Hello, I am Emily!

Emily Barnes, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Barnes with Chief of Medicine at St. Joe’s Hospital and friend of ​the university was recognized for her remarkable leadership ​throughout the pandemic

About

Emily Barnes, Ed.D., Ph.D. is a distinguished leader in the fields of artificial intelligence, education, ​and organizational transformation. As a change catalyst and one of America’s foremost academic ​innovators and administrative executives, with experience serving as a Provost, Executive Vice ​President, and Interim President, she has served in multi-faceted roles across education and ​corporate sectors.

Currently serving as the Senior Content Strategist, UX/UI at Core Education, Barnes is an ​accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative research, ​user experience (UX) design, and leadership in higher education. Dr. Barnes has managed broad ​portfolios of projects, ensuring their success through strong client relationships and actionable AI-​centric guidance.

In previous roles, including Chief AI and Innovation Officer at Edapted, Chief Digital Learning Officer ​at Lindenwood University, and Provost & EVPAA at Cleary University, she has led significant ​technological and educational transformations. These initiatives have improved operational ​efficiency, student retention, and financial stability, particularly during critical periods such as the ​shift to remote operations during the pandemic where she led a campus community from on-​ground operations to remote learning and working in less than 4 hours.

Emily is an experienced executive who connects with mission and business of higher education to ​advancing technologies, spearheading innovative initiatives that bridge the gap between the ​infallible traditions of higher education with the essential adaptations of contemporary student ​needs, technology, and societal advancements. Dr. Barnes holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from ​Capitol Technology University, an EdD in Leadership from Maryville University, an MS in Library and

Information Sciences from IUPUI, and a BA in Humanities and Philosophy from Indiana University. ​Certified in multiple advanced AI and machine learning disciplines, Dr. Barnes is a proven expert in ​developing AI-driven solutions and strategic educational frameworks.

At a Glance

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence
• EdD in Higher Education Leadership
  
• 15+ years experience in quantitative and qualitative research studies, user experience (UX), field research (specimen, sample, and data collection), product ​research, program research, and mixed studies.
• 13 years experience overseeing undergraduate and graduate programs, accreditation, and assessment.
• 10+ years of executive leadership as president, VP, Provost, and COO of three not-for-profit institutions.
• 10+ years leading cross-discipline teams ranging from customer-facing to back of the house teams including DevOps, finance, IT, student and academic ​services, marketing, enrollment, intake and records, technology infrastructure, market analysis, digital learning, and institutional effectiveness and assessment.
• 10+ years developing and executing institution-wide strategic plans, including institutional planning for enterprise AI, data strategy, institutional effectiveness, ​and assessment.
• 8+ years in UX design research and user testing for applications, interface design, and user environments.
• 5+ years securing significant research grants and philanthropic funding through compelling research proposals and strategic partnerships.
• Proficient in programming languages (Python, R), experience with TensorFlow and PyTorch, and training AI technologies.
  

Education

Experience

Chief Digital Learning Officer

As the Chief Digital Learning Officer and founding Dean of Lindenwood Global, I led the strategic vision and execution ​of digital learning initiatives within the organization. My responsibilities encompassed a range of critical areas, ​including content development and AI and Data Management strategy, stakeholder engagement, and technology ​integration. As the Chief Digital Learning Officer, I led the strategic vision and execution of digital learning initiatives ​within the organization. My responsibilities encompassed a range of critical areas, including content development and ​AI strategy, stakeholder engagement, and technology integration.

Chief AI and Innovation Officer

I lead the strategic development and execution of AI-powered automation systems across educational institutions, ​supporting the delivery of diverse learning opportunities such as programs, courses, credentials, and micro-​credentials. Manage the implementation of LMS platforms, collaborate with SMEs and partners to develop course ​content, and analyze data to identify patterns and solutions for client challenges. Manage a broad portfolio of ​projects, providing clients with actionable AI-centric guidance, conducting market research, and designing engaging ​educational materials while developing and deploying scalable AI and ML solutions in operational environments.

Provost & EVP of Academic Affairs

I oversaw operations, including all budgets, strategic marketing, faculty and curriculum development, education ​technology, academic and student affairs, athletics and student life, accreditation, and assessment of institutional ​effectiveness. As an academic thought leader with an extensive background in design, ed-tech, and technology, I lead ​digital education initiatives, technology and pedagogical advancement, and the creation of unique approaches to ​teaching and student engagement.

Interim President & Provost

Served as the 11th president (interim) of Cleary University, publicly assuming office in May 2020. I am the University’s ​first female provost and first female interim president. I managed multimillion dollar budgets, owned P&L targets, ​monitored cash flow, and managed capital, including the build of a student commons, eSport arena, state-of-the art ​food service and dining facility.

