Higher education leaders discuss AI, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future at panel

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Maryland’s higher education landscape continues to evolve to meet modern students’ changing needs — from workforce readiness to funding, industry partnerships, delivery models and legislative policy.

A Daily Record webinar on higher education featured three experts in the field: Dr. Maarten Pereboom, dean of Salisbury University’s Fulton School of Liberal Arts and a history professor; Hung-bin Ding, associate dean of academics and professor of management at Loyola University of Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business; and Vickie Mazer, dean of graduate and professional studies at McDaniel College.

The Thursday webinar, sponsored by Salisbury University, was moderated by The Daily Record’s editor, Kendyl Kearly.

Addressing the why

Pereboom, Ding and Mazer all agreed on the enduring value of higher education in today’s climate.

“People get critical on how it translates to the income of a first job, but actually, it’s for the first, second, third, retirement and even sometimes afterward,” Ding said. “It’s often the last of the formal education that one receives.”

He added that the college environment five to- ten years ago looked very different compared to today. “Pedagogy has changed, and student support has changed,” he said.

Mazer said that earning a bachelor’s degree translates to lower unemployment rates and that peer networks developed in college can last a lifetime.

“An investment in education is also an investment in the future of our state,” Pereboom said.

The impact of AI

When Kearly addressed the challenge of artificial intelligence in the college environment, Ding emphasized the importance of clear communication.

“We have to make our policies clear to students,” he said, adding that the faculty is continually amazed at the maturity of the students in accepting those policies. Ding said this also applies to teachers. “AI can be used to customize classes, but not to grade papers.”

Mazer said AI is something McDaniel embraces, embedding it in the curriculum while stressing ethical use.

“We still need students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” she said.

Faculty members at Salisbury University are also grappling with the issue thoughtfully, Pereboom said.

“The workforce doesn’t need people who can simply use prompts — it needs those who can use it appropriately and ethically,” he said.

Student support

On a question of nontraditional students, all three speakers stressed the importance of strong support systems.

Ding pointed to programs for first-generation students, including early immersion and bridge programs that help ease the transition into college life.

Mazer highlighted the need to meet students where they are, particularly adult learners.

“You can create community in an online environment with virtual classroom learning and wraparound services,” she said.

Workforce development

Pereboom said Salisbury University’s mission includes strengthening communication skills, technological literacy and experiential learning all tied to workforce development.

Ding noted Loyola’s partnership with industry leaders, which have helped expand program offerings in fields like insurance, risk management and construction management.

Mazer cited an undergrad nursing program developed in 2024 and new courses in speech language pathology and occupational therapy. A renovation is underway at McDaniel’s Merritt Hall to support the additional programming.

“It will enable occupational therapists to work in teams,” she said, adding the college is also focusing on teacher pipelines and professional development programs.

A capital project in Salisbury’s plans is a dedicated space for the performing arts that will be built downtown, aiming to bolster the arts landscape outside Baltimore.

“It aligns beautifully with our community-engaged campus and will include music, theater and dance, and we hope that it will be hopping year-round,” Pereboom said.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future

All three institutions are aligning with the priorities of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a sweeping, multiyear overhaul of the state’s public education system. Passed in 2021, it’s a long-term strategy to make schools more competitive nationally and meet workforce needs.

Ding cited initiatives like summer immersion programs and a “mini-MBA” series for high schoolers, in line with the Blueprint’s emphasis on college readiness.

Mazer said that the Blueprint prompted McDaniel to begin thinking about the pipeline that starts in middle school.

“We are in an age of information overload and sorting through that maze to get into college can be overwhelming, especially for first gen, so we created a Carroll County scholars’ program that starts in the eighth grade and helps them seek out that information.”

Pereboom said the Blueprint has done a good job of opening up the conversations as to what is needed, like earning credits for experience in the trades.

“AI can’t fix your HVAC or plumbing issues, so we’re rethinking how marrying liberal arts and marketing with HVAC, plumbing and masonry will be beneficial, for example,” he said.

Pereboom also hopes that the Blueprint, which sets salaries for incoming teachers, will attract more to the field.

As higher education continues to adapt, the panel made clear that flexibility, ethical innovation and strong ties to workforce needs will define its path forward.