In this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with Heather Herrera, Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at San Francisco Bay University, to explore what it truly takes to drive meaningful change in higher education.

With over 25 years of experience across teaching, accreditation, institutional research, and program development, Heather brings a deeply grounded perspective on how transformation actually happens inside universities.

She challenges the idea that change can be driven through top-down mandates, emphasizing that real progress happens through people, not policies, memos, or systems alone. The conversation explores how institutions must identify the right enablers and remove structural obstacles to truly support student success.

Heather also shares a nuanced perspective on AI adoption in higher education. She explains why many leaders approach AI as a procurement decision, rather than as a tool to enhance teaching and learning. Instead, she advocates for a more intentional approach- one that involves building, training, and governing AI systems with strong attention to data access, privacy, and closed-loop accountability.

The discussion also highlights the importance of human-centered AI, where technology amplifies human effort rather than replacing it. Heather underscores the need to equip students with the skills to use AI responsibly and ethically in an evolving academic landscape.

This episode offers a thoughtful, practical perspective on leadership, innovation, and the future of higher education in an AI-driven world.