Dean, Instruction and Learning

I oversaw the development of policies, metrics, and procedures to track student information, enrollment status, ​retention, and student life cycle activities. In this role, I built an innovative academic approach now known as the ​Cleary Mind, a unique curriculum designed for institution-wide implementation, including all areas of student life. I led ​the campus-wide implementation of Canvas, a new-to-Cleary learning management system, and redesigned programs ​and tech-inclusive custom courses.

Previous Roles Include:

Various Organizations: COO and Director of Innovation, Principal Researcher, ​Technical Writer, Regional Director of Libraries, Campus Librarian

Dr. Barnes with a 102 temp while entertaining ​donors at a university fundraiser

Capturing the infallible sense of humor of the ​Chair of the Board of Trustees

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin presenting me with ​a Congressional Recognition award

Scholarship and Publications

Media

Skills

Leadership & Management Skills

• Strategic Planning: Ability to define and drive ​long-term organizational goals.
  
• Financial Management: Expertise in budgeting, ​financial analysis, and cost control.
  
• Change Management: Leading and managing ​organizational change initiatives.
  
• Decision-Making: Ability to make informed, ​strategic decisions.
  
• Risk Management: Identifying, analyzing, and ​mitigating risks to the organization.
  
• Operational Management: Overseeing daily ​operations to ensure efficiency and ​effectiveness.
  
• Talent Management: Attracting, developing, and ​retaining top talent.
  
• Stakeholder Engagement: Building and ​maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.
  
• Corporate Governance: Ensuring compliance ​with laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
  
• Performance Management: Setting objectives, ​monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes.
  

Research Skills

• Quantitative Research: Designing and ​conducting experiments, surveys, and data ​analysis.
  
• Qualitative Research: Gathering and analyzing ​non-numerical data through interviews, focus ​groups, etc.
  
• Literature Review: Systematically reviewing and ​synthesizing existing research.
  
• Data Collection and Analysis: Gathering data ​through various methods and analyzing it using ​tools like SPSS, Python, or R.
  
• Statistical Analysis: Applying statistical methods ​to interpret data and draw conclusions.
  
• Grant Writing: Securing research funding ​through well-written proposals.
  
• Research Design: Planning and structuring ​research studies to answer specific questions.
  
• Academic Writing: Producing scholarly articles, ​papers, and reports for publication.
  
• Ethics in Research: Ensuring research adheres to ​ethical standards and guidelines.
  
• Presentation Skills: Communicating research ​findings effectively to various audiences.
  

Technology Skills

• Machine Learning (ML): Designing, ​implementing, and optimizing ML algorithms ​and models.
  
• Programming Languages: Proficiency in ​languages such as Python, Java, C++, and R.
  
• Data Analysis: Using tools like Python, SQL, and ​Excel for data manipulation and analysis.
  
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Developing and ​deploying AI-based solutions.
  
• Cloud Computing: Working with cloud platforms ​such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
  
• Database Management: Expertise in SQL, ​NoSQL, and database design.
  
• Software Development: Full-stack development ​skills, including front-end and back-end ​technologies.
  
• Automation: Implementing automated systems ​and processes using tools like Selenium, Jenkins, ​etc.
  
• DevOps: Managing CI/CD pipelines, version ​control, and containerization using Docker and ​Kubernetes.
  
• Cybersecurity: Knowledge of security protocols, ​risk assessment, and threat mitigation.
  

Leadership Skills

• Visionary Leadership: Inspiring and guiding ​teams towards a shared vision.
  
• Team Building: Creating, developing, and leading ​high-performing teams.
  
• Communication: Effectively conveying ideas and ​information across all levels of the organization.
  
• Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and ​managing emotions in oneself and others.
  
• Conflict Resolution: Addressing and resolving ​conflicts in a constructive manner.
  
• Mentoring and Coaching: Providing guidance and ​support for professional development.
  
• Influence and Persuasion: Leading others ​towards desired outcomes through influence.
  
• Decision-Making: Balancing data-driven insights ​with intuition to make sound decisions.
  
• Adaptability: Leading effectively in the face of ​changing circumstances and challenges.
  
• Ethical Leadership: Upholding high ethical ​standards and fostering a culture of integrity.
  

Content Development Skills

• Instructional Design: Creating educational ​programs, courses, and learning materials.
  
• Curriculum Development: Designing and ​structuring academic courses and training ​programs.
  
• Technical Writing: Producing clear, concise ​documentation, guides, and manuals.
  
• E-Learning Development: Using tools like ​Articulate, Captivate, or Blackboard to create ​online courses.
  
• Multimedia Design: Creating and editing audio, ​video, and graphics for content delivery.
  
• Content Strategy: Planning and executing ​content creation aligned with organizational ​goals.
  
• Assessment Design: Developing tests, quizzes, ​and other assessment tools.
  
• Editing and Proofreading: Ensuring content is ​error-free and adheres to standards.
  
• Learning Management Systems (LMS): ​Proficiency in platforms like Moodle, Canvas, or ​Blackboard.
  
• SEO Content Writing: Creating content ​optimized for search engines.
  

Email

ebarnes@core.edu

ejbarnes035@gmail.com