Human-Centered AI: The Key to Effective Next-Gen Courses

Joana Jebsen

SVP Learning Solutions & Strategy, LearningMate

As SVP, learning solutions and strategy at LearningMate, Joana leads the global learning design team and works on growth strategy for Higher Ed, Workforce, and Corporate. Her focus is on leading the team to create innovative learning design and scaled online program development in higher ed and workforce development. Since she joined the company, LearningMate has articulated the first ever AI-informed learning design framework, ENGAGE, and is at the forefront of AI-enabled curriculum development and personalization. Formerly the president of O’Donnell Learn, a learning experience company, Joana has partnered with a wide range of universities and workforce organizations over the past fifteen years, helping them with digital transformation. Her passion is helping adult learners be successful and thrive in life.

Kemi Jona

Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation, University of Virginia

Dr. Kemi Jona is the vice provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation at the University of Virginia where he collaborates with partners across Grounds to refine and implement the University’s digital education strategy, helping to shape UVA’s vision for online education and seamless, lifelong learning pathways for all learners. Dr. Jona has worked at the forefront of the learning sciences and learning technologies fields for over 25 years. He is a thought leader in applying insights from cognitive and learning sciences to the design of technology-mediated learning environments and in developing innovative partnerships and pathways to increase access to opportunity.

Shubha Kumar

Associate Vice Provost for Online Education, University of Southern California

Shubha Kumar is associate vice provost of online education at the University of Southern California (USC) and associate professor of global health at the USC Keck School of Medicine. She is a leading researcher and practitioner of impact evaluation and has led social return on investment (SROI) analyses and training around the globe and consulted on these subjects for UN agencies, governments, and NGOs. As AVP, she leads the advancement of strategies that enhance online education at USC, collaborating across USC’s schools and colleges and external and internal partners.

Prior to her appointment as AVP, Kumar served as director of education & training and director of operations at the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, and she was founding director of USCʼs Master of Public Health online program which she oversaw for ten years. She continues to oversee online program initiatives for the Department of Population & Public Health Sciences. She is both an intrapreneur and entrepreneur.

Stuart Vanorny

Associate VP Learning Design, LearningMate

At LearningMate, Stuart oversees the creation of courses and content for colleges, universities, non-profits, and corporate partners across the country. Stuart has over 25 years of experience in K-12 and higher education leadership, instructional design, and educational technology. Previously, Stuart was the vice president of instructional design and academic technology at Zenith Education Group and chief design officer at Everest College Phoenix. He was also a college professor for 15 years. He currently lives in Woodridge, IL, where he serves as president of the Woodridge 68 Board of Education.

Van Davis

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

vdavis@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

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, focused on using digital learning for equitable outcomes. 

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’s 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.  

Please reach out with media inquiries or if you are interested in speaking with Van. 

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.