Coaching Online Program Transformations | Drs. Andrea Marcinkus & Aaron Wijeratne – S2 E03

Coaching Online Program Transformations | Drs. Andrea Marcinkus & Aaron Wijeratne – S2 E03 Coaching online program transformations in higher education requires data-driven strategy, faculty trust, AI readiness, and strong OPM partnerships. In this episode of Coaching in Higher Education, Dr. Tim Jansa speaks with Dr. Andrea Marcinkus and Dr. Aaron Wijeratne of Boundless Learning about how colleges and universities can build sustainable, student-first online programs without sacrificing mission or academic integrity. They explore how data informs program design, how to coach faculty through resistance to market language and AI change, and why student success coaching must address life barriers, not just academic ones. This conversation highlights how great coaching builds confidence, capacity, and long-term institutional alignment. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: • Use market, learner, and employer data to guide program strategy • Align online program design with institutional mission • Coach faculty through AI disruption and assessment redesign • Address identity and emotional resistance in academic cultures • Build trust in public-private and OPM partnerships • Strengthen student retention through holistic success coaching • Develop long-term coaching models instead of one-off workshops • Balance academic integrity with market reality This episode is essential for higher education leaders, online program managers, instructional designers, executive coaches, deans, faculty developers, and consultants supporting digital transformation. 🔗 Companion site: higheredcoaching.us 🌐 Learn more: leadershipimagined.com/mpodcast 👍 If this episode adds value, please Like, Subscribe, and Share with colleagues working in higher education strategy and leadership. ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 The Rise of Data-Driven Online Program Strategy 00:44 Introducing Andrea Marcinkus & Aaron Wijeratne 02:03 Transitioning from Academia to EdTech Leadership 04:49 Student-First Strategy in Online Education 06:58 Overcoming Faculty Skepticism of OPM Partnerships 10:56 Data-Driven Decision Making vs Academic Intuition 12:27 Market Data, Employer Trends & ROI Focus 15:05 Faculty Resistance to Business Language 17:38 Coaching Faculty Through Identity & Confidence Barriers 19:34 Student Success Coaching Beyond Academics 22:58 Online Education as an Ecosystem 24:17 AI, Assessment Integrity & Curriculum Redesign 25:39 What Makes Great Coaching in OPM Work 27:21 Mission-Anchored Coaching Conversations 31:40 Final Reflections on Human-Centered Transformation 33:56 Outro coaching online program transformations, higher education online strategy, OPM partnerships higher education, data driven decision making universities, AI in higher education, faculty resistance to change, student success coaching higher ed, online program management coaching, Boundless Learning, Andrea Marcinkus, Aaron Wijeratne, Dr Tim Jansa podcast, coaching in higher education podcast, academic identity and leadership, online curriculum redesign #coachinginhighereducation, #onlineprograms, #highereducationstrategy, #AIinhighereducation, #OPM, #studentretention, #facultydevelopment, #digitaltransformation, #academicleadership, #edtech Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in these conversations are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, financial, or mental‑health advice. Leadership situations are always context‑specific, so viewers should consider their own institutional policies and consult appropriate professionals before making decisions based on this content. All guests speak from their own experience and do not represent the official position of any institution.