Practical Strategies for Driving AI Policy Adoption in Higher Ed

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 30 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, Van 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.  

Paul Morales

SVP of Information Security and Technology, Honorlock

Paul Morales leads Security and Technology at Honorlock, a leader in education technology and remote proctoring. He helps organizations make data-driven technology decisions, specializing in AI/ML and secure automation. With expertise in information security, systems analysis, and secure SDLC, Paul manages complex technology ecosystems, prioritizing technical efficiency and risk mitigation.

Paul combines traditional systems design with modern AI-driven processes to build secure, scalable environments for higher education and enterprise organizations. He implements secure procedures and technology governance, enabling institutions to adopt new tools while upholding the highest standards of integrity.

Michelle Singh

WCET Steering Committee, Vice President for Strategic Educational Alliances, University of North Texas

Dr. Michelle Singh, vice president for strategic educational alliances at the University of North Texas, is a recognized leader in learning transformation. With over two decades in higher education, she brings strategic vision to digital infusion, AI, open education, and change management. Renowned for her ecosystem approach to digital transformation, Michelle is celebrated globally for her advocacy of open education and adaptive innovation. She has led initiatives in artificial and business intelligence, data-informed strategy, and the use of OER to strengthen digital communities.

Michelle has held leadership roles with the Texas Distance Learning Association, United States Distance Learning Association, WCET, SREB Educational Technology Cooperative, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Her honors include induction into the TxDLA Hall of Fame, the USDLA International Outstanding Leadership Award, and Corpus Christi’s Top Under 40. With expertise in computer science, counseling, and educational leadership, she champions a human-centered approach to innovation in higher education. Her work consistently demonstrates a commitment to holistic, forward-thinking solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of digital learning and higher education.