Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Innovation at Community Colleges

Claire Brady, EdD is an approachable executive consultant specializing in artificial intelligence adoption and executive leadership development in higher education. Drawing from her executive experience as Vice President for Student Affairs at Lake-Sumter State College and Ana G. Méndez University, Claire brings firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today's student affairs leaders. Her leadership journey spans roles at AGMU, LSSC, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Michigan State University, and Alma College, giving her deep insight into diverse institutional contexts (public, private, community college, and HSI).

A sought-after speaker, trainer, and executive coach, she works closely with VPSAs to help them strengthen executive presence, navigate leadership transitions, and scale institutional impact.

Executive Coaching for VPSAs: Claire offers one-on-one leadership coaching designed to help VPSAs navigate complex institutional dynamics, enhance decision-making, and lead AI transformation efforts with confidence. Whether you are stepping into a new role or President, preparing for the next phase of your career, restructuring, or looking to optimize your leadership approach, Claire provides customized, results-driven coaching tailored to your unique needs.

AI & Digital Transformation Consulting: As a national thought leader in AI adoption for student affairs, Claire guides institutions in integrating ethical, practical AI solutions that enhance student success, streamline administrative processes, and improve engagement while maintaining institutional values.

A first-generation American and college graduate, Claire remains actively involved in national, regional, and local boards and associations. She holds deep expertise in student affairs restructuring, strategic planning, enrollment management, student success initiatives, digital transformations, accreditation, and organizational design.

Dr. Edward F. Martinez is the Founder and Principal of Level Up Consulting and Strategies, LLC, where he partners with leaders and organizations to strengthen their purpose, presence, and performance. Drawing on more than three decades of experience across community colleges, private institutions, residential and specialized higher education settings, Dr. Martinez provides executive coaching, inclusive excellence strategies, and transformative leadership development experiences that empower professionals and organizations to thrive. A nationally recognized thought leader, Dr. Martinez serves on the NASPA Foundation Board, is a SUNY Hispanic Leadership Fellow, and is a NASPA Pillar of the Profession Award recipient. In addition to his consulting and national leadership roles, he serves as the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Suffolk County Community College, functioning as the Senior Student Affairs Officer for the Ammerman Campus. 

For the past three years, Eddie Martinez has been actively engaged in advancing conversations about artificial intelligence in higher education, serving as both a presenter and panelist at NASPA Annual Conferences. Prior to its publication in April 2026, Eddie reviewed AI with Intention: The Leadership Guide for Higher Education, authored by Dr. Claire L. Brady, and provided a written endorsement of the book.

Dr. Brownlee is an inclusive educator who proudly served as the sixth president of the Community College of Aurora. Within the first two years of his presidency, President Brownlee has already brought about significant change and improved the student success agenda at the Community College of Aurora. These successes include CCA embarking upon its first capital project in 24 years, record-breaking capital and scholarship fundraising, the hiring of CCA’s largest and most diverse faculty ranks in the college’s history, improved student completions by more than 20%.

Dr. Mordecai publishes frequently, including serving as a columnist for EdSurge. He also teaches for Lamar University and the University of Charleston. Dr. Mordecai has been featured on several local, state, and national platforms, including the American Association of Community Colleges Community College Journal, NASPA Leadership Exchange, EdUp Experience, EdTech Magazine, and Colorado Sentinel. In 2023, Dr. Mordecai was named 40 Under 40 by the prestigious Denver Business Journal and the Community Leader of the Year by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, he was featured by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine as a “New School” leader representing the next generation of college presidents.

Dr. Scott Peska serves as Assistant Provost of Student Services at Waubonsee Community College, overseeing disability resources, admissions, athletics, records, and financial aid. He chairs the Campus Assessment Team and serves as a Title IX Deputy Coordinator. His previous roles include Dean for Students at Waubonsee and Associate Director for Orientation at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where he established the Office of Support & Advocacy following the 2008 campus shooting. Dr. Peska holds communication degrees from Illinois State University and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He teaches at NIU and serves on NASPA's IV-E regional board and the National Center for First-Year Experience advisory board.