From Classroom to Career: Navigating AI in the Modern Workforce

Clare Forstie, Dean of Academic Effectiveness and Innovation, Saint Paul College
Clare Forstie is the Dean of Academic Effectiveness and Innovation at Saint Paul College, where they lead initiatives focused on assessing and enhancing student learning, curriculum, and faculty and staff development. Clare’s areas of leadership in teaching include inclusive and critical pedagogies, technology in education, and student and instructor well-being. Clare earned a PhD in sociology from Northwestern University in 2017 and has served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles across a range of higher education institutions. 

Heidi Johnson, ECMC Group
Heidi Johnson is the Chief of Staff for ECMC Group, (COS) and works with the executive leadership team in the planning and coordination of strategic, highly complex activities across the organization. In addition to her COS role, she leads the Records and Information Management Committee and is the co-executive sponsor of ECMC Group’s Office of AI, ECMC’s Women Thriving Network Group as well as our Wellbeing network. Most recently, she has been focused on developing a strategy for ECMC Group to expand its support of underserved learners, particularly age 16-24 youth. Her efforts have resulted in the development of three youth-centered concepts – developed by young adults of color for young adults of color – to create solutions to catalyze their valuable engagement in education and workforce ecosystems.

Serving on the Generation Next Leadership and ConnextMSP leadership counsels, EdNorth, and the Executive Committee of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Heidi sees firsthand where the intersection between youth and workforce can be optimized.

Heidi is also Project Management Professional certified, has obtained her Six Sigma Black Belt, and several other IT related certifications.

Mindy Travers, Business Faculty, Human Resources, Saint Paul College
Mindy Travers is a dedicated faculty member at Saint Paul College, where she directs the Human Resources degree program. With 18 years of teaching experience, she has developed and instructed a wide range of courses in business and HR, bringing both a commitment to equity and practical insights to the classroom.

Mindy holds an MBA from Bemidji State University, a Master’s degree in Management from Hamline University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Saint Mary’s University. She recently earned the Artificial Intelligence + Human Intelligence specialty credential from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), reflecting her commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in the HR field.

Throughout her career, Mindy has been deeply committed to enhancing workplace environments and advocating for employee well-being. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.

 

Sonya Zuker, Vice President of Information Technology and Institutional Effectiveness, Saint Paul College
Sonya Zuker is the Vice President of Information Technology and Institutional Effectiveness at Saint Paul College, serving in that role since January 2024. Prior to that, she served as the Director of User Services at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College for five-and-a-half years. Born at the end of the Vietnam War and adopted from Saigon by a Korean-American family, she brings a powerful perspective as a bi-racial refugee and lifelong learner. Her experiences with identity, racism, and cultural duality fuel her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and has focused on inclusive learning environments and organizational change, while dedicating her career to creating supportive spaces for students, faculty, and staff. She has demonstrated passion for educational equity and building strong, inclusive school communities. Sonya holds a Doctorate of Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Education Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from American College of