AI Applications in Online Higher Education Administration

AI is reshaping higher education-fast. This book brings together faculty, instructional designers, technologists, and academic leaders who are on the front lines of that change. Their chapters offer honest reflections, practical examples, and thoughtful perspectives on how AI is influencing course design, assessment, student support, policy, and leadership. Rather than hype or fear, the contributors offer grounded insight: what it takes to integrate AI in ways that are ethical, equitable, and truly student-centered. They explore both opportunities and risks, with an eye toward long-term impact-not just short-term solutions. Whether you're charting an institutional AI strategy or simply trying to understand what's ahead, this collection is a timely guide. It doesn't treat AI as a magic fix, but as a tool-one that, when used wisely, can help higher education become more human, not less.

Kathleen S. Ives, D.M. Kathleen Ives is Chief Business Development Officer and Senior Vice President at UPCEA, where she leads strategy across membership, partnerships, research, finance, and HR. A former CEO of the Online Learning Consortium, she has spent her career at the forefront of emerging technology in both higher education and the corporate world. Kathleen has co-edited two books on ROI and eLearning transformation, and, in addition to this volume, she brings decades of leadership to digital innovation in education. Marie A. Cini, Ph.D. Marie Cini is a leader in innovation and adult learning in higher ed. She currently serves as Provost at the University of the People, a nonprofit, tuition-free, online institution dedicated to expanding educational access worldwide. She previously served as Provost at University of Maryland Global Campus and was the president of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Marie has received several honors in her career including the 2025 Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning, presented by UPCEA. Ray Schroeder, M.S. Ray Schroeder is an internationally recognized expert in online learning and AI in higher education. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield and Senior Fellow at UPCEA. Author of the bi-weekly column "Online: Trending Now" in Inside Higher Ed, Ray regularly advises institutions and speaks at global conferences. His blog-distributed curated reading lists and LinkedIn commentary reflect decades of leadership at the intersection of tech, teaching, and learning.

Section 1: Foundations of AI in Online Learning 1. How AI is Transforming the Online Learning Landscape 2. The Economics of AI-Driven Online Learning: Cost Structures and ROI 3. Ethical Considerations and Challenges in AI-Enhanced Online Learning Section 2: AI-Powered Student Recruitment, Enrollment, and Onboarding 4. Artificial Intelligence Employed in Student Recruitment 5. AI-Assisted Admissions and Enrollment Management 6. Optimizing Student Onboarding with AI Section 3: AI-Enhanced Student Engagement, Retention, and Success 7. Personalized Learning Experiences with AI 8. AI-Powered Student Support and Advising in Online Higher Education 9. AI, Retention, and the Changing Face of Student Success Section 4: AI-Driven Instructional Design, Content Creation, and Assessment 10. AI-Assisted Course Design and Development 11. Leveraging AI Chatbots to Support Authentic and Inclusive Learning Experiences 12. AI-Enhanced Assessment and Feedback Section 5: AI-Powered Institutional Transformation and Future Trends 13. A4L: An Architecture for AI-Augmented Learning 14. Developing a Culture of AI Readiness in Higher Education 15. Operational Considerations for AI Implementation in Higher Education 16. Future Trends and Emerging Technologies for AI in Online Learning