Student Learning
Tawnya Means, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Angela Paladino, University of MelbournePersonal AI Career Development Assistant
Tawnya Means, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Morning Sessions*
Affordability and Business Process SessionsFuture-Proofing Land-Grant Education
Blake Naughton, Gary Packard & Caleb Simmons, University of Arizona Global CampusAI Act in Europe
Maaike van Buul, Delft University of TechnologyInnovation in Business Office Processes
Randall Fullington & Sarah Layton, University of Colorado BoulderCourse Migration and Asset Management
Eric Busch & Kasey Ford, University of Texas at Austin
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch, Global Learning Center Atrium (1st floor)
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. | Afternoon Sessions
Maintaining Innovation SessionsHuman Required? Predicting Student Success Using AI in Massive Online Open Course Environments
Ronnie Godshalk, Jonna Lee, Eric Sembrat & Meryem Yilmaz Soylu, Georgia TechPlatform to Improve Collaborative Learning Communities in At-Scale Online Programs
Meryem Yilmaz Soylu & Lina Kim, Georgia TechExtreme Makeover – Massive Online Open Courses Edition
Leo Christensen & Peter Graening, Georgia Tech
3 – 4:15 p.m.
Online Master’s in AI Program: Creating Change
Carrie Berger, Holly Fiock Brown & Bryan DeWitt, Purdue UniversityMaster’s Level Research in At-Scale Programs
Eric Busch & Kasey Ford, University of Texas at AustinNew Program Launches at the University of Colorado Boulder
Randall Fullington, University of Colorado BoulderDevelopment of European At-Scale Programs
Maaike van Buul, Delft University of Technology
4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
Panel: Commitment to Access and Affordability at Highly Selective Institutions
Yakut Gazi, Duke University; Quentin McAndrew, Coursera; Joelle Miles, University of California, Berkley; Kelly Otter, Georgetown UniversityDartmouth's Online Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering
Zofia Gajdos, Bethany Iyobe & Kendrick Watson, Dartmouth College
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Dinner
Wednesday, October 16
7:45 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
8:30 a.m. | Welcome
Ronnie Godshalk, Georgia Tech8:45 – 10 a.m. | Morning Sessions
Teaching and Learning SessionsLatest Trends in Skill Gaps
Quentin McAndrew, CourseraTen Years of Online Project-Based Learning at Scale
David Joyner & Chaohua Ou, Georgia TechOpen, Collaborative and AI Augmented Peer Assessments
David Joyner & Chaohua Ou, Georgia TechAI for Teaching and Learning
Carlos Delgado Kloos, University of Carlos III, Madrid
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Large Language Models used as Subject Matter Experts
Frederick Wehrle, University of California, Los AngelesUsing ReAct with Large Language Models
Meryem Yilmaz Soylu, Adrian Gallard & Jonna Lee, Georgia TechGenerative AI Used for At-Scale Assignments and Learning Activities
Vincent Spezzo, Georgia Tech
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Panel: Managing AI Implementation After the Hype
Caleb Simmons, University of Arizona, Frederick Wehrle, University of California, Los Angeles
Moderator: Warren Goetzel, Georgia Tech
12:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks
Grab and Go (or Sit and Stay) Lunch, Global Learning Center Atrium (1st floor)
*Sessions offered for virtual attendees
All in-person events will be held in the Global Learning Center, located in Tech Square.
State of Scale Survey
We are collecting input from the community on the current state of scale. In this short survey, you can provide your feedback on the growth and challenges scaled programs have seen over the last 10 years.
2024 Advisory Board
Nerissa Brown, Associate Dean, Gies School of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Eric Busch, Director for Online Programs, University of Texas at Austin
Maaike van Buul, Delft University of Technology, Extension School for Continuing Education, Portfolio and Product Manager
Jarrett Carter, Associate Vice President for Integrative Learning Design, University of Maryland Global Campus
Yakut Gazi, Vice Provost for Learning Innovation and Digital Education, Duke University, Professor of the Practice, Social Sciences Research Institute
Randall Fullington, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Academic & Learning Innovation, Office of Academic and Learning Innovation, University of Colorado Boulder
Tawnya Means, Assistant Dean for Education Innovation and Chief Learning Officer, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Quentin McAndrew, Academic Strategist, Coursera and former Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director, Strategic Transformation, University Financial Futures, University of Colorado Boulder
Symposium Location
The in-person portions of the symposium will be held at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Midtown Atlanta in the heart of Tech Square - Atlanta's thriving innovation community. Easily accessible from Interstates 75/85 and just 15 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Attached to the Center is The Tech Square parking deck that offers convenient hourly and daily rates.
