In this energizing live episode, Dustin chats with Brian LeDuc—consultant, design strategist, and founder of Learning, Designed—about what it really takes to make higher ed more human-centered in an AI-drenched era. From the UC San Diego Design Lab to his own EDUxDesign Fellowship, Brian shares tangible ways schools can move beyond best practices and toward meaningful, student-first innovation.
Spoiler: It’s not about jumping on every AI tool. It’s about understanding the real problems you're solving—and who you're solving them for.
Guest Name: Brian LeDuc, Principal, Design Strategist + Education Consultant at Learning, Designed
Guest Social: LinkedIn
Guest Bio: Brian LeDuc is a design strategist and Principal Consultant of Learning, Designed, a consulting practice helping colleges, universities, and workforce organizations build learner-centered programs that align with the future of work. With over a decade of experience across higher ed and Fortune 500 companies, he specializes in human-centered design and community-driven change. Brian has led projects with institutions nationwide—from improving student retention and academic advising to launching innovative academic models—and currently serves as a Designer-in-Residence at UC San Diego’s Design Lab. His work has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and Higher Ed Dive. He shares stories, tips, and work in progress weekly on his Substack, Learning, Designed.
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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
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