AI Policy in Practice: WCET Survey Insights

Samuel Jay

Executive Director of Online Learning, Emergent Technology & Academic Transformation, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Samuel M. Jay is a higher education leader with over a decade of experience spanning both academic administration and classroom instruction. He currently serves as executive director of digital learning at MSU Denver, where he leads online learning as well as the University’s integration of innovative technologies—such as artificial intelligence and virtual/augmented reality—into academic and operational systems to improve learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness. In this role, Samuel spearheads strategic initiatives, facilitates cross-functional collaboration, and designs professional development programs that empower faculty and staff to engage with emerging technologies. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Samuel is a professor of Communication Studies, with a teaching and research focus on rhetoric and media/cultural studies.

Cynthia Pascal

Associate Vice President of eLearning, Northern Virginia Community College, NOVA Online

Dr. Cynthia Pascal is the associate vice president of eLearning at Northern Virginia Community College’s online division, overseeing faculty services, instructional design, student services, and educational technology support services for over 550 faculty and 35,000 asynchronous students. She and her team prioritize inclusive, culturally responsive practices to promote student success through authentic engagement and open pedagogy. When not serving NOVA, she supports higher education leaders in designing holistic support services, policies, and practices to better serve marginalized and non-traditional populations.

Judith Sebesta

Founder and Principal, Sebesta Education Consulting LLC

judith@sebestaeducationconsulting.com

@JudithSebestaLinkedIn Profile

Judith Sebesta is the founder and principal at Sebesta Education Consulting LLC. She also serves as president of the Executive Council for the Community College Consortium for OER and is on the Board of Directors for the international Open Education conference. Prior to consulting she held roles at ISKME Labs/OER Commons, the Digital Higher Education Consortium of Texas, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Before shifting her career focus to the broader landscape of policy and practice in open education, innovation, and digital education, Judith enjoyed a fifteen-year career as a university professor and administrator.  

Van Davis

Executive Director, WCET & Vice President, Digital Learning, WICHE

vdavis@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Expertise Includes:

• Artificial Intelligence,
• Policy and Practice,
• Federal and State Distance Education Policy,
• Degree Completion Initiatives,
• Competency-based Education,
• the Cost and Price of Distance Education, and,
• the Future of Higher Education and Digital Learning.  

Bio

Van Davis joined WCET in 2021 as chief strategy officer, and in 2025, he became WCET’s executive director and WICHE’s vice president for digital learning. Davis oversees all strategic and operational responsibilities of WCET’s membership, the State Authorization Network (SAN) that assists institutions with interstate compliance, and Every Learner Everywhere, which advocates for successful academic outcomes for all postsecondary education students through advances in digital learning. 

Van has over 25 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, academic administrator, state policy maker, and edtech leader. He holds a Master’s and PhD in 20th Century US history with an emphasis in civil rights from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor’s in history from Southwestern University. Prior to joining WCET and WICHE, Davis served as principal at Foghlam Consulting, associate vice president at Blackboard Inc., director of innovation at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and a faculty member and academic administrator at several public and private universities with historically underrepresented student populations.  

Van lives outside of Austin, Texas, and will relocate to WICHE headquarters in Boulder, CO, later this summer with his beloved wife, Lisa, and two cats. When not working, Van collects Lego models and dreams of the day he can complete his western US camping trip.