In part two of our conversation with Dr. Shannon McCarty, Vice President of Learning and Instruction at Calbright College, we shift from Calbright’s mission to the challenges and lessons of leading innovation.

Shannon shares candidly about her leadership journey, the mentors who shaped her path, and the values she carries into her role. She reflects on how authenticity, feedback, and even humor create stronger teams, and why being open and vulnerable is key for leaders navigating change.

Highlights from this episode include:

• How to stay authentic and resilient while leading disruptive innovation.
• The cultural values that guide Calbright’s “small but mighty” team.
• The role of AI in course design, assessment, and tutoring — and why it’s about the right tech at the right time.
• Rethinking general education around “durable skills” like communication, problem solving, and digital literacy.
• Shannon’s vision for the future includes three-year degree models and integrating AI literacy across programs.

Shannon leaves us with a challenge: to know your purpose and let it guide your innovation and leadership.

In this episode of the Engaged by Design podcast, Vernon Smith and Michael Cottam reconnect with their longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Shannon McCarty, Vice President of Learning and Instruction at Calbright College.

Shannon shares her journey from faculty at Rio Salado College to leadership roles at National University and Bay Path University, and now to her work at Calbright — California’s 116th and newest community college. Together, they explore:

• How Calbright’s startup culture is challenging the status quo in higher education.
• The mission to expand equity and access through free, competency-based programs.
• The role of human-centered design and employer partnerships in creating relevant learning.
• Real-world success stories of micro-internships with companies like HubSpot that led directly to jobs.
• How Calbright is rethinking assessment and demonstration of skills to prepare students for the workforce.

Shannon reminds us that meaningful innovation isn’t about adding more technology — it’s about designing around student needs, fostering equity, and keeping the focus on outcomes.

Reflection Question for Listeners:
What lessons can you beg, borrow, or steal from Calbright that might apply to your context and your institution?

Next Episode Teaser:
In part two of our conversation, we’ll go deeper into Calbright’s team culture, the challenges of building something new, and the role of AI in shaping the future of higher education.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, we explore the Four Path Journey, the conscious habits of thriving, and the “flock logic” that turns individuals into leaderful teams.

In this follow-up to Part 1, we dive deeper into the leadership lessons inspired by nature’s most graceful display of collective intelligence, murmuration. Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, co-authors of The ABCs of Murmuration: Collective Wisdom of Nature, share practical stories and tools for building leaderful cultures in any organization.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the Four Path Journey moves leaders and teams from “me” to “we” to “us.”
• What it means to embrace an evolutionary mindset and envision murmuration in your workplace.
• The power of the conscious habits of thriving: Step Up, Step Back, and Step Together.
• Why “flock logic” favors small, connected groups—and how to apply this principle in your team.
• How TD Industries built a century-long culture of leaderful leadership.

1. Which idea from the Four Path Journey resonates most with your current leadership context?
2. How can you embrace an evolutionary mindset as you lead your team?
3. Where could stepping back create more space for others to lead?

The ABCs of Murmuration book on Amazon

Learn more at https://www.abcsofmurmuration.com

Engaged by Design Podcast: https://www.engagedbydesign.com/podcasts/engaged-by-